2008 Peck Lecture: The Observational Method: Case History and Models

The observational method was used to design and construct an embankment over a deposit of soft sludge. The first part of the paper describes the case history of the project. The second part describes the use of analytical models as part of the observational method. The finite-element method and one-dimensional consolidation solution were used as prediction models. Bayesian updating was used to revise the material properties with observed performance. Advantages and limitations of updating are presented. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000509. (C) 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.