Reliability-Based Geotechnical Design

Introduction 

Because of its large inherent uncertainty, geotechnical engineering is increasingly moving towards reliability-based design. This means designs which account for the random nature of the ground in a rational fashion and are aimed to achieve a societally acceptable lifetime reliability. The short course begins by reviewing basic probability theory and the probabilistic modelling of the ground. We then review reliability-based design and how it is currently implemented in geotechnical design codes of practice. The short course will finish by looking at future trends in reliability-based geotechnical design.

Topics Covered

• Basic probability theory
• Introduction to random variables
• Probabilistic modelling of geotechnical systems
• Review of reliability-based design
• Reliability assessment and factored design (LRFD and partial factor approaches)
• Implementation of reliability-based design in practice (limit states, level of understanding, severity of failure consequences)
• Future challenges

Speakers

• Gordon A. Fenton (Dalhousie University, Canada)
• Timo Schweckendiek (Deltares, The Netherlands)