Course Details

Course Information Package

Course Unit TitleGEOTECHNICAL DESIGN
Course Unit CodeCEG334
Course Unit Details
Number of ECTS credits allocated5
Learning Outcomes of the course unitBy the end of the course, the students should be able to:
  1. Identify methods of site investigation, foundation and retaining wall types and understand the geotechnical design process from site investigation, interpretation, design and monitoring.
  2. Apply design techniques for shallow foundations with complex loads, RC cantilever and gravity retaining walls.
  3. Analyze site investigation data for the selection of appropriate shallow and deep foundation types or retaining wall types and calculation of factors of safety on stability for complex cases.
  4. Evaluate degree of certainty and hence degree of conservatism, need for further investigation, need for monitoring.
  5. Create design calculations for shallow foundation with complex loads and soil conditions, supported and unsupported embedded retaining walls.
Mode of DeliveryFace-to-face
PrerequisitesCEG220Co-requisitesNONE
Recommended optional program componentsNONE
Course Contents

Introduction: review of material from Soil Mechanics I and II courses.

Site investigations: In-situ testing methods. Derivation of soil parameters. Laboratory testing methods. Derivation of soil parameters.

Design to Eurocode 7: Introduction to Eurocode programme. Definitions. Partial factors, design approach.

Spread foundation resistance: Soil parameters needed for foundation design. Derivation of design values of actions, including inclined loads and moments. Bearing capacity equations and factors. Derivation of design resistance values and safety check.

Settlement of foundations: Immediate and consolidation settlement and their estimation. Derivation of settlement estimates from laboratory and in-situ tests. Shallow foundation types and their application.

Deep foundation resistance: Pile design in accordance with EC7 for vertical loads in clays and in sands. Derivation of design resistances and safety checks. Design principles and modes of failure for laterally loaded piles. Design of pile groups.

Retaining walls: Design of supported and unsupported embedded retaining walls according to EC7.

Recommended and/or required reading:
Textbooks
  • “Principles of Foundation Engineering”, Das M.D.
  • “A Short Course in Foundation Engineering”, Simons & Menzies, Thomas Telford.
References
  • “Foundation Design and Construction”, Tomlinson M.J., Prentice-Hall.
Planned learning activities and teaching methodsThe course will be presented through theoretical lectures in class. The lectures will present to the student the course content and allow for questions. Part of the material will be presented using visual aids. Lecture notes, homework assignments, practice questions, feedback and additional material such as site videos and photographs will be available to students at any time on the e-learning Moodle platform. The learning process will be enhanced with the requirement from the student to solve exercises. These include self-evaluation exercises which will be solved in class. These exercises will not be graded. Exercises will also be given as homework which will be part of their assessment. The instructor will be available to students during office hours or by appointment in order to provide any additional tutoring.
Assessment methods and criteria
Assignments20%
Tests20%
Final Exam60%
Language of instructionEnglish
Work placement(s)NO

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