Introduction to Foundations Engineering

Steven F. Bartlett, Ph.D., P.E.

“Why You Should Study

Geotechnical Engineering”

or

“Who Needs a Foundation

Engineer Anyway???”

Foundation Engineer

Geotechnical engineer who specializes in the design and construction oversight of foundations and retaining structures.

Foundation engineers are called upon to determine the best way of transferring structural loads from buildings, bridges, machines, highway signs, etc. to soil and rock in a safe and economical manner

Grand Challenges in Engineering

http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/cms/challenges.aspx

Restore and Improve Infrastructure

In 2005, the American Society of Civil Engineers issued a report card, grading various categories of U.S. infrastructure. The average grade was D.It is no secret that America’s infrastructure, along with those of many other countries, is aging and failing, and that funding has been insufficient to repair and replace it. Engineers of the 21st century face the formidable challenge of modernizing the fundamental structures that support civilization.

Restore and Improve Infrastructure

Keys to improving / restoring infrastructure

• FASTER•Engineers must learn to design and construct systems in a more efficient manner.

• CHEAPER•Systems must be constructed in a more economical manner.

• SMARTER• More environmentally friendly• More sustainable• Reusable• Recycleable

Foundation Engineering Tools

• Engineering Science• Soil and Rock Mechanics

• Codes and Standards• AASHTO and IBC

• Experience• Design and Construction

• Publications• ASCE JGGE

• Short Courses• Computing

Foundation Types

• Shallow Foundations• Deep Foundations

Shallow Foundation (Types)

Shallow Foundation – Spot Footing

Shallow Foundation – Spread Footing

Shallow Foundations

Mat Foundation

Shallow Foundations

Driven foundations1.1 Pile foundation systems1.2 Monopile foundation

2 Drilled piles2.1 Under reamed piles2.2 Augercast pile2.3 Pier and grade beam foundation

3 Speciality piles3.1 Micropiles3.2 Tripod piles3.3 Sheet piles3.4 Soldier piles3.5 Suction Piles3.6 Adfreeze Piles3.7 Vibrated Stone Columns

4 Piled walls4.1 Secant piled walls4.2 Slurry walls

Deep Foundation (Types)

“Driven” Pile Foundations

Offshore Pile Foundations

Soldier Pile and Lagging

Drilled pier has no outer shell, just reinforcement

Foundations – Deep Footings

Drilled Shaft

Cast in place pile has metal outer shell

Micropiles

Cassions

Examples of Geotechnical ProjectPetronas Towers Foundations

Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Completion Date: 1998

Cost: $1.6 billion

Height: 1,483 feet

Stories: 88

Petronas Towers Foundations

Concrete mat

Pile Foundation

Examples of Geotechnical ProjectsGolden Gate Bridge Foundations

Location: San Francisco and Sausalito, California, USA

Completion Date: 1937

Cost: $27 million

Length: 8,981 feet

Type: Suspension

Golden Gate Bridge (Marin Pier)1. Start rock dike (Coffer)

2. Crib dike part that is in water (timber box filled w/ rock and set in place).

3. Install sheet piling.

4. Pump area dry.

5. Construction foundation on rock surface exposed below water level.

Retaining Structures

Common Types

Retaining Structures

Gravity Retaining Wall

Retaining Structures

Gravity Retaining Wall

Retaining Structures

Gravity Retaining Wall

Retaining Structures

Cantilevered Retaining Wall

Retaining Structures

Crib Wall

Retaining Structures

2-Stage MSE Retaining Wall

Retaining Structures

2-Stage MSE Retaining Wall

Retaining Structures

2-Stage MSE Retaining Wall

Sheetpiles – Coffer Dam

Retaining Structures

Pumping inside Coffer Dams

Retaining Structures

Retaining Structures

Contiguous Bored Pile Wall

Retaining Slopes

Slope Reinforcement with Geotextile

Geofoam Walls / Embankment

Geofoam Walls / Embankment

Concrete Load Distribution Slab

Ground Modification (cont)

Vibro-concrete

DynamicCompaction Mini piles

Ground Modification(Ground Improvement)

CompactionGrouting

Vibro-compaction

Vibro-replacement

Ground Modification (cont)

vibropier

Ground Modification (cont)

Geopier with bar

Ground Modification (cont)

geopier

Ground Modification (cont)

Lime cement columns

Ground Modification (cont)

Lime cement columns

Questions