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Author: Eden Telila

Supervisor: Prof. Wojciech Solowski

Advisor(s)/Co-supervisors: Matias Napari, MSc and Lasse Kudsk, MSc (Ramboll)

Funding: Ramboll Finland Oy

Abstract:

In Finland, geotechnical designers often use Novapoint in Civil 3D to access ground investigation database. They retrieve field vane test (Siipileikkauskoe) results to manually calculate reduced undrained shear strength. This process is time-consuming, prone to error, and hard to manage when working with large datasets or multiple cross-sections. Also, the absence of visualisation of the reduced undrained shear strength on the soundings makes clay layer definition difficult. In addition, the effect of the stress state is often overlooked in designs.

This thesis addresses these challenges by developing a tool named “Su from FVT”. The tool extracts data, handles missing values, and supports three different reduction methods. It also provides visualization of Su across stress states. The tool applies interpolation or empirical correlations derived from Finnish soil databases. The fineness number from the correlation model tends to be higher, which can over-estimate strength if not carefully reviewed.

The study adopts a design science research approach to design, develop and evaluate the tool with a case study to illustrate its performance in terms of time, precision, and reproducibility. On average, it takes 30 seconds for the tool to process a typical task, using about 60 MB of memory. The case study showed a 60% reduction in calculation time for the studied cross-section. It also emphasized the importance of observing soil strength across stress states to support designers make project-specific choices. Relying only on field vane test-based undrained shear strength for all types of designs could lead to under or over estimation of soil strength.

Overall, the tool helps to quickly estimate and assess undrained shear strength from field vane test. However, its reliability depends on the quality of the correlation models and the completeness of the input data. Hence, designers must always review the outputs against local conditions.

Author: Anna Grönroos

Supervisor: Jussi Leveinen, Aalto-yliopisto

Advisor(s): Iiro Lindgren, Ramboll Finland Oy

Funding: Aalto-yliopisto and Ramboll Finland Oy  

Abstract:

The objective of this master’s thesis was to examine the requirements and guidelines for Building Information Modeling (BIM) in building geotechnical design with a particular focus on model scope, level of detail, and content. The guidelines of five different entities were compared to each other and to Talogeotekniikan tietomalliohje (YTV 2021 part 15). The entities included the cities of Helsinki, Vantaa, and Espoo, as well as two different construction companies.  Furthermore, the research explored the impacts of the new Building Act and the forthcoming decree from the Ministry of the Environment on the modeling of building geotechnics.  Special attention was given to the modeling of excavations and drainage systems. Additionally, the potential of parametric modeling in the design of excavations and drainage systems was investigated.

The research was conducted using a mixed-method approach. A literature review and analysis established the theoretical framework for guideline comparison, while data gathered from an online survey and semi-structured thematic interviews provided insights into the perspectives of industry practitioners. To practically explore parametric modeling, two parametric modeling tools were developed using Rhinoceros 3D software and its Grasshopper plugin.

It was observed that the implementation of Talogeotekniikan tietomalliohje has been minimal. The requirements in the entities' own guidelines were found to be either more stringent or more limited compared to Talogeotekniikan tietomalliohje. Differences were also noted between municipalities and companies, stemming from their respective operational contexts and objectives. While Talogeotekniikan tietomalliohje has the potential to standardize geotechnical modeling practices, its current application is not widespread. The BIM-based building permit process is anticipated to significantly enhance the modeling of building geotechnics. According to the interviews and internet survey, 3D models were determined to support visualization, coordination, and mass calculations, although they do not yet fully replace 2D plans. Parametric modeling emerged as a promising solution for the evolving design needs of excavations and drainage systems.

Author: Siiri Kutvonen

Supervisor: Prof. Jussi Leveinen

Advisors: DI Ilona Häkkinen, DI Samuli Tikkanen 

Funding: A-Insinöörit Suunnittelu Oy

Abstract:

Tikkurilan toimistotalon kellarikaivantoa tutkittaessa huomattiin, että kaivantoon tulevan veden määrä pieneni, mitä syvemmälle tukiseinän alapää ulottui. Samalla tavalla hydraulinen gradientti kaivannon pohjalla pieneni, kun tukiseinä oli syvemmällä. Kaivannon pohjan hydraulista murtumaa ei millään tukiseinän syvyydellä tapahtunut. Kaivoyhtälö kerrottiin korjauskertoimella, joka otti huomioon tukiseinän peittävyyden ja virtausmatkan kasvun pohjavesikerroksessa. Korjauskertoimella kerrotun kaivoyhtälön tulokset kaivantoon tulevan veden määrästä olivat pienempiä kuin Plaxiksella saadut tulokset.

Maan vedenläpäisevyyden arvo vaikuttaa laskentatuloksiin kaikkein olennaisimmin. Sen määrittäminen tehtiin työssä ödometrikokeiden, näytteiden sekä kirjallisuusarvojen avulla. Pohjaveden virtauksen tarkastelemiseen 2D-FEM-laskentaan perustuva Plaxis osoittautui hyvin toimivaksi. Kaivoyhtälöllä voidaan saada karkea arvio kaivantoon virtaavan pohjaveden määrästä, mutta tuettua kaivantoa on haastavaa käsitellä kaivoyhtälöllä.

Author: Salome Kallio

Supervisor: Professor of Practice Topias Siren

Advisor(s): MSc. Tech Antti Matikainen

Abstract:

The objective of this Master’s Thesis was to determine the most effective methods for managing earthworks mass balance in civil engineering and infrastructure projects from the contractor’s perspective. A further objective was to evaluate the applicability of a developed calculation tool in case projects. The focus was on implementation-phase methods that reduce costs and emissions. 

The study comprises a literature review on mass balance optimization methods and an applied section. In the applied section, a novel tool which uses Open Route Service matrix routing data was developed. The tool was evaluated in six infrastructure project case studies, and its performance was compared with established methods. 

The results indicate that the most significant way to reduce emissions and costs is the local reuse of excavated soils that are suitable for utilization. For soils that cannot be reused, the key factors are the selection of disposal sites and the optimization of transport routes. In the case studies the routes selected in the projects were most often among the most cost-efficient calculated routes. This finding supports the reliability of the tool. It was also observed that the most cost-efficient route is not often the one with the lowest emissions. Based on the case-studies the choosing routes based on emission minimization would have increased total costs on the studied routes by an average of 12 %. This corresponds to an increase of approximately 2–3 % in total project costs. 

Based on the observations, the developed tool is adaptable and easy to implement in organizations with basic skills in Geographic Information Systems. Its greatest value is in the ability to quickly evaluate several different route combinations, considering costs and environmental impacts of the routes. The tool can be developed further and applied to support contractor decision-making and for example in municipal-level land use planning.