Panama Canal’s Volcanic Tuff - Remolded Strength
Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Major
Civil Engineering
Research Advisor
Luna, Ronaldo
Advisor's Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Funding Source
Missouri S&T Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) Program
Abstract
The Panama Canal was completed in 1914. Now for the proposed widening and excavation of the canal, one of the most important aspects is to assure that the slopes on each side are stable for the continued operation and navigation of this important passage. Additionally, the use of cut/dragged materials for use as fill in levees, embankments and other earth structures needs to be evaluated. This can be accomplished by determining the available soil shear strength to assure stability during and after construction. Along the Canal there is a weak volcanic tuff: Cucaracha formation. The engineering characterization of this formation in a remolded state is the topic for my research investigation. To this end several remolded samples were compacted. The specimens were tested to failure under loading using unconsolidated undrained (CU) triaxial test. The shear strength parameters of the remolded soil were determined by testing at different confining stresses following an axial compression stress path. Using the strength parameters determined for short- and long-term conditions the stability of levees was evaluated.
Biography
Omar Conte is a senior undergraduate student pursuing a Civil Engineering major with a minor in Business. Originally from Panama City, Republic of Panama transferred to Missouri S&T in Spring 2008, from Lindenwood University St. Charles, MO. Omar has been working in the Missouri S&T Geotech Lab for more than a year as a research assistant. He also has been involved in different projects such as: direct shear testing for a PhD student’s research, MoDOT project in charge of soil classification tests (sieve analysis, hydrometer test and Atterbergs limits), consolidation tests and development of GIS maps displaying geographically the bridge foundation’s types in Missouri. Omar is a member of Chi Epsilon, Tau Beta Pi and SHPE, he is looking forward to going to grad school after graduating this coming May.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
07 Apr 2010, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Panama Canal’s Volcanic Tuff - Remolded Strength
Upper Atrium/Hallway
The Panama Canal was completed in 1914. Now for the proposed widening and excavation of the canal, one of the most important aspects is to assure that the slopes on each side are stable for the continued operation and navigation of this important passage. Additionally, the use of cut/dragged materials for use as fill in levees, embankments and other earth structures needs to be evaluated. This can be accomplished by determining the available soil shear strength to assure stability during and after construction. Along the Canal there is a weak volcanic tuff: Cucaracha formation. The engineering characterization of this formation in a remolded state is the topic for my research investigation. To this end several remolded samples were compacted. The specimens were tested to failure under loading using unconsolidated undrained (CU) triaxial test. The shear strength parameters of the remolded soil were determined by testing at different confining stresses following an axial compression stress path. Using the strength parameters determined for short- and long-term conditions the stability of levees was evaluated.
