TIME FACTOR AT THE GEOTECHNICAL BIM DESIGN

Abstract

The information model spreading throughout all lifetime of a building has to take into consideration the changes in the materials properties over time. Unlike the man-made structures with the well-defined properties, the soils are characterized by heterogeneity and variability of characteristics. The soils properties, such as a compressibility and a shear strength, are changed due to building loads, seasonal freezing-thawing processes, water content variations and other factors. The latent, slowly developing geological processes can take place at the ground. Moreover, some soils properties used for prediction, for example, a long-term settlement caused by a secondary consolidation, dissolution or decomposition of soil particles, vibration are not always determined by ordinary surveys. These properties should be verified in situ observation.
The geotechnical information models, the use of which is expected for a long time, should be created not for separate building sites, but for the territories of large enterprises, cities, or urban areas with the same type of geological conditions. This work should be preceded by the development of the technical standards, software and documents defining the responsibilities and rights of survey and design companies, investors, and municipal administrations, including the ownership of soil survey data.
As an example, the geotechnical challenges of the Arkhangelsk city territory are discussed. The main factors that should be accepted in model are following: the presence of multi-meter peat and soft clayey soils deposits, the settlement of which has not stabilized for decades, as well as fluctuations of the groundwater level caused by the setting up of drainages and clogging of their filters.