FRIDAY SEMINAR SERIES - Ground Improvement with Deep Cement Mixing Method
Soft ground under the sea often presents challenges for supporting seawall or reclamation without treatment if no dredging is implemented. Ground treatment is often required to improve the engineering properties of weak soils to enhance strength and bearing capacity for supporting the intended structures. Deep soil mixing with addition of binder is one of the ground treatment method that has been widely used in Asia and worldwide.
The speaker was involved in a large-scale ground improvement project in Hong Kong, using the deep cement mixing method. This seminar will discuss the characteristics of cement-soil mixture in the laboratory environment as well as performance of the field mixed soil using the same binder material. A detailed test program was developed to evaluate the strength and other properties of the cement-soil mixtures by using various amounts of binder and water to binder ratios. A series of unconfined compressive strength of the laboratory mixture were performed. The relationship of strength of the cement-soil mixture with binder dosages is developed. Test results of laboratory mixed soils were compared with those of field mixed soils. The relationship of strength between laboratory mixed soils and field mixed soils was derived. Field installation process of deep cement mixing for the project will also be discussed.
Huaren (Warren) Dou is a Senior Technical Director at China Road and Bridge Corporation (Hong Kong) and an Adjunct Professor of Civil Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. He is a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and a registered professional engineer in Hong Kong and Canada. Warren has been a committee member of the HKIE Geotechnical Division since 2016 and is an Executive Committee Member of Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists (Hong Kong).
Warren obtained his Master's Degree in geotechnical engineering at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. With a career spanning over 30 years, he has established himself as a highly skilled professional in geotechnical and civil engineering. Throughout his career, Warren has played a significant role in the design and construction of a diverse range of projects across Hong Kong, Macau, Mainland China, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and North America. Noteworthy projects in his portfolio include Hong Kong Disneyland, Hong Kong Express Rail, Shatin to Central Link, Hong Kong International Airport Three Runway System Project, Tseung Kwan O Cross Bay Bridge, and Mass Rapid Transit Circle Line in Singapore. His expertise encompasses various sectors, including railways, highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, and building developments. Over the years, Warren has developed extensive expertise in the analysis, design, and construction of deep foundations, deep excavations, tunnels, marine structures, reclamation, ground improvement, and geotechnical seismic engineering.