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Validating Ground Stabilisation Efforts with InSAR

Robroyston, Glasgow, UK

  • Soft peat pockets needed deep ground improvements to support a new road embankment. 

  • Tensar proposed its much more cost-effective Stratum solution but needed a way to predict differential settlement of the embankment. 

  • Satellite InSAR data was analysed to provide post-construction embankment settlement data along the entire embankment length to complement or substitute for in-situ measurements.

  • The Stratum system was up to the job and saved Glasgow City Council £500k of deep ground improvement.

Highlights

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satellite InSAR results of Robroyston

The Challenge

Traditional methods for assessing geohazard susceptibility across extensive road networks are often slow, costly, and reliant on subjective visual assessments. These conventional approaches can also pose safety risks to both users and maintenance personnel. To overcome these challenges, a pioneering pilot study was conducted on the Cyprus road network using InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) analysis, offering a transformative approach to geohazard identification.

 

The use of InSAR enabled rapid and objective detection of multiple geohazards across the road network, significantly improving the accuracy and efficiency of monitoring. One notable example is at Petra tou Romiou, where persistent road cracking had resisted resolution despite repeated pavement resurfacing efforts. InSAR analysis provided a breakthrough by identifying larger-scale mass movements as the underlying cause of the road cracking, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.

 

Armed with these insights, targeted measures were implemented to address the root geohazard, ensuring a more sustainable and effective solution for the road network. This innovative use of InSAR for geohazard susceptibility analysis demonstrates its potential to revolutionise road network monitoring, offering improved safety, cost savings, and long-term infrastructure stability.

satellite InSAR results of Robroyston

Following an extensive review of the site investigation data, we devised a set of geological scenarios to consider rather than on single ground model due to the variability and uncertainty in ground conditions. We prepared a 3D FEA model of the entire embankment to predict both transverse and longitudinal differential settlements, including those due to creep strains in the peat.

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The peer-reviewed Stratum characterisation method for FEA that we developed as part of our R&D work with Tensar allowed us to predict the performance of this ground improvement solution.

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We analysed InSAR data to provide post-construction embankment settlement data along the entire embankment length that both confirmed the HPG data and provided new information between the functioning HPG locations. These measurements also showed that settlements were within the ranges predicted for the different geological scenarios and we recommended that the settlement mitigation measures were not necessary.

The Solution

satellite InSAR results of Robroyston

The Stratum system saved Glasgow City Council £500k compared with other deep ground improvement options, as well as having a lower environmental impact and being quicker to build. Tensar were able to demonstrate the effectiveness of their proposed ground solution for this specific site by scientifically rigorous methods. Verification of performance of the constructed solution over the entire length without costly in-situ surveys.

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The project partners, including Geofem, were able to present the results of their collective efforts as finalists at the 2020 Fleming Award hosted by the British Geotechnical Association.

satellite InSAR results of Robroyston

The Benefits

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