92874 - Design of Foundations and Retaining Structures

Learning outcomes

The course aims to apply the knowledge of geotechnical engineering to the design of civil engineering structures. Upon successful completion, students will be able to: understand the possible soil-structure interaction mechanisms of shallow and deep foundations; assess the modes of failure of rigid and flexible retaining structures; identify the fundamental features of well-established and more advanced analysis methods; recognize the potential of numerical methods, including the finite element method (FEM). The primary skills students will develop include: proficiency in selecting suitable soil parameters and alternative strategies for the design of foundations and retaining structures; competence in using software tools for geotechnical engineering; ability to apply relevant design codes and standards to geotechnical design.

Course contents

Requirements

Prior required knowledge is considered to be acquired by the accomplishment of the Geotechnical Engineering course. 

Course contents

The course aims at developing the students' knowledge of geotechnical engineering. It explores the application of soil mechanics principles to the geotechnical design of foundation systems and retaining walls.

Geotechnical design using international codes. The geotechnical design of the structures presented in the course are developed in accordance to the European Standards.

Design of shallow foundations. Bearing capacity of shallow foundations under general loading in homogeneous soil. Solutions for the design in layered soils. Settlement analysis using theoretical approaches and in-situ test interpretations.

Design of pile foundations. Pile types and testing. Axial capacity of single pile. Pile subjected to horizontal loading. Settlement and deformation of piles. Load-transfer curve methods. Negative friction. Design of piles in group.

Design of retaining structures. Types of earth retaining structures and modes of failure. Limiting earth pressure from limit analysis. Stability analysis of rigid and flexible retaining structures. Ground anchorages. Braced excavations.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes

Knappett, J. & Craig, R. Craig's Soil Mechanics, 8^th edition. CRC Press, 2012.

Bond, A.J., Schuppener, B., Scarpelli, G., & Orr, T.L.L. Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design worked examples. JRC Scientific and policy reports, 2013.

Teaching methods

The lectures are presented with slides and integrated by board demonstrations.

During the course, the geotechnical design of shallow and deep foundations, as well as retaining structures, is presented using a commercial finite element code (OPTUM G2). Practical examples are illustrated throughout the course.

Additionally, the course may feature lectures and seminars by invited foreign professors.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of a written test and an oral test.

In the written exam, students are required to solve a numerical exercise similar to those covered during the course, by using the finite element code presented in class, and to discuss their findings. Alternatively, students may solve the exercise using analytical methods presented during the course.

After evaluating the written test, the second part of the final exam assesses the student's theoretical knowledge gained during the course. This involves a theoretical question on the course contents.

Higher grades will be awarded to students who can demonstrate an organic understanding of the subject, a capacity of presenting the course contents in a clear and concise way and an ability of critically discussing the results achieved. To obtain a passing grade, students are required to show their knowledge of at least the key concepts of the subject, some ability for their critical application and a correct use of technical language. A failing grade will be awarded if the student shows knowledge gaps in key-concepts of the subject, inappropriate use of language, and/or logic failures in the analysis of the subject.

Teaching tools

The teacher will made available the lecture notes on Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Alessio Mentani