Reference no: EM132531169 , Length: word count:800

CIVL 0009 Geotechnology - Middle East College

Learning Outcome 1: Evaluate effective stresses in soil and assess the effects of groundwater table; analyse and interpret the shear strength of different soils; analyse and compare the behaviour of some common geotechnical problems (foundations, slopes); the concept of soil consolidation and be able to apply it to different geotechnical problems; classic theory of lateral earth pressure.

Learning Outcome 2: Analyse and design shallow foundations and slopes, based on typical (often limited) soil input (SI) data; calculate the time dependant behaviour of soils under (vertical) load; compute lateral earth pressure on retaining structures.

Assignment Objective

The objective of this coursework is to enhance students' analytical skills by setting tailor-made questions in such a way that they are asked to carry out the analysis & design of geotechnical problems with limited soil input data

Problem #1
An embankment is to be constructed from a fill on ground surface. It is important to determine in situ stresses (i.e. total vertical (normal) stress, pore water pressure, and the effective stress) at the centre of the clay layer and at the centre of the sand layer for the conditions stated below. For more details please find excel sheet
Note: Clay layer follows sand layer

a) Before the construction of the embankment.
b) Immediately after the construction of the embankment.
c) When ground water table lies at surface of ground level and below the foundation and discuss the change in the stresses values if any.
(Required data is provided in the attached excel sheet for Problem 1)

Problem #2
a. Design a square shallow foundation for a residential building of width B and depth D is carrying design load Q and resting on a soil of unit weight. For more details please find excel sheet
(Required data is provided in the attached excel sheet for Problem 2)

b. Determine the ultimate bearing capacity of the rectangular foundation, 3m x 6m, is to be founded at a depth of 1.8m below the ground surface of a deep stratum of soft saturated clay (Unit weight = 28 kN/m3). Undrained and consolidated undrained triaxial tests established the following soil parameters: C_u=24 kN/m², Φ' = 25°, c' = 0 for the following conditions
(i) immediately after construction,
(ii) some years after construction

Problem #3
a. Determine the lateral earth force at rest per unit length of the retaining wall when ground water table is acting at 3m below ground surface and find out the location of the resultant force. For more details please find excel sheet
(Required data is provided in the attached excel sheet for Problem 3)

b. What is foundation settlement and explain how it affects civil engineering constructions.

Problem #4
Discuss practical applications on how does water in the slope induces instability in constructions.

Attachment:- Geotechnology.rar