Pokhara University
Faculty of Science and Technology
Course Code: GTE 310 (3 Credit)
Full Marks: 100
Course Title: Foundation Engineering (3-2-1)
Pass Mark: 45
Nature of the Course: Theory and Practice
Total Lectures: 45 hours
Level: Bachelor/ Year: III/ Semester: V
Program: BCE/BCRE
1. Course Description:
The course comprehensively covers all aspects of foundation engineering, ranging from the importance of the foundation, its types, design, and construction methods including soil improvements.
2. General Objectives:
- This course is to equip students with the knowledge and skills required for the design of foundation of various civil engineering structures.
3. Methods of Instructions:
- Lecture
- Tutorial
- Discussion
- Demonstration
- Field and Laboratory tests
4. Course Contents
Unit 1: Introduction to foundation and soil exploration (6 hrs)
- Visualize the foundation, and methods of soil exploration
- 1.1 Definition, types, and purposes of foundation
- 1.2 Factors affecting on selection of foundation
- 1.3 Soil Exploration
- 1.4 Planning of exploration program (i.e. Stages, vertical and lateral extent)
- 1.5 Soil sampling, types of soil sample, and types of soil sampler
- 1.6 Requirements of soil sampler, and points to be considered while sampling
- 1.7 Methods of boring for exploration
- 1.8 Field Test for soil investigation: Penetration tests (SPT, SCPT and DCPT)
- 1.9 Ground water observations
- 1.10 Borehole logs and site investigation report
Unit 2: Earth pressure theories and application (10 hrs)
- Compute the lateral earth pressure using various theories
- 2.1 Effect of wall movement on earth pressure
- 2.2 Earth pressure at rest
- 2.3 Rankine’s theory of earth pressure for active and passive states
- 2.4 Coulomb’s theory of earth pressure for active and passive state
- 2.5 Culmann’s theory of earth pressure for active and passive state
- 2.6 Flexible retaining structure
- 2.6.1 Sheet pile wall and its classification
- 2.6.2 Analysis of sheet pile wall
- 2.7 Bracing for open cuts: components; calculation of strut loads and bending moment on wales for the design of bracing components: Earth pressure against bracing in cuts
- 2.8 Proportioning of retaining walls
- 2.9 Stability analysis of retaining wall
- 2.10 Arching in soil, arching effect, and application
Unit 3: Bearing capacity and settlement (8 hrs)
- Compute the bearing capacity and settlement for shallow foundation.
- 3.1 Modes of failure on foundation soil
- 3.2 Terzaghi’s bearing capacity theory
- 3.2.1 Terzaghi’s bearing capacity theory
- 3.2.2 Extension of Terzaghi’s theory (i.e. Meyerhof, Hansen and Vesic)
- 3.2.3 Skempton’s bearing capacity theory for cohesion-less soil
- 3.3 Effect of water table on bearing capacity
- 3.4 Bearing capacity from in-situ tests: Plate load test, SPT Value (N – Value)
- 3.5 Foundation settlement, types, analysis and its causes
Unit 4: Design of shallow foundation (5 hrs)
- Analyze and design the shallow foundation
- 4.1 Design loads on foundation
- 4.2 Factors governing the depth of foundation
- 4.3 Design and analysis of spread foundation, combined and strap beam footing
- 4.4 Mat Foundation: Types; bearing capacity; analysis and design by conventional approach
- 4.5 Proportioning of spread footing for equal settlement
Unit 5: Pile Foundation (7 hrs)
- Analyze and design the Pile as a deep foundation.
- 5.1 Classification of piles, their suitability and selection
- 5.2 Pile load capacity
- 5.2.1 Pile driving formulae (dynamic method)
- 5.2.2 Static method
- 5.2.3 Pile load test
- 5.3 Pile load capacity using SPT and CPT values
- 5.4 Group action of piles
- 5.4.1 Ultimate load capacity
- 5.4.2 Design of pile group
- 5.4.3 Settlement of pile group in clay
- 5.5 Efficiency of pile group
- 5.6 Negative skin friction
- 5.7 Construction of pile foundation
Unit 6: Pier, caisson and coffer dam (6 hrs)
- Analyze and design the pier and caisson
- 6.1 Pier foundation and its suitability
- 6.2 Caisson and its types
- 6.3 Components of well foundation
- 6.4 Forces acting on well foundation
- 6.5 Design criteria of well foundation (shape, size, type and depth)
- 6.6 Construction and sinking of a caisson
- 6.7 Tilt and shift of well and rectification
- 6.8 Lateral stability of well foundation (Terzaghi)
- 6.9 Coffer dam, its purpose and types
Unit 7: Soil Improvement (3 hrs)
- Recognize soil improvement methods.
