CEE Ph.D. Defense Announcement: Breaking New Ground - Excavation Performance in Tar-Infused and Conventional Soils for LA Metro D-Line Extension Project

Abstract: Deep excavations in dense urban environments pose risks to public safety and surrounding infrastructure. This revealing study dives into three major excavations from LA Metro's D-Line Extension project. Two of these occurred near the iconic La Brea Tar Pits, revealing pioneering insights into the behavior of tar-infused soils. Advanced numerical modeling and real-time construction data uncovered unique and unprecedented responses of tar soil, critical to infrastructure construction. The research also encompasses novel findings from CPT testing of tar soils, alongside a comprehensive global review of tar soil behavior. This pioneering work provides new understanding of urban excavations and their short- and long-term performance.