Short Courses

Ground Improvement Design and Construction Practice

Learn global best practices for improving the soil properties for increased stiffness, density or impermeability to ensure your projects are always on solid ground.
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Overview
Learn global best practices for improving the soil properties for increased stiffness, density or impermeability to ensure your projects are always on solid ground.

In construction, ground improvement works are often required to limit the settlement of structures, increase the stiffness of natural soils, or to mitigate soil liquefaction during seismic events.  

Other than piling, ground improvement allows you to treat the existing ground and enhance its soil properties to meet your design criteria and design the foundations as shallow footings on improved ground. 

This course will introduce you to the most common ground improvement techniques and applications from around the globe.  

Drawing on the facilitator’s 20 years of experience in the field, you’ll learn the fundamental design concepts (including suitable verification methods) of different ground improvement techniques, in both granular and cohesive ground conditions.  

Details
Price
$199*
EA members
$234.11*
Non-members

EA members get 15% off on selected workshops and training. Not a member? Sign up now

*1% credit card surcharge applies.

Any questions?

Duration
2 hours
Location & dates
Professional Skills

30 July

Additional Information

This online short course will run on the following dates:

30 July 2025, 12pm – 2pm AEST

RSVP:

Please register at least two working days before the scheduled course start date.

We can customise this course for groups of six or more.

You choose the time, place, duration and format.

Find out how we can help you and your team by clicking on the button below to request a quote or calling us directly on +61 3 9321 1700.

Duration
Customisable
Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the key applications for different ground improvement methods in granular and cohesive ground conditions (including stone columns, deep soil mixing, dynamic compaction/ replacement and rigid inclusions) 
  • Identify and mitigate major risks related to ground improvement designs, construction aspects and verification methods 
  • Assess the key design concepts of ground improvement to achieve increased soil strength for improved bearing resistance, settlement reductions and liquefaction mitigation  
  • Apply the fundamental construction and verification methods for different ground improvement techniques and applications (including compaction, replacement and mixing methods). 
Is this course for you?

Is this course for you?

This course is suitable as an introduction to the design and construction of ground improvement for civil, geotechnical and structural engineers. It can also be used as a refresher for more experienced participants. Roles include: 

  • Construction professionals (transport and railway engineering, residential and commercial buildings) 
  • Designers 
  • Academics 
  • Asset owners 
  • Architects 
Prerequisites

Fundamental understanding of civil engineering principles and soil mechanics. 

Topics we'll cover

Topics we'll cover

  • The life cycle of a typical ground improvement project 
  • Ground investigation and (in-situ or laboratory) testing methods for reliable and robust ground improvement designs 
  • Fundamental design concepts of ground improvement in fine grained and granular soil 
  • Basics of soil liquefaction assessment and mitigation strategies 
  • Identifying key risks and opportunities for the different ground improvement methods 
  • Verification methods and frequent risks of the most common ground improvement techniques 
How you’ll learn

The two-hour course will focus on the introduction of the life cycle of a typical ground improvement project, general risks related to the most common ground improvement techniques and the minimum ground investigation and soil testing and assessment methods, which are required for most designs. 

In addition to the presentation slides, the facilitator will discuss case studies and other practical examples. There will be time to answer questions during the presentation and at the end of each, there are five to 10 minutes for discussions. 

Delivery platform – Zoom 

These sessions run through Zoom. On the day of the webinar you will receive the unique Zoom link at least one hour before the webinar is scheduled to begin. 

We suggest that you download the Zoom Desktop Client to ensure you can fully participate in the webinar. If you view the webinar through the Zoom web browser or via a phone or tablet device you may not be able to participate in the interactive elements such as answering polling questions.  

Please read through the following information on Zoom to ensure you are prepared for the webinar: 

Facilitator
Dr Martin Larisch MIEAust CPEng
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