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.
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*1% credit card surcharge applies.
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30 July
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.
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?
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
Fundamental understanding of civil engineering principles and soil mechanics.
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
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:
Dr Martin Larisch is a Fellow with Engineers Australia and a Principal Geotechnical Engineer with over 25 years of international experience in the piling and ground engineering sector. He has worked in various technical and operational leadership roles for some of the largest specialist piling and ground improvement contractors and design firms in Australia, New Zealand, and Germany.
Martin has significant experience in the design, construction and verification of piled foundations, retaining walls and ground improvement schemes for infrastructure, marine and building projects. He was also affiliated with The University of Queensland as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Geotechnical Engineering Centre from 2014 to 2021
