Robust Design in Geotechnical Engineering

Geotechnical Design and Uncertainty

Geotechnical design confronts uncertainties from incomplete subsurface knowledge, natural variability, geomaterial properties, construction errors, and differing solution models. Traditional approaches use conservative factors of safety or pre-calibrated partial factors to address uncertainties indirectly. Reliability-based design incorporates uncertainties directly but requires full statistical characterization, which is often unattainable in practice. Robust geotechnical design offers an alternative, by optimizing safety, cost, and robustness when uncertainties cannot be accurately quantified—where reliability-based and load and resistance factor design prove less effective. This first comprehensive book on robust geotechnical design presents detailed methodologies, design examples, and reviews existing methods, benefiting researchers and engineers interested in geotechnical and geological design under uncertainty.