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An Introduction to Fill and Backfill for Structures

J. Paul Guyer, P.E., R.A., Fellow ASCE, Fellow AEI


Course Outline

1.  INTRODUCTION
2.  FILL
2.1  TYPES OF FILL
2.2  FOUNDATIONS ON COMPACTED FILLS
2.3  COMPACTION REQUIREMENTS
2.4  PLACING AND CONTROL OF BACKFILL
2.5  FILL SETTLEMENTS
2.6  HYDRAULIC FILLS
3.  BACKFILL
3.1  INTRODUCTION
3.2  PLANNING AND DESIGN OF STRUCTURES AND EXCAVATIONS TO ACCOMMODATE BACKFILL OPERATIONS
3.3  EVALUATION, DESIGN AND PROCESSING OF BACKFILL MATERIALS
3.4  SELECTION OF BACKFILLL MATERIALS
3.5  PROCESSING OF BACKFILL MATERIALS

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will:

Intended Audience

This course is intended for civil, structural and geotechnical engineers and other design and construction professionals wanting to learn the fundamentals of fill and backfill for buildings and other structures.

Benefit for Attendee

This course will give geotechnical, structural and civil engineers and other design and construction professionals an introduction to materials evaluation, selection, placement and control for fill and backfill operations for buildings and other structures.

Course Introduction

This course provides information about fill and backfill materials, processes and controls for design and construction of buildings and other structures.

About Course Author

Paul Guyer is a registered mechanical engineer, civil engineer, fire protection engineer and architect with over 35 years experience in the design of buildings and related infrastructure.  For an additional 9 years he was a senior-level advisor to the California Legislature on infrastructure and capital outlay issues.  He has designed and supervised the design of hundreds of construction projects requiring the preparation of detailed working drawings and specifications for federal, state and local public agencies and private companies.  He is a graduate of Stanford University and has held numerous national, state and local positions with the American Society of Civil Engineers and National Society of Professional Engineers.

Course Content

The course content is contained in the following PDF file:

An Introduction to Fill and Backfill for Structures

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Course Summary

This course will give you professional tools that will help you to address fill and backfill requirements for projects that you routinely encounter in your company or agency office.

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

Take a Quiz

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.