Far Western University

Faculty of Engineering
Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)
Course of Study

Course Title: Foundation Engineering Credit: 3

Course Code.:CE 473 Number of lecture/week: 3
Nature of the Course: Theory Tutorial/week: 1
Year/Semester: Fourth/Seventh Total hours: 60

1. Course Introduction:
The course is aimed to provide the basic knowledge of Foundation Engineering of civil
engineering works. Foundation Engineering is very fundamental subject consisting of
selection of proper type of foundation as per sub-soil profile and type of structure. Any
civil engineering structure needs strong and stable foundation which depends on proper
understanding of soil behaviour, determination and interpretation of soil parameters,
determination of stresses in soil. The design of any foundation system is based on
understanding of soil parameters and its implication based on through interaction with type of
structure. The course on Foundation Engineering provides the students basic knowledge on
foundation selection, foundation forces, foundation design and its stability under seismic
forces. Various types of foundation and their analytical solution helps the student to design
suitable foundation with respect to soil and site condition.

2. Course Objectives:
At the end of this course the student should be able:
1. Students will learn how to design shallow and deep foundations, retaining walls, and
slopes.
2. Students will learn how to utilize their knowledge in soil mechanics to perform various
types of engineering calculations. This includes consolidation analysis for foundations, and
stability analysis of slopes and retaining walls.
Learning Outcomes:
1. To learn about types and purposes of different foundation systems and structures.
2. To provide students with exposure to the systematic methods for designing foundations.
3. To discuss and evaluate the feasibility of foundation solutions to different types of soil
conditions considering the time effect on soil behavior.
4. To build the necessary theoretical background for design and construction of foundation
systems.
3. Specific Objectives and Contents:

Specific Objectives Contents

 Understand the nature of the the Unit 1. Soil Exploration and Geophysical Investigation
deposits of soil.
(6 Hours)
 Able to know the depth and
thickness of the various soil strata 1.1 Introduction
and their extent in the horizontal 1.2 Planning for subsurface exploration
direction. 1.3 Methods of exploration
 Having the knowledge to obtain soil 1.4 Geophysical exploration
and rock samples from the various 1.5 Soil sampling and samplers
strata. 1.6 In-situ tests
 To know the in-situ properties by 1.7 Common soil tests
performing field tests.
1.8 Soil investigation report

 To know the definition of lateral Unit 2. Theory of Lateral Earth Pressure (6 Hours)
earth pressure and common 2.1 Introduction
structures that it applies to. 2.2 Types of earth pressures
 To know to calculate lateral earth 2.3 Different theories of earth pressures
pressure coefficients using the
2.4 Displacement-related earth pressure
Rankine and Coulomb theories.
2.5 Rankine and Coulomb theory
 To know to calculate of additional
forces acting on a wall, including 2.6 Terzaghi’s analysis
surcharge earthquake and water 2.7 Development of bearing capacity theory
pressure. 2.8 Development of uplift capacity theory
 Able to know the different types of Unit 3. Methods of Analyses (6 Hours)
analysis method used.
3.1 Introduction
 Familiar with the limit and fininite
element method of foundation 3.2 Different methods of analysis
design. 3.3 Limit equilibrium
 Able to calculate shear modulus 3.4 Limit analysis
using in-situ measurement, 3.5 Method of characteristics
theoretical relationships, and 3.6 Finite element method
experimental laboratory data.
 Able to understand different types of Unit 4. Design of Shallow Foundations (10 Hours)
foundation and its properties. 4.1 Introduction
 Able to calculate settlement of 4.2 Different types of foundations
foundation. 4.3 Calculation of bearing capacity
 To become the familiar with codal 4.4 Stresses in soil
provision used in shallow foundation
4.5 Concept of contact pressure
design.
4.6 Calculation of settlements
4.7 Codal provision
 Able to evaluate and satisfy sampling Unit 5. Design of Deep Foundations (12
requirements to support design Hours)
 requirements. 5.1 Introduction
 Able to design the different type of 5.2 Different types of foundations
deep foundation. 5.3 Analysis of Mat foundation
 Able to select the proper foundation 5.4 Design methodology for piles
type for appropriate site. 5.5 Calculation of pile capacity
 Able to design well foundation, piers 5.6 Stresses in pile
etc. 5.7 Analysis of pile group
5.8 Settlement of pile group
5.9 Concept of negative skin friction
5.10 Piles subjected to lateral loads
5.11 Pile load test
5.12 Design and construction of well foundation, piers
etc.
 Familiar with the different type of Unit 6. Design of Retaining Structures (8 Hours)
retaining structure on the basis of 6.1 Introduction
stability analysis. 6.2 Different types of retaining structures
 Able to design the retaining 6.3 Stability analysis of rigid walls
structures.
6.4 Design of cantilever sheet piles
 Able to know the bracing system for
6.5 Design of anchored sheet piles
underground structures.
6.6 Bracing system for underground construction
6.7 Failure analysis for bracing system
6.8 Dewatering
 Able to improvement of different Unit 7. Ground Improvement for Foundations
type of soils appropriately. (6 Hours)
 Able to use of soil reinforcement for 7.1 Introduction
ground improvement. 7.2 Significant characteristics of expansive soil
7.3 Techniques of ground improvement
7.4 Foundations in swelling soil
7.5 Use of soil reinforcement
 Able to know characteristics of load Unit 8. Design of Machine Foundations (6 Hours)
on machine foundation. 8.1 Introduction
 Able to know different types of 8.2 Free and forced vibration
dynamic properties of soils. 8.3 Dynamically loaded foundations
 Able to design the machine 8.4 Dynamic soil properties
foundation. 8.5 Mass-spring-dashpot model
8.6 Elastic half space theory

Prescribed Text:
1. Joseph E. Bowels, “Foundation Analysis and Design” McGraw-Hill International Editions.

References:
1. Dr. R.K. poudel and R. Neupane, A Text Book of Foundation Engineering “ Heritage
Publisher
2. V. N. S. Murthy; Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engineering; Sai Kripa Technical
Consultants, Banglore
3. Gopal Ranjan, Rao A.S.R.; Basic and applied soil mechanics; New age int. (p) ltd.
4. Arora K.R.; Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engineering; Standard Pub., Delhi
5. Das Braja M; Principles of Geotechnical Engineering; Thomson” Asia Pvt. Ltd.
6. B.C. Punamia; Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engineering; Laxmi Pub. Pvt. Ltd.,Delhi.
7. Bowles, J. E. 1988. Foundation Analysis and Design. McGraw-Hill.

Practical:
1. Unconfined compression test
2. Triaxial test
3. Standard penetration tes
4. Dynamic cone penetration test

One observation tour of a site investigation projects and each each student should prepare the
individual report on the basis of prescribed format.