Geotechnical Design Part 3: Foundations TSYH 4214

Upon successful completion, the student will be able to:

Module 1 - Introduction to Foundations

• Describe the general types of foundations and understand their purpose and use.
• State the types of loads that may act on a foundation and explain the importance of an accurate computation of these loads.
• Describe the inter-relationship between soil conditions and the required type of foundation.

Module 2 - Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations

• State the three essential requirements that must be considered to design a satisfactory shallow foundation.
• State the necessary steps for designing a satisfactory shallow foundation.
• Explain the effects, depth and location have on the performance of a shallow foundation.
• Explain the bearing capacity theory and the modes of bearing capacity failures.
• Define the term 'ultimate bearing capacity' of soil, and 'safe bearing pressure' and 'factor of safety' of a shallow foundation.
• Calculate the proper dimensions of footings on clay or sand based on bearing capacity equations.
• Describe the effects of the water table on the bearing capacity of a soil.

Module 3 - Settlement of Shallow Foundations

• Explain the terms 'total settlement' and 'differential settlement' and their effects on structures.
• Explain the term 'allowable bearing pressure.'
• Explain the precautions one must take when placing a structure on fill.
• Evaluate the consolidation settlement of a footing on clay, and proportion the footing using the allowable bearing pressure.
• Evaluate the settlement of a footing on sand based on standard penetration test data, and proportion the footing using the allowable bearing pressure.
• Explain the design concept of a floating foundation.

Module 4 - Bearing Capacity of Deep Foundations

• Explain the difference in function between end bearing piles and friction piles.
• Evaluate the axial capacity of a single pile driven into sand or clay using statical methods.
• Evaluate the axial capacity of a single pile driven into clay based on analytical methods.
• Predict the axial capacity of a single pile driven into cohesionless soils through the application of the Hiley pile driving formula.

Module 5 - Settlement of Deep Foundations

• Describe and compare the settlement characteristics of end bearing and friction piles.
• Define the term 'negative skin friction' and explain its effect on end-bearing and friction pile foundations.
• Describe common foundation problems relating to soil displacement caused by pile driving.
• Describe and explain the effects that overdriving piles have on pile foundation settlement and bearing capacity.
• Explain how pile settlement can be determined from pile load tests.

Module 6 - Improvement of Site Soils for Foundation Use

• Explain the term 'soil stabilization' and its use in dealing with unsatisfactory foundation soils.
• Describe and explain methods of mechanical soil stabilization and their effects on soil strength.
• Describe and explain methods of chemical soil stabilization and their effects on soil strength.
• Describe and explain the method of stabilization by drainage and its effects on soil strength.

Effective as of Fall 2003