Geotechnical Engineering Design -II
Tutorial Session
By :Tenaye Zeberga(Msc, in Geothechnical Engineering)
specific learning outcomes of the [Link]. degree program
in civil engineering that categorized under Geotechnical
engineering
Articulate the peculiar features of soil as an engineering material
and the phase relationships developed and distinguish between the
various soil classification schemes.
Evaluate the sources of stress in and on a soil mass and be
able perform computations to quantify geostatic & additional
stresses .
Cont.…
Articulate principle of seepage through porous media and be able to
determine rate of flow, effective stresses , gradients and etc.
Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of soil compaction, uses,
applications, field implementations etc.
Conduct shear strength tests for soils and interpret their
corresponding results.
Articulate the various bearing capacity and earth pressure theories
and methods of calculation.
Cont.…
Articulate the various bearing capacity and earth pressure
theories and methods of calculation.
Exhibit a working knowledge of soil slope stability analysis.
Identify appropriate and feasible site exploration methods
for different civil engineering projects and evaluate the
general suitability of a site for proposed projects.
Cont.…
Identify the different types of foundations to be used under various
condition to construct civil structures.
Understand design requirements, design situations and approaches to be
followed by different design philosophies and Perform geotechnical and
structural designs for different types of shallow foundation
Apply various ground improvement techniques and strengthen the soil
beneath the construction site to improve its load-bearing capacity,
stability, and other engineering properties.
Cont.…
Analysis and design of pile foundation and retaining system.
Apply geosyntheticscis to reinforce and improve the subsoil
condition.
Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of the analysis and design of
deep foundations.
1. Piles:
• Types:
• Driven Piles:
* Displacement Piles: These piles displace a significant volume of soil during installation.
* Closed-End Piles: (e.g., steel pipe piles with closed ends, precast concrete piles) - They compact the soil
around them, increasing frictional resistance.
* Full-Displacement Screw Piles: (e.g., screw piles, helical piles) - These piles use a screw-shaped blade to
displace soil and create a compacted column.
* Non-Displacement Piles: These piles remove soil during installation.
* Open-End Piles: (e.g., steel pipe piles without closed ends, H-piles) - The soil enters the pile, and it can
be removed. They are often used in dense soils where displacement piles would be difficult to drive.
• Bored Piles (Drilled Shafts/Caissons):
* Straight-Shaft: A cylindrical hole is drilled, and concrete is poured.
* Belled or Underreamed: The base of the pile is enlarged to increase the bearing area. This is suitable
where there is a strong bearing layer at a reasonable depth.
* Cased or Uncased: Cased piles use a steel casing to prevent the borehole from collapsing during drilling
and concreting. Uncased piles rely on the soil's natural stability.
• Materials: Steel, concrete, timber, composite materials.
• Purpose:
• Load Transfer: Transfer structural loads to a deeper, stronger soil stratum or bedrock.
• Resist Uplift Forces: Resist uplift forces caused by wind, buoyancy, or expansive soils.
• Compaction: Compact loose granular soils around the pile.
• Reduce Settlement: Minimize settlement of structures on compressible soils.
• Resist Lateral Loads: Resist lateral loads from wind, earthquakes, or soil pressure.
• Bridge Support: Support bridge piers and abutments.
2. Drilled Shafts (Caissons/Bored Piles):
• Types: (As listed above in Bored Piles) Straight-Shaft, Belled or Underreamed, Cased or Uncased.
• Materials: Reinforced concrete.
• Purpose:
• Heavy Load Support: Support very heavy structural loads from buildings, bridges, and industrial
facilities. Drilled shafts can typically handle significantly higher loads than driven piles.
• Variable Soil Conditions: Can be installed in a wide range of soil conditions, including those with
boulders or obstructions.
• Minimal Vibration: Installation produces less vibration and noise compared to driven piles.
• Deep Penetration: Can be installed to greater depths than driven piles.
• Inspectable: The borehole can be inspected before concrete is poured.
• Combined End Bearing and Skin Friction: Resist loads through both end bearing on a strong layer and
skin friction along the shaft.
3. Caissons (Box Caissons, Pneumatic Caissons):
• Types:
• Box Caissons: Prefabricated hollow boxes (usually concrete or steel) that are sunk into place. The
bottom is open or closed, and the interior can be filled with concrete or other material.
• Pneumatic Caissons: Watertight boxes with a working chamber at the bottom where workers can
excavate the soil in a pressurized environment. Used when the water table is high and dewatering is
difficult.
• Materials: Concrete, steel.
• Purpose:
• Very Heavy Loads in Water: Support extremely heavy loads, especially in marine environments, such
as bridge piers, docks, and harbor structures.
• Deep Excavation: Allow for excavation and construction below the water table.
