Geotechnical Engineering and Foundation Design - 2023 entry

In this module you will continue your study of geotechnical engineering and explore how structures

interact with the soils that support them. You will develop knowledge of the philosophies and techniques of geotechnical design and analysis that are essential elements of the training of civil engineers. You will gain experience of using field observations and measurements in geotechnical analysis and design. Furthermore, you will develop essential awareness of ground conditions and general safety on civil engineering sites. Finally, you will learn how to assess stresses in the soil mass, bearing capacity and settlement of shallow and deep foundations, stability of gravity and embedded retaining walls and stability of slopes. You will also engage in the use of geotechnical software commonly adopted in the professional practice.

To introduce you to the techniques of geotechnical design and analysis and their limitations, the underlying philosophies of current geotechnical practice, and different practical applications in civil engineering projects, such as the design of foundations, the design of retaining walls and the stability of slopes.

Discipline and Module Intended Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

1 Understand the physical and mechanical properties of soils and methods of determination of soil parameters

2 Display competence in analysing and solving problems related to geotechnical engineering

3 Appreciate the influence of soils and ground conditions on the design of civil engineering structures

4 Apply techniques acquired in previous modules to site investigation, field measurements, geotechnical analysis, observations and the practice observations in geotechnical analysis and design

5 Comprehend the role of geotechnical engineering in civil engineering

6 Relate geotechnical engineering considerations to analysis and design of civil engineering projects

7 Grasp the variability inherent in field data

8 Fathom the variability of natural materials and how this influences the choice of design parameters

9 Demonstrate a deep understanding of the main concepts of the mechanical behaviour of soils

10 Use laboratory and in-situ test results in practical design

11 Show awareness of engineering design procedures through being able to estimate the reliability of soil parameters

12 Recognise how parameters measured in the field are used in design calculations

13 Prove analytical skills in all the module topic areas

14 Reveal technical descriptive writing skills through writing reports on a design and on laboratory testing

• Immediate settlement:
• Foundation design criteria
• Primary and secondary consolidation:
• Theory of one-dimensional consolidation:
• Governing equations of consolidation:
• Analytical and numerical solutions for consolidation:

Bearing capacity of foundations

• Types of foundations:
• Analytical methods for determination of the ultimate bearing capacity:
• Determination of safe bearing capacity:
• In-situ testing for ultimate bearing capacity:
• Bearing capacity of pile foundations:
• End-of construction and long-term stability:
• Choice of strength parameters:

Slope stability

• Slopes in granular materials:
• Circular arc analysis under undrained conditions:ty
• Method of slices:
• Wedge analysis:
• Progressive failure:
• Methods of slope stabilisation:

Reassessment will be by a single written exam only worth 100% of the module. For deferred candidates, the mark will be uncapped. For referred candidates, the mark will be capped at 40%.

Reading list for this module: