Speaker(s): Dr. Ronaldo Luna, PE, PhD, BC.GE, Professor and Senior Consultant, Saint Louis University / Luna Consulting, LLC
PDH’s: This webinar is eligible for 2 PDH credits
Void ratio (e) is a term used extensively in soil mechanics. It is a fundamental ratio that quantifies the changes in volume taking place in a soil mass. Earthen dams are constructed with soils that hold back water over a long period of time, even though they are made of pervious materials. The embankment and foundation soils may differ in composition and density. This webinar will introduce void ratio (e) and its use in assessing the performance of an earth dam throughout investigation, design, and construction. Other soil mechanics concepts discussed as they relate to void ratio are relative density, proctor compaction, permeability, consolidation, and shear strength.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understand the fundamental definition of void ratio.
2. Learn how void ratio relates to other more complex soil parameters.
3. Become familiar with the multiple uses void ratio in earth dam engineering.
4. Introduce more advanced concepts in soil mechanics for earth dams, such as consolidation, shear strength, and critical void ratio.