Overview

This unit of study aims to introduce you to the fundamentals and basic techniques used in Foundation Engineering. Specifically, it will provide you with the design and construction principles used in Foundation Engineering type structures such as earth retaining structures, sheet piles and shallow footings.

Requisites

Prerequisites
CVE20004 Geomechanics
Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Analyse earth retaining structures to determine active, passive and at rest lateral earth pressures (and associated forces) based on Rankine Theory and Coulomb Theory
  • Design the dimensions of retaining gravity and cantilever walls and assess the stability of these designed walls
  • Determine the appropriate section of sheet piles and the depth of embedment, maximum moment, and the tension in tie rod in case of using anchored sheet piles
  • Analyse bearing capacity of soils under shallow footings using Terzaghi and Myerhof equations
  • Design shallow footings based on dimensions, thickness, area and length
  • Determine the bearing capacities of single pile in sand and clay using static method and the distribution of load in group piles as well as their efficiencies
  • Conduct basic technical investigations, compile and analyse information, and produce a brief and concise report with an appropriate conclusion

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Lecture		2.67 12 weeks 32
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Tutorial		2.67 12 weeks 32
Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Individual Study		7.17 12 weeks 86
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
ExaminationIndividual 65 - 75% 1,2,3,4,5,6 
ReportGroup 10 - 15% 7 
TestIndividual 15 - 20% 1,2,3,4,5,6 

Content

  • Lateral Earth Pressure
  • Retaining Walls Design
  • Sheet Pile Walls
  • Bearing Capacity Equation
  • Structural Design of Shallow Footings
  • Piles

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.