2006 Buchanan Lecture: Clyde Baker: Evolution of Risk Management in Underground Engineering

The 14th Spencer J. Buchanan Lecture in the Department of Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University was given by Clyde N. Baker, Jr., PE, SE on Nov. 17, 2006. The lecture was titled "Evolution of Risk Management as a Project Management Tool in Underground Engineering." Abstract: Cost effective foundation design may entail use of mixed foundation systems which can require more accurate and reliable load deformation prediction capability. In the writer's experience, the Menard in-situ pressuremeter test has been very useful in enabling better load deformation prediction with different foundation support systems. Case histories are presented to illustrate five different design concepts: 1) Complex existing foundation conditions required dewatering effots to permit belled caisson construction below the old caissons. 2) Use of piles or drilled shafts as settlement reducers rather than as required structural elements for building support. 3) Use of deeper basement excavation stress release effects in ways to maximize site building capacity. 4) Use of variable length piles under a mat to minimize differential settlement. 5) Re-use of existing deep foundations on one bearing stratum in combination with new foundations on deeper stratum. About Clyde N. Baker, Jr.: Mr. Baker received his BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and joined the staff of STS Consultants, Ltd. (formerly Soil Testing Services) in the fall of 1954. Over the past 50 years, he has served as geotechnical engineer for many high rise built in Chicago. He has also served as geotechnical engineer or consultant on seven of the sixteen tallest buildings in the world including the three tallest in Chicago (Sear s, Hancock, and Amoco) and the current two buildings in the world, the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and 101 Financial Center inTaipei, Taiwan. Mr. Baker has shared his knowledge and experience with his peers through numerous Conference and University lectures, technical articles, papers and publications. He is the recipient of the Deep Foundation’s Institute Distinguished Service Award, the ADSC Outstanding Service Award, ASCE’s Thomas A. Middlebrooks and Martin S. Kapp awards and of three Meritorious Publication Awards from SEAOI including the "History of Chicago Building Foundations 1948 to 1998". He is the author of "The Drilled Shaft Inspectors' Manual" sponsored jointly by the Deep Foundation Institute and the International Association of Foundation Drilling (ADSC). The Spencer J. Buchanan Lecture Series is presented by the Geo-Institute of ASCE, courtesy of the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University (ZDCE-TAMU). For more information about the Buchanan Lecture: https://briaud.engr.tamu.edu/buchanan... Want to learn more about the Geo-Institute? We're a technical society with about 12,000 members - mostly geotechnical engineers and geologists. Visit geoinstitute.org to get to know us! #geotechnicalengineering #geotech #civilengineering #buchananlecture