- 7.1 Need of soil improvement for foundation
- 7.2 Methods of Soil Improvement
- 7.2.1 Dynamic compaction
- 7.2.2 Preloading
- 7.2.3 Grouting
- 7.2.4 Use of admixtures
- 7.2.5 Sand compaction piles
- 7.2.6 Soil reinforcement
- 7.2.7 Geosynthetics
5. Tutorials
- Solution of Numerical Problems related to:
- N Value correction in SPT tests results
- Calculation of earth pressure by Rankine’s Theory, Coulomb’s Theory, and Culmann’s Theory
- Design and analysis of spread foundation, combined and strap beam footing
- Design of Sheet Pile as a Flexible Retaining Structure (Cantilever by simplified method and Anchored Sheet Pile wall by free and fixed earth support methods)
- Calculation of strut loads on braced cut and BM on wales
- Stability Analysis of Retaining wall and its design
- Calculation of bearing capacity and allowable pressure at various conditions using different bearing capacity theories
- Soil Pressure calculation at the base of Mat Foundation by Conventional approach
- Load bearing capacity of Pile using Dynamic and Static approach and correlations using SPT and CPT values.
- Design of Pile group
- Settlement of Pile group in clay
6. Practical
- Methods of Boring (Auger or Wash or Percussion Boring)
- Standard Penetration Test
- Dynamic Cone Penetration Test
- Static Cone Penetration Test (Demonstration)
- Plate Load Test (Demonstration)
- In-situ and Laboratory test of Permeability
7. Evaluation System and Students’ Responsibilities
Evaluation System
| Internal Evaluation | Weight | Marks | External Evaluation | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attendance & Class Participation | 30% | 20% | Theory | 50 |
| Assignments | 10% | 20% | Internal Assessment | 30% |
| Presentations/Quizzes | 10% | 60% | Practical | 20 |
| Lab Report/Project Report | 10% | 40% | Practical Exam/Project Work | 30% |
| Viva | 30% | Total Internal | 50 |
Full Marks: 50 + 50 = 100
Students’ Responsibilities
- Each student must secure at least 45% marks separately in internal assessment and practical evaluation with 80% attendance in the class in order to appear in the Semester End Examination.
- Failing to get such score will be given NOT QUALIFIED (NQ) to appear the Semester-End Examinations.
- Students are advised to attend all the classes, formal exam, test, etc. and complete all the assignments within the specified time period.
- Students are required to complete all the requirements defined for the completion of the course.
8. Prescribed Books and References
Text Books:
- 1. Murthy, V.N.S. (2007). Text Book of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering Series), CBS Publishers and Distributors Pvt. Ltd. India
- 2. Ranjan, Gopal & Rao, A.S.R. (2000), Basic and Applied Soil Mechanics, New Age International Publishers, New Delhi, India.
References:
- 1. Terzaghi, Karl, Peck, R.B. & John, Wiley (1967). Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice, New York.
- 2. Ralph B. Peck, Walter E. Hanson, Thomash H. Thornburn, FOUNDATION ENGINEERING, (Second Edition), JOHN WILEY & SONS, New York
- 3. Joseph E. Bowles, P.E.,S.E., FOUNDATION ANALYSIS AND DESIGN, (Fifth Edition), The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., New York
- 4. T. William Lambe, SOIL TESTING for Engineers, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York
- 5. Dante Fratta, Jennifer Aguettant, Lynne Roussel-Smith (2007), Introduction to Soil Mechanics Laboratory Testing, CRC Press, New York
- 6. Braja M. Das (2002), Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, Thomson, Asia
- 7. Venkatramaiah, C. (Third Edition), Geotechnical Engineering, New Age International (P) Limited Publisher, India
- 8. Punmia, B.C, Jain, A.K.& Jain, Arun K. (Seventh Edition 2017). Soil Mechanics and Foundation engineering, Laxmi Publication Pvt. Ltd. India