Citation

  • Fenton, G.A., He, P., Esposito, G., Rahimi, R. (2022). Development of a Geotechnical Design Standard for Buildings in Canada. Canadian Standards Association, Toronto, ON

Executive Summary

Canadians are in the enviable position of having created a world-leading reliability-based geotechnical design code for bridges, namely Section 6 Foundations and Geotechnical Systems of CSA S6:19, Canadian highway bridge design code (CHBDC). Further research is now required to develop similar design provisions for the buildings, where a minimum geotechnical standard is currently lacking in Canada. It is anticipated that such design provisions would be beneficial and could be considered for a future standard.

This report summarizes the findings of a study that investigated target reliability levels for geotechnical systems and the resulting resistance factors required to achieve these reliability targets within a load and resistance factor design (LRFD) framework. The geotechnical problems considered include:

  • Seismic design of deep foundations;
  • Seismic and wind loading design of shallow foundations;
  • Sliding resistance of shallow foundations; and
  • Sliding and overturning resistance of retaining walls.

This report also summarizes the results of an investigation into direct reliability-based design as an alternative to the LRFD approach.

While most of the unknown resistance factors needed to develop a geotechnical design standard for buildings in Canada are calibrated in this report, areas that require additional research for the calibration of geotechnical resistance factors are identified in the summary.

Authors

  • Gordon A. Fenton, P.Eng., Ph.D., Dalhousie University
  • Pengpeng He, Ph.D., Dalhousie University
  • Gennaro Esposito, P.Eng., Ph.D. Candidate, Dalhousie University
  • Reza Rahimi, EIT, Ph.D., Dalhousie University

Project Advisory Panel

  • Paul Wilson, P.Eng., M.Sc., P.Geo., Thurber Engineering Ltd., Vancouver
  • Dennis Becker, P.Eng., Ph.D., Golder/WSP, Calgary
  • Jennifer Teague, Ph.D., CSA Group
  • Mark Braiter, MBA, CSA Group (Project Lead)

Financial Support

The work is supported in part by Mitacs (Grant No.: IT21047) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Disclaimer

This work has been produced by Dalhousie University and is owned by Canadian Standards Association. It is designed to provide general information in regards to the subject matter covered. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors. Dalhousie University and Canadian Standards Association are not responsible for any loss or damage which might occur as a result of your reliance or use of the content in this publication.

Copyright

2022 Canadian Standards Association. All Rights Reserved.

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