ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the future methods in ground improvement is organized in a principled way to include developments in biogeotechnical methods, in materials, and in construction monitoring. While ground improvement engineering is a relatively new field within geotechnical engineering, many ground improvement technologies have matured and, at the same time, new developments are occurring at a rapid pace. Hence, for the purposes of this chapter, ground improvement methods that are in widespread use are discussed with recognition that there has been limited deployment for some technologies or only research and development for others. In the future of ground improvement, the reduction in hydraulic conductivity by controlled use of bioclogging will require additional research in laboratory and scale up to the field. Some smart materials relevant to ground improvement engineering include temperature-responsive materials such as those proposed to aid closure in ground freezing walls, and self-healing materials which might repair cracking that may occur in barrier walls.
