CIVIL 721 – FOUNDATION ENGINEERING
(15 Points, FC 2016)
COURSE CO-ORDINATOR:
Prof M J PENDER
Room 1.1102, ext. 87919, Email: m.pender@auckland.ac.nz
Dr L M WOTHERSPOON
Room 1.715, ext. 84784, E: l.wotherspoon@auckland.ac.nz
TIMES:
Three classes per week:
Monday
12.00 - 1.00
Tuesday
12.00 - 1.00
Wednesday 12.00 – 1.00
OFFICE HOURS:
403.407
303.101
403.407
M J Pender
Monday & Wednesday
L M Wotherspoon Tuesday & Thursday
3:00-4:00pm
2:00-3:00pm
1.1102
1.715
PHILOSOPHY AND PURPOSE:
This course, follows on from Geomechanics 1, Geomechanics 2. It is intended to provide the basic
applications of the principles of geomechanics to problems in Foundation Engineering. It is also
intended to provide Foundation Engineering skills for students with an interest in Structural
Engineering.
COURSE ASSESSMENT: Final Exam - 70%, Coursework - 30%
Test:
1 hour
15%
Monday May 09 (6.00 pm, 401.439).
The marked scripts will be available at the
Student Services stall (level 3) from Monday
May 16. Student ID is required to collect
your script.
Design Projects (group work):
10%
Bridge foundation design: Tuesday April 26
Gravity retaining wall foundation design:
Monday May 23
Marking for the design projects will be
allocated on the basis of 1/3 for effort, 1/3 for
insight, and 1/3 for the results. Projects will be
handed in to Student Services Stall and marked
projects will be available at the SSS.
Assignments:
5%
A number of assignments will be given.
Completion of all of these will contribute up to
5% of the final mark for the course.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
In this course, it is intended that the student will:
 become familiar with foundation engineering terminology and understand how the principles of
geomechanics are applied in the design of foundations
 appreciate how foundation design and structural design are linked activities
 develop a deepening appreciation of geomechanics as a coherent body of knowledge and how it
relates to the wider field of civil engineering
 through assignments, tutorial examples and a design project develop a facility for thinking about
foundation options
 become familiar with the use of Mathcad as a useful tool for undertaking design calculations.
COURSE OUTLINE:
The major topics to be covered in the course are:
 Limit state design of foundations – ultimate limit state and serviceability limit state
 Ultimate and serviceability limit state approaches for the design of shallow foundations
 Application of these concepts to the design of retaining structures
 Ultimate and serviceability limit state approaches for the design of deep foundations
 Provide some information about current foundation construction techniques
 Give some insight into site investigation procedures and interpretation of data obtained
 Consider special aspects of house foundation design and construction.
TEXTBOOKS:
A set of pre-printed notes is available for the course. This is the main teaching resource, students are
expected to purchase this. It will be available at the start of lectures.
The following books will be on desk copy in the library:
Lancellotta, R. “Geotechnical Engineering”, Balkema, 1995, (Call number: 624.13 L22).
Fleming, W. G. K., Weltman, A. J., Randolf, M. F. & Elson, W. K. “Piling Engineering”,
2nd edition, E&F N Spon 1992, (Call number: TA780 .P494 1985).
Salgado, R. “The engineering of foundations”. McGraw-Hill, 2008. (Call number: TA775 .S2374
2008).