ENCE302

Foundation Engineering

Syllabus

  1. Geotechnical Investigation (8 hours)
    1. Investigation objectives and scope
    2. Stages and extent of site exploration
    3. Site exploration methods (accessible, inaccessible, indirect)
    4. Soil sampling (disturbed and undisturbed) and samplers
    5. Field tests (SPT, CPT, dynamic CPT, pressure meter, dilatometer)
    6. Groundwater observation and borehole logs
    7. Geophysical tests and applications
    8. Liquefaction potential evaluation
  2. Slope Stability Analysis (4 hours)
    1. Types of slopes and failure modes
    2. Infinite slope analysis
    3. Finite slope analysis (undrained condition, friction circle, method of slices)
    4. Stability charts
  3. Earth Pressure Theories (5 hours)
    1. Earth pressure and slope retaining structures
    2. Wall movement and earth pressure types
    3. Rankine earth pressure theory
    4. Coulomb earth pressure theory
    5. Culmann's graphical solution
  4. Bearing Capacity Theories (4 hours)
    1. Basic terminologies and relationships
    2. Shear failure types
    3. Bearing capacity theory history
    4. Terzaghi's bearing capacity theory
    5. Corrections to Terzaghi's equation
    6. Skempton, Meyerhof, Brinch Hansen, and Vesic methods
  5. Analysis of Shallow Foundation (7 hours)
    1. Types and definition
    2. Settlement types and effects
    3. Allowable bearing capacity analysis
    4. Bearing capacity from in-situ and laboratory tests
    5. Safe bearing pressure
    6. Raft foundation types and capacity
    7. Stress distribution and settlement
    8. Foundation on stratified soil
  6. Analysis of Deep Foundation (6 hours)
    1. Deep foundation types (pile, pier, caisson, classification)
    2. Single pile load capacity (static, in-situ, dynamic, load tests)
    3. Pile group action
    4. Settlement of pile foundation
    5. Lateral and uplift capacity
    6. Construction and quality assurance
    7. Negative skin friction
    8. Pier foundation analysis
    9. Well (caisson) components
    10. Well lateral stability and sinking problems
  7. Analysis of Foundation in Rock (3 hours)
    1. Design basis for rock foundations
    2. Weathered and un-weathered rock foundations
    3. Bearing capacity and settlement
    4. Rock defect treatment
  8. Retaining Structures: Rigid and Flexible (8 hours)
    1. Rigid and flexible structure types and applications
    2. Rigid retaining wall proportioning and stability
    3. Arching theory
    4. Flexible retaining structure types
    5. Sheet pile analysis
    6. Braced excavation analysis
    7. Reinforced/mechanically stabilized earth walls

Practicals

  1. Video presentation of drilling methods
  2. Drilling by one method (hands-on)
  3. Standard penetration test (field procedure)
  4. Sample collection and laboratory tests