• Control of Groundwater: Pneumatic caissons provide a controlled environment for excavation below
the water tabl
1. Which of the following is NOT a type of deep foundation?
a) Piles
b) Drilled Shafts
c) Slab-on-grade
d) Caissons
2. The primary purpose of deep foundations is to:
a) Reduce the cost of construction
b) Transfer loads to stronger soil or rock layers at depth
c) Improve the aesthetic appearance of a building
d) Prevent surface erosion
3. Which type of pile typically displaces a significant volume of soil during installation?
a) Open-end pipe pile
b) H-pile
c) Closed-end pipe pile
d) Drilled shaft
4. Belled or underreamed drilled shafts are primarily used to:
a) Increase skin friction along the shaft
b) Increase the end bearing area
c) Reduce the cost of concrete
d) Prevent groundwater intrusion
5. What is the main advantage of using pneumatic caissons in foundation construction?
a) They are cheaper than other deep foundation types
b) They allow for excavation and construction below the water table in a pressurized environment
c) They are easy to install in dense soils
d) They require less specialized equipment
6. A foundation is needed to support a very heavy bridge pier in a river. Which type of deep foundation would
likely be MOST suitable?
a) Timber piles
b) Steel H-piles
c) Caissons
d) Helical piles
7. Which of the following factors is LEAST important when selecting a deep foundation type?
a) Soil conditions at the site
b) The magnitude and type of structural loads
c) The architect's preferred aesthetic
d) Environmental conditions (e.g., water table, corrosive soils)
8. In what situation would a non-displacement pile (like an open-ended pipe pile or H-pile) be preferred
over a displacement pile (like a closed-ended pipe pile)?
a) When soil compaction is desired to increase frictional resistance.
b) When installing piles in dense, over-consolidated soils.
c) When uplift forces are a major concern.
d) When the primary goal is to reduce noise and vibration during installation.
9. Which of the following deep foundation types relies primarily on skin friction to support loads, rather
than end bearing?
a) Belled drilled shaft
b) Pile driven to bedrock
c) Floating pile in soft clay
d) Caisson resting on dense sand
10. Which deep foundation type is MOST suitable for resisting significant lateral loads in addition to
vertical loads?
a) Timber piles
b) Drilled shafts with large diameters
c) Helical piles
d) Driven steel H-piles
Answer Key:
1. c
2. b
3. c
4. b
5. b
6. c
7. c
8. b
9. c
10. b
1. Which of the following is NOT a primary consideration in selecting a pile type for a foundation?
a) Soil conditions
b) Load requirements
c) Availability of equipment
d) Color of the pile
2. The bearing capacity of a pile in cohesive soil is primarily determined by:
a) Skin friction
b) End bearing
c) A combination of skin friction and end bearing
d) Pile diameter alone
3. Negative skin friction on a pile can occur when:
a) The pile is driven into dense sand.
b) The soil surrounding the pile settles more than the pile.
c) The pile is subjected to uplift forces.
d) The groundwater table rises.
4. What is the purpose of pile load testing?
a) To determine the aesthetic appearance of the pile.
b) To verify the design assumptions and determine the actual capacity of the pile.
c) To measure the pile's length after installation.
d) To assess the pile's resistance to corrosion.
5. Group efficiency of piles is typically:
a) Always greater than 1.0.
b) Always less than 1.0.
c) Equal to 1.0.
d) Dependent on pile spacing and soil type.
6. Which of the following factors is most significant when designing a pile group?
a) Pile material cost
b) Pile cap dimensions
c) Spacing between piles
d) Pile driving hammer weight
7. What is the main purpose of a pile cap?
a) To protect the piles from corrosion
b) To distribute the load from the structure to the piles
c) To increase the bearing capacity of the soil
d) To provide a level surface for construction
Retaining Systems
8. Which of the following is NOT a type of retaining wall?
a) Gravity wall
b) Cantilever wall
c) Sheet pile wall
d) Diaphragm wall
e) Suspension bridge wall
9. The active earth pressure on a retaining wall is:
a) The pressure exerted by the soil when it is at rest.
b) The minimum pressure exerted by the soil when it yields slightly.
c) The maximum pressure exerted by the soil when it is fully compacted.
d) Equal to the weight of the soil behind the
10. What is the primary purpose of weep holes in a retaining wall?
a) To allow for thermal expansion and contraction.
b) To drain water from behind the wall and reduce hydrostatic pressure.
c) To provide ventilation for the soil.
d) To improve the aesthetic appearance of the wall.
11. A cantilever retaining wall is primarily designed to resist earth pressure through:
a) Its weight.
b) The bending moment and shear force developed in the wall stem and base.
c) Anchors and tiebacks.
d) Soil arching.
12. Which type of retaining wall relies primarily on its own weight for stability?
a) Cantilever wall
b) Sheet pile wall
c) Gravity wall
d) Counterfort wall
13. What is a tieback anchor used for in a retaining wall system?
a) To improve drainage behind the wall
b) To increase the wall's resistance to sliding and overturning
c) To protect the wall from frost heave
d) To enhance the wall's aesthetic appeal
14. What is a key advantage of using a sheet pile wall for a temporary excavation?
a) High cost-effectiveness for permanent structures
b) Ease of installation and removal
c) Superior aesthetic appearance
d) Unsuitability for deep excavations
Answers:
1. d
2. c
3. b
4. b
5. d
6. c
7. b
8. e
9. b
10. b
11. b
12. c
13. b
14. b