Use the Tab and Up, Down arrow keys to select menu items.
Special Topic
Special Topic: Earth Retention and SupportThis class presents the theory and practice for the design and construction of earth retaining structures. Topics include rigid and flexible retaining structures, ranging from gravity and cantilever systems, cantilever and anchored sheet piling and bulkheads, tied-back shoring elements, soil nailing, and mechanically stabilized earth walls. Traditional methods for estimating seismically induced earth pressures are presented alongside recent research findings which challenge tradition. Topics are developed with a view to estimating compaction stresses and surface loading and invoke approaches that range from the static equations of equilibrium to empirical rules of thumb.This course includes the following topics:1. Evaluation of earth pressure theories including: Rankine, Coulomb, log-spiral, equivalent fluid, and presumptive pressures;2. Assessment of surface loading-induced earth pressure using theory of elasticity;3. Quantification of compaction-induced earth pressures and effects of stress history and hysteresis;4. Evaluation of external stability of rigid retaining structures;5. Design of cantilevered and anchored sheet pile structures, and soldier pile structures;6. Design of soil nailed cuts, slopes and excavations;7. Design of mechanically-stabilized fills; and,8. Seismically-induced earth pressures.
1. Integrate the performance requirements of rigid and flexible retaining structures into design requirements;2. Differentiate between limiting strength conditions to estimate appropriate earth pressures; 3. Analyze active and passive earth pressure conditions using earth pressure theory;4. Evaluate earth pressures induced by surface loads and compaction stresses;5. Analyze cantilevered, braced, and anchored excavation and shoring elements for stability and displacements; 6. Analyze flexible and inextensible internally reinforced soil fills for internal and external stability; and,7. Estimate seismically-induced earth pressures.
Subject to approval of the Programme Director
Students must attend one activity from each section.
Gabriele Chiaro
Assignments 50 %Quizzes 25 %Exam 25 % 100 %
Required: None.Strongly Recommended References:1. Soil Mechanics: Principles and Applications, Perloff and Baron 2. Foundation Engineering Handbook, 2nd Ed., Fang. 3. An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering, Holtz, Kovacs, and Sheahan, 2nd Edition4. Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice, 3rd Ed., Terzaghi, Peck & Mesri5. Principles of Foundation Engineering (7th Edition), Das6. NAVFAC DM 7 Design Manual: Soil Mechanics, Foundations and Earth Structures7. FHWA Manuals: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/geotech/library_listing.cfm
Domestic fee $1,268.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Civil and Environmental Engineering .