ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Through a long and arduous, yet rewarding time, my thesis has finally been completed. My specialized knowledge along with experience in related fields has caused me to become a better, more mature, well-rounded person. My graduate studies have provided me a firm basis on which I can confidently rely on for my future experiences in the professional work environment.

First of all, my gratitude and appreciation is specified to my advisor, Dr. Nguyen Minh Trung, Department of Geo-Environment, Faculty of Geology & Petroleum Engineering, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, for his enthusiasm, fortitude and precious guidance in detail during in my research.

I would like to show my deep appreciation to Dr. Phan Thi San Ha, Eng. Pham Minh Tuan, Geology and Petroleum Faculty, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Eng. Dang Trung Chinh (Hoang Trung Chinh Co.Ltd), for their intensive guidance, priceless suggestion and expert help in several stages during the preparation of this thesis.

I gratefully acknowledge Hoang Trung Chinh Co.Ltd for providing me with the means to perform my thesis both in supporting materials and opportunity. In addition, the company also created favorable conditions which helped me came into contact with actual work.

Last but not least, I would like to deeply thank my family, my English’s teacher Ms. Phuong and all my friends, who strongly encouraged me to overcome the hardships during this research. Thank you for all your kind help.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS i

TABLE OF CONTENTS ii

LIST OF TABLES iv

LIST OF FIGURES v

LIST OF SYMBOLS viii

ABSTRACT xi

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 AUTHENTICITY OF RESEARCH 1

1.2 OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH 1

1.3 SCOPES OF RESEARCH WORK 2

1.4 METHODOLOGY 2

1.5 INNOVATION 3

1.6 LIMITATION OF RESEARCH 3

CHAPTER 2: THE GEOGRAPHICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF HO CHI MINH CITY 6

2.1 NATURAL GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS 6

2.1.1 Geographical Position 6

2.1.2 Topography 8

2.1.3 Climate Characteristics 8

2.1.4 Hydrological Characteristics 9

2.2 SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS 10

2.2.1 Population 10

2.2.2 Economy 13

2.2.3 Transportation and Traffic 15

2.2.4 Urban Planning 17

CHAPTER 3: GEOGRIDS IN GROUND ENGEERING 18

3.1 OVERVIEW OF GEOGRIDS 18

3.1.1 Uni-Axial Geogrid Properties 18

3.1.2 Bi-Axial Geogrid Properties 20

3.1.3 Tri-Axial Geogrid Properties 25

3.2 APPLICATIONS OF GEOGRIDS 30

3.2.1 Uni-Axial Geogrid Applications in Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls (MSEW) 30

3.2.2 Uni-Axial Geogrid Applications in Reinforced Soil Slopes 31

3.2.3 Bi-Axial Geogrid Applications in Roads, Railways, Ports, Airports 34

3.2.4 Bi-Axial Geogrid Applications in reinforced sea embankments -river embankments 36

3.3 MECHANICALLY STABILIZED EARTH WALL 39

3.3.1 Historical Development 39

3.3.2 Current Usage of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls 41

3.4 THEORETICAL BASIS FOR MECHANICALLY STABILIZED EARTH WALLS 42

3.4.1 Analysis theories 42

3.4.2 Determination of Basic Parameters 43

3.4.3 External Stability Analysis 45

3.4.4 Internal Stability Analysis 52

3.5 Detailed instructions for using MSEW software 57

CHAPTER 4: THE DESIGN SOLUTION FOR MECHANICALLY STABILIZED EARTH WALL AT THANH MY LOI PROJECT. 65

4.1 INTRODUCTION TO THANH MY LOI RESIDENTIAL AREA PROJECT 65

4.1.1 Project Overview 65

4.1.2 Topography 66

4.1.3 Hydrological Characteristics 66

4.1.4 Result of Geotechnical Investigation. 67

4.1 PROPOSED SOLUTION FOR DESIGN 75

4.2.1 The Use of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Wall 75

4.2.2 The Basis of Calculations and Estimations 78

4. 3 OPTION FOR THE BEST SOLUTION 86

4.4 CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE 89

4.5 THE ERRORS OFTEN OCCUR DURING CONSTRUCTION PROCESS. 93

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 96

5.1 Conclusion 96

5.2 Recommendation 96

References

Appendix