2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

CIVE5975M Foundation Engineering (MSc)

15 creditsClass Size: 70

Module manager: Dr. Shashank B. Subramanyam
Email: S.B.Subramanyam@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Satisfactory completion of undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering or an equivalent qualification

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

The module will build on a basic understanding of the behaviour of soil to cover the range of foundations available for structures, including shallow foundations such as strip, pad and raft foundations, deep foundations such as caissons, shafts and piles; and composite foundations such as piled rafts and ground improvement. It will cover the approach to design, analysis and construction of foundations. Soil improvement will be covered. Assessment is by a three hour open book examination and a project.

Objectives

On completion of this module the students should have a knowledge of the range of foundations available for construction, their analysis, construction and performance and be able to select the appropriate foundation for a particular situation.

Learning outcomes
On completion of the module students will have:

1. The ability to apply a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of scientific principles and methodology of foundations for structures, their performances during construction and in service; (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M1);

2. Apply a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of scientific and engineering principles of geotechnical hazards and how they affect design decisions for temporary and permanent works for foundations. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M1);

3. Ability to extract and evaluate pertinent data and to apply engineering analysis techniques in the solution of complex and unfamiliar problems (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M2);

4. Ability to both select and apply appropriate engineering analysis methods for solving complex foundation problems and to assess their limitations (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M3);

5. Apply knowledge, understanding and skills to work with information that may be incomplete or uncertain, quantify the effect of this on the design adjusting where appropriate (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M2);

6. Apply advanced problem-solving skills, technical knowledge and understanding, to establish rigorous and creative solutions for foundations including the selection of appropriate materials and technologies while recognising their limitations (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M13);

7. Ability to work with technical uncertainty;

8. Design complex foundations solutions that demonstrate originality and consideration of environmental aspects. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M5).


This module contributes to the AHEP4 learning outcomes M1, M2, M3, M5 and M13.

Skills outcomes
Academic:

a). An ability to extract and evaluate pertinent data and to apply engineering analysis techniques in the solution of foundation problems;

b). An ability to identify geotechnical hazards and assess the risk of them occurring;

c). An ability to assess the forces acting on a foundation and the response of the soil to those forces;

d). An ability to produce engineering solutions to foundation problems.


Digital:

e). The ability to find, evaluate, organise and share information across a variety of formats, ensuring the reliability and integrity both of the sources used;

f). The ability to use digital technology and techniques to create digital items (e.g. spreadsheets for foundation analysis), and the willingness to engage with new practices and perspectives to solve problems, make decisions and answer questions.

Enterprise:

g). The ability to search for, evaluate and use appropriate and relevant information sources to help strengthen the quality of academic work and independent research.


Sustainability Skills:

h). Understands and evaluates multiple outcomes; their own visions for the future; applies the precautionary principle; assesses the consequences of actions; deals with risks and changes; uses scenario planning;

i). Applies different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainable development problems; develops viable, inclusive and equitable solutions; utilises appropriate competencies to solve problems; develops innovative and creative solutions.


Work ready:

j). The ability to prioritise, work efficiently and productively and to manage your time well in order to meet deadlines;

k). The ability to take a logical approach to solving problems; resolving issues by tackling from different angles, using both analytical and numerical skills. The ability to understand, interpret, analyse and manipulate analytical and numerical data.

Syllabus

1.Review of the behaviour of granular and cohesive soil, drained and
undrained loading, consolidation and compression characteristics.
2. The design process covering methods to deal with uncertainty, design
and load combinations, assumptions, the design procedure and
decision criteria.
3. Actions on and analysis (ultimate limit state and serviceability limit
state) of:
- Shallow foundations - pad, strip and raft
- Deep foundations – caissons, shafts and piles
- Composite foundation – piled rafts, basements and ground
improvement.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Class tests, exams and assessment	1	3.00	3.00
Lecture	11	3.00	33.00
Practical	2	3.00	6.00
Private study hours			108.00
Total Contact hours			42.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

The assignment for this course is to design a foundation for a structure. Students are required to produce the ground model and undertake analysis to determine the overall stability, the local stability and deformation of the structure. The assignment will be carried out in two parts; the first part, formative exercise, covers the assessment of geotechnical hazards, creation of the ground model, a summary of the assumptions and approach to the design and the design of shallow foundations; the second part is the report of the complete foundation design and that is assessed. This exercise will be used by students to assemble a portfolio of material to support them in the exam and ensure that they have covered the topics that could be examined.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Short, weekly on line tests are used by students to assess their understanding of basic principles which they should be familiar
with
- A mock exam is held at the end of the semester to prepare students for an open book exam
- The coursework includes a formative exercise to help students understand what is expected of them

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	Project Report on Foundation Design	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		30.00

Resit: 100% online time-limited assessment. There will also be a piece of formative coursework (i.e. it does not count towards the final grading) - a report on assumptions. This is a compulsory element.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Online Time-Limited assessment	5 hr 00 mins	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		70.00

Resit 100% Exam.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 23/08/2024 16:28:05

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