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Module

CEG8215 : Foundation Design and Soil Improvement Solutions (Inactive)

  • Inactive for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Sadegh Nadimi
  • Owning School: Engineering
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

This module aims:
1)       To explain the principles and theories of the design of shallow and deep foundations
2)       To apply the concepts of foundations design through practical examples
3)       To develop the design skills of a geotechnical engineer
4)       To show the different foundation construction techniques
5)       To introduce the concepts of ground improvement
Summary: This module will build upon the basic soil mechanics principles and demonstrate how they are used for the design of shallow and deep foundations.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module will provide an introduction to the design of both shallow and deep foundations. Different types of shallow foundations will be presented: pad footing, strip footing and raft footing. Students will learn to calculate settlements in both cohesive and granular soils. The bearing capacity of shallow foundations will be calculated accounting for the shape of the foundation and inclination of the loads. This module will also present deep foundations. Classification criteria and methods of installation of piles will be presented. Students will calculate settlements of deep foundations in the case of a single pile and of a group of piles. The bearing capacity of piles subjected to vertical actions will also be determined. Basic concepts of ground improvement ranging from mechanical to chemical techniques will also be presented. All verifications will be conducted according to the Eurocode by considering both Serviceability Limit States (SLS) and Ultimate Limit States (ULS).

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture93:0027:00Lecture and Tutorials
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials202:0040:00Structured guided learning lecture.
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion130:0030:00Coursework Design Exercise
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical13:003:00Laboratory
Guided Independent StudySkills practice120:0020:00Structured guided learning (Canvas quizzes, Numbas exercises)
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery101:0010:00Online - Drop In Sessions
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study135:0035:00Includes background reading and reading lecture notes for a full understanding of materials
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study135:0035:00Project work
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The principles of foundations design and analysis are taught in lectures with several problem-solving small group teaching activities in order to gain an understanding of the design procedures. Analytical and numerical methods are taught during lectures and applied during the tutorial sessions. These methodologies will be used in the design exercise set as the assessment for the module.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Design/Creative proj2M100Design exercise – equivalent to approximately 4000 words (up to a maximum of 7 pages).
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The coursework is designed to allow students to demonstrate their understanding and knowledge of the foundations design and ground improvement process and the engineering theory it is based upon. The use of Eurocode 7 concepts in the design of shallow and deep foundations will be tested.

Reading Lists

Timetable