Shrink swell soil causes significant pressure on foundations, roads, and other infrastructure, with a high expansion volume when wet and high shrinkage when dry. TRB hosted a webinar on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern that shared innovative findings and the state of practice for foundations in shrink swell soil. Presenters shared research findings on the uplift of drilled shafts and pressure on retaining walls due to these soils. Presenters also discussed the pile load transfer mechanism in unsaturated shrink swell soil and practical aspects of deep foundation design.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Standing Technical Committee on Foundations of Bridges and Other Structures.
The slides are available. Please contact trbwebinar@nas.edu for a link to the recording. There may be a $90 fee.
 
Webinar agenda and presenters

• Uplift on drilled shaft in shrink-swell soils – Jean Louis Briaud, Texas A&M University
• Deep foundation design practice – Shailendra Endley, Intertek-PSI
• Pile load transfer mechanism in unsaturated shrink swell soils – Sai Vanapalli, University of Ottawa
• Question and answer session moderated by Sharid Amiri, California Department of Transportation

The first 60 minutes of the webinar were for presentations and the final 30 minutes were reserved for audience questions.
 
Learning Objectives
At the end of this webinar, participants can:

• Clarify the nature of uplift loading on drilled shafts
• Understand the pile load transfer mechanism in unsaturated shrink swell soil
• Use deep foundation design in shrink swell soil

 
Professional Development Hours
This webinar was delivered as a scheduled – e-learning live event and is categorized within RCEP as Technical, Health and Safety.
Professional Development Hours (PDHs) earned on completion of this program were reported to the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP). Certificates of Completion are issued to all participants via the RCEP.net online system. Complaints about registered providers may be addressed to RCEP, 1015 15th Street, NW, 8th Fl., Washington, DC, 20005.