Learning objectives
This course is prevalently oriented to the solution of application problems and its main purpose is to provide students with the basic principles for tackling classical geotechnical engineering design.
The course deals with the Geotechnical aspects of the analysis and design of shallow and deep foundations, including site subsurface exploration and testing, bearing capacity and settlement calculations.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
Recall of the fundamental concepts regarding soil mechanics.
Planning Site Investigation: site characterization; field reconnaissance.
Ground Investigation: drilling methods; disturbed and undisturbed sampling.
Geotechnical characterization: features of a geotechnical report.
Aknowledgement of soils: strength and deformability parameters; permeability coefficient; determination of coefficient of consolidation on the basis of laboratory and in-situ tests.
In-situ testing: Cone Penetration Test (CPT), Standard Penetration Test (SPT), Pressiometer and Flat Dilatometer Test (DMT), Field Vane test, geophysical exploration, other in-situ tests and interpretation of soil parameters for foundation design.
An in-depth look into the geotechnical and structural aspects of foundation engineering, under the point of view of measurements and controls.
Shallow foundations: methods to determine bearing capacity ad settlements.
Soil-structure interaction: different soil models; soil pressure; settlements and sectional forces for simple beams systems; theory of subgrade reaction modulus and the elastic continuum theory. Remarks on constructional questions and cases of damages.
Deep foundations: classification of pile types and construction methods, ultimate load capacity; lateral loading; estimating pile length; correlations for calculation of pile capacity with SPT and CPT results; frictional resistance in sand and clay; design examples.
Full programme
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Bibliography
Carlo Viggiani. Fondazioni. Ed. Hevelius
Lorella Montrasio. Geotecnica. Ed. Santa Croce
Teaching methods
The course includes the development of theoretical lectures and exercises
The practical activities
is carried out on all the topics covered during the lectures. It is expected that the solution of the exercises in character design is obtained directly from the students. Finally, the teacher proposes the solution of the problem assigned
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam consists in two parts: a written test, regarding a design problem, and an oral test on theory. Alternatively, two written tests could be taken during the course: who passes these tests is exonerated by the final one.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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