Geotechnical Engineering

Catalog description

This course prepares students in the analysis, evaluation, and design of the most commonly used foundation systems to support buildings with an emphasis on shallow foundations. Included is a discussion of how all structural loads on buildings, most notably gravity loads and wind/seismic lateral loads, are transferred to the soil supporting the building. The design of foundation systems is a function of soil material properties, foundation material, and the selected foundation system. Topics include the basics of soil mechanics for foundation design for both strength (load capacity) and settlement (serviceability), and the design of the most commonly used types of foundation systems. This course provides students with the knowledge, tools, and understanding of material properties, analysis and design principles, and methods necessary for successful design and construction of common shallow foundation systems within the framework of quality control, code compliance, economic considerations and safety, while minimizing failure risks. Students are also provided with an overview of the most common forms of deep foundation systems including piles and drilled shafts.