ENGINEERING TRIPOS PART IIB - 2012/2013

Module 4D4 -
Ground Engineering (not running 2011-12)

AIMS

This module aims to familiarise students with key design and construction aspects of those areas of ground engineering which are commonly encountered in many major civil engineering projects. These are underground construction and ground improvement. Underground construction is becoming increasingly important as underground space is being utilised in urban areas for mass transit systems and many other areas of infrastructure development. Ground improvement is a growing area with many new innovative techniques being introduced. The course will introduce students to the latest design and construction technologies being used in these areas, and will make extensive use of lecturers from industry.

LECTURE SYLLABUS

Topic A: Underground Construction (5L, Prof R.J. Mair; 2L, Dr M. Elshafie)

• Design and construction of deep excavations and retaining structures in different ground conditions (stability, serviceability and ground movements)
• Design and construction of bored tunnels in different ground conditions (stability and ground movements)
• Use of the Observational Method in Design
• Effects of ground movements on buildings and structures
• Building damage due to excavation-induced movements
• Protective measures and instrumentation

Topic B: Ground Improvement (2L, Prof R.J. Mair; 2L, Prof. K. Soga; 3L, Industry Speakers)

• Densification: compaction methods, dynamic compaction
• Drainage: pre-loading, sand drains, wick drains – design techniques
• Soil reinforcement: geotextiles, soil nailing, reinforced soil – design techniques
• Grouting: compensation, permeation, compaction, jet grouting

COURSEWORK

Three reports (each of equal value) are to be produced on the following topics:

1. Report A: Design of a deep excaration for a new station
   
   
2. Report B: Design of a bored tunnel through an urban area
   
   
3. Report C: Analysis and design of a reinforced soil slope
   
   

OBJECTIVES

On completion of the module, students should:

• Understand the key issues in design and construction of major underground infrastructure
• Be able to address stability and deformation problems relating to different types of deep basement construction (eg diaphragm walls, top-down construction, bottom-up construction) in different ground conditions
• Understand the principal design and construction problems associated with bored tunnel projects
• Be able to assess the impact of ground movements on buildings and services
• Be able to select appropriate ground improvement measures for different design problems
• Interpret data from soil compaction trials
• Design suitable systems of stone columns or wick drains in soft clay for speeding up consolidation
• Analyse and design reinforced soil systems using simplified limit equilibrium methods
• Appreciate the available technologies for the use of grouting for ground improvement

REFERENCES

Please see the Booklist for Group D Courses for references for this module.

Last updated: May 2012