Course code BūvZ3106

Credit points 3

Soil Mechanics and Foundations III

Total Hours in Course81

Independent study hours81

Date of course confirmation10.03.2021

Responsible UnitInstitute of Civil Engineering and Wood Processing

Course developers

author lect.

Gints Mauševics

Mg. sc. ing.

author Būvniecības un kokapstrādes institūts

Guntis Andersons

Dr. sc. ing.

Prior knowledge

BūvZ2040, Structural Analysis I

BūvZ3078, Structural Analysis II

BūvZ3093, Actions on Building Structures

BūvZ3104, Soil Mechanics and Foundations I

Ģeol4001, Engineering Geology

Course abstract

The course project gives knowledge about physical and mechanical properties of soils, the basic concepts of soil mechanics. The principles for geotechnical design are acquired in accordance with Eurocodes and Latvian Building Codes (LBN). Students develops skills in the design of shallow and pile foundations (methods of bearing resistance and deformation calculation are acquired). The types of monolithic and prefabricated foundations and design principles are considered. In the course designing uses the BIM system software GEO as well as AutoCAD, MS Excel and Mathcad.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

• Knowledge: about the mechanical and physical properties of soils, the basic concepts of soil mechanics, the methods of stress detection in the soils, the calculation methods for soils, types of foundation and their uses in building construction - defense of the course project.
• Skills: ability to calculate strength and deformations of soils - defense of the course project.
• Competence: ability to choose a rational foundation of building and calculation method according to loads, service conditions and geotechnical conditions - defense of the course project.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Engineering assessment of geotechnical data. Determination of design values of loads and geotechnical characteristics.
2. Horizontal and vertical position of foundations. Determination of foundation depth.
3. Calculation of bearing resistance of subgrade soil. Determination approximate dimensions for shallow foundations.
4. Diagrams of vertical stresses in soils caused by self-weight of soil and external loads transferred to shallow foundation. Calculation of settlement of shallow foundations.
5. Impact of adjacent foundation on settlement. Determination of final dimensions of shallow foundations.
6. Determination of permissible load on a single pile. Approximate dimensions of pile foundation and number of piles designed.
7. Diagramms of vertical stresses in soils caused by self-weight of soil and external loads transferred to pile foundations. Calculation of settlement of pile foundations. Determination of final dimensions and number of piles.
8. Design of graphical part and explanatory notes of the course project.

Requirements for awarding credit points

A building foundation project has been developed, completed and successfully defended.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The student carries out a Building foundation project according to the individual task of the course project.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The evaluation of the course project takes into account the participation in the classes and the regular development of the project (30%), presentation of project and knowledge in defense of course project (70%). The student should be able to prove the acquired knowledge, skills and competence while defending the independently developed course project.

Compulsory reading

1. Bitainis A., Rosihins J. Praktiskā gruntsmehānika. Rīga, Zvaigzne, 1985. 300 lpp. 2. Filipenkovs V., Tūna M., Grabis J. Ģeotehnikas pamatkurss. Lekcijas un praktiskās nodarbības. Rīga, Rīgas Tehniskā Universitāte, 2006. 166 lpp. 3. Frank R., Baudulin C., Driscoll R., Kavvadas M., Krebs Ovsen N., Orr T., Schuppener B. Designers’ guide to EN 1997-1 Eurocode 7: Geotechical design – General rules. London : Thomas Telford, 2004. 216 p. 4. Manual for the geotechnical design of structures to Eurocode 7. London, The Institution of Structural Engineers. 2013. 249 p.

Further reading

1. EN 1997-1: Ģeotehniskā projektēšana. 1. daļa: Vispārīgie norādījumi 2. LBN 207-15 Ģeotehniskā projektēšana. 3. Aysen A. Soil Mechanics: Basic concepts and engineering applications. London: New York: Taylor & Francis, 2005. 457 p. 4. Craig, R. F. Soil mechanics. London etc.: E. & F.N.Spon, 1997. 495 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Barnes G. Soil mechanics: principles and practice. 3rd ed. Basingstoke : Palgrave Macmillan, 2010. 2. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management. Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. ISSN 1392-3730. 3. Būvinženieris: Latvijas Būvinženieru savienības izdevums. Rīga: Latvijas Būvinženieru savienība. ISSN 1691-9262.

Notes

Professional Bachelor’s study programme “Civil Engineering”; Second level professional higher educational programme “Civil Engineering”