Geotechnical engineering

Course content

The course studies the mechanical behaviour of geotechnical structures and particularly the interactions between the structures and the ground. Four main parts will be addressed:

The pile and raft foundations with their designs based on laboratory and in-situ test results. Several applications will be considered: single piles, groups of piles, compensated raft foundations. Techniques of ground improvement for geotechnical works are also addressed.
The retaining structures including the stability analysis and the theory of Rankine’s limit states and its applications: gravity walls, sheetpiles, anchors, slurry walls, etc.
The slope stability including the plane and rotational surfaces of failure
Ground dewatering and groundwater control.

Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

Explain the working principles of the different foundations techniques, and describe the advantages and drawbacks of each of them
Select the most appropriate foundations technique according to the ground conditions and the type and the level of the loads to bear
Design the foundations according to the Belgian recommandations
Describe the different techniques of soil improvement used for geotechnical works
Quantify the horizontal earth pressures acting on a retaining structure
Explain the working principles of the different retaining structures solutions
Select the most appropriate retaining structure according to the ground conditions and the requirements of the building
Design the retaining structures considering the different mechanisms of stability involved in such structures
Describe the different mechanisms of instability of soil slopes
Assess the stability of a soil slope and propose adequate solutions to stabilize it if needed
Select a dewatering technique according to the ground conditions and the specifications of the construction
Design the dewatering technique

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical lectures and guided exercise sessions, including one session dedicated to using the software K-Réa for designing flexible retaining structures.

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

Das B.M. (2007). Principles of Foundation Engineering, 6th Edition, Cengage Learning.

Das B.M. (2007b). Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, Thomson edition.

B. François. Soil Mechanics, BA3. ULB.

Course notes

Université virtuelle

Contribution to the teaching profile

This teaching unit contributes to the following competences:

- In-depth knowledge and understanding of exact sciences with the specificity of their application to engineering
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of integrated structural design methods in the framework of a global design strategy.
- Ability to accurately report on research or design results in the form of a technical report or scientific paper.
- Skill in presenting and defending results in a scientifically sound manner, using contemporary communication tools, for both national and international professional or lay audiences.
- Capability to design (both conceptually and quantitatively) geotechnical structures by applying the fundamental concepts of soil mechanics.

Other information

Additional information

Participation in the computer session (exercises on K-Réa) and possible seminars with invited speakers is mandatory. Attendance is required, and the dates for these sessions will be provided by the instructor at the start of the course. Students who miss these sessions without a valid excuse might not be ineligible for evaluation. Students can only be exempted with a valid excuse which must be communicated to the instructors in a timely manner.

Contacts

Professors Alessia CUCCURULLO and Pierre GERARD are the coordinators of the course. Please contact them in case of questions related to the organization of the course.

Prof. Alessia CUCCURULLO, Solbosch campus, Building C, level 4, alessia.cuccurullo@ulb.be
Prof. Pierre GERARD, Solbosch campus, Building C, level 4, gerard.pierre@ulb.be

Campus

Solbosch

Evaluation

Method(s) of evaluation

written examination
Written report

written examination

Written report

The evaluation includes:

1 written report on the computer session (use of software K-Réa) (i.e. design of retaining structures).
1 written exam on theoretical concepts (Theory). This is a closed-book exam.
1 written exam on practical exercises (Exercises). This is a closed-book exam.

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

The final mark is composed of:

1 written report on the computer session (software K-Réa) (10%)
1 written exam on theoretical concepts (Theory) and one written exam on practical exercises (Exercises) (90%).

In case of failure in the first session, only the mark corresponding to the written report (K-Réa) can be carried over to the second session, while the written exams on Theory and Exercises must both be retaken.

Language(s) of evaluation

english