News and Events
|
|||||
 The Fifth Lumb Lecture |
|||||
The Fifth Lumb Lecture entitled "Uncertainty, Reliability and Foundation Engineering" will be delivered by Professor Fred H. Kulhawy of Cornell University, U.S.A. The Lecture will be held at 7:00 p.m. on December 1, 2008 (Monday) in Lecture Theatre of the Hong Kong Central Library. |
|||||
|
|||||
 |
|||||
| Abstract |
|||||
|
Peter Lumb was among the first civil engineers to focus on the role of uncertainty in geotechnical engineering practice and design. His seminal work on this topic illustrated clearly that proper geotechnical design should be based on probabilistic, not deterministic, principles. More than four decades later, our profession is still trying to address this reality. This lecture and paper traces the key developments to date in trying to achieve this goal. First, the topic of uncertainty in geotechnical characterization is discussed. The primary sub-topics include the inherent geologic variability, the variabilities introduced during site investigation and in-situ testing, and the variabilities associated with transforming a field or laboratory measurement into a needed design property. Second, the framework of geotechnical reliability-based design (RBD) is introduced, especially noting the very important differences from structural RBD. The geotechnical design equations need to be calibrated before use, and their variabilities need to be quantified. Then the complete design equation must be calibrated, including all of the relevant uncertainties, to assess the load and resistance factors rigorously to achieve specific design goals, such as the ultimate limit state (ULS) for capacity and the serviceability limit state (SLS) for displacements. Economic optimization also is included. Examples are given from foundation engineering practice, illustrating the very important differences between traditional deterministic design and properly-done RBD.
|
|||||
|
|
|||||
| Registration and Enquiries |
|||||
|
No prior registration is required and all interested are welcome. Attendance certificates will be available.
For further details, please contact: Ms. Bridget Lam Tel: (852) 2859 2666 Fax: (852) 2559 5337 Email: lumb@hku.hk Website: http://www.hku.hk/civil/h4d.htm |
|||||
|
|
|||||
| Sponsors |
|||||
The Fifth Lumb Lecture is generously sponsored by:
  Geotechnical Division, HKIE Professor Lumb Trust Fund, HKU
|
|||||
|
|
|||||