| Current practice in the characterization of subsurface conditions usually involves the recovery of samples and evaluation of the results of tests performed on these samples using deterministic analysis methods. These deterministic methods do not reflect the uncertainties associated with the material's characteristics well. In addition there is no commonly accepted method for evaluation of the quality of the investigation or to estimate the impact of additional sampling.The primary contribution of this dissertation was the development and implementation of a performance-based investigation and monitoring approach for assessing the thoroughness, or quality, of site investigation and monitoring activities in a spatially-sensitive manner. This contribution came specifically through the proposing of the continuous thoroughness approach which is based on probability theory and enables users to better assess the likelihood that design or regulatory criteria will not be met, and the implementation of this algorithm within a spatial analysis system. |
