CVE 333: Geotechnical Engineering Design

Fall 2015
Instructor: Dr. Magdi El-Emam
(e-mail: melemam@aus.edu)
Office: EB1-215 Phone: 515- 2989

American University of Sharjah

Civil Engineering Department

1. Course Number and Course Title:

CVE333 Geotechnical Engineering Design
2. Credits Hours:
303
3. Prerequisites and/or Co-Requisites:
Prerequisite: CVE 331- Geotechnical Engineering Principles
4. Course Description (Catalog Description):
Covers subsurface exploration and site investigation and evaluation; bearing capacity
of shallow foundations in different types of soils; settlement analysis (consolidation
and immediate); design of shallow foundations including footings and raftings; design
of deep foundation including driven piles, shafts and drilled piers; pile load tests; end
bearing and friction of deep foundations under axial loading; settlement of piles;
bearing capacity and settlement of pile groups; piles subjected to lateral loading and
moments; and design of pile foundations. Introduces design of retaining walls.
Requires extensive use of computer aided design in team-projects.
5. Textbook and other Supplemental Material:
Textbook:
Braja M. Das, Principles of Foundation Engineering, Seventh Edition, 2011,
CENFAGE Learning.
Supplemental:

Lecture notes and slides

6. Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of types and methods of site exploration
and characterization.
2. Interpret Standard Penetration Test (SPT), Cone Penetration Test (CPT) and Vane
Shear test (VST).
3. Calculate bearing capacity and settlement of shallow foundation.
4. Design spread footings, combined footings and raft foundations.
5. Determine axial load capacity of piles based on analytical methods and CPT
results.
6. Evaluate pile group efficiency in sand and clay and compute settlement of single
pile and pile group.
7. Evaluate stability of cantilever earth retaining wall.

CVE 333

Dr. Magdy El-Emam

7. Teaching and Learning Methodologies:

Methods include lectures, problems and project based learning methods (homework
assignments and/or research papers) and class discussions.
8. Course Topics and Schedule:
Topic
Subsurface exploration
Bearing capacity of shallow foundations
Settlement analysis
Design of single footing, combined footing and rafts
Pile load capacity
Settlement of piles
Design of pile groups under axial loading
Design of cantilever retaining walls
Total:

Weeks
2.5
2
2
2.5
2
2
1
1
15

9. Schedule of Laboratory and other Non-Lecture Sessions:

Not Applicable
10. Out-of-Class Assignments with Due Dates:
Assignment
Subsurface Exploration
Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundation
Settlement of Shallow Foundation
Designing of Shallow foundation
Load Capacities of Piles
Pile groups and pile settlements

Due Date (tentative)

Week 2
Week 4
Week 6
Week 8
Week 10
Week 12

11. Contribution of Course to Program Outcomes

This course contributes to the accomplishment of the following program outcomes:
Program outcome

Emphasis in
this course

(c) an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired

needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental,
social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and
sustainability
(d) an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
(k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools
necessary for engineering practice.

Emphasis: High; Medium; Low

Developed by: Dr. Magdi El-Emam
Fall 2015

CVE 333

Dr. Magdy El-Emam

Course Policy
1. Homework and Problem Sets
Due at the specified dates and times.
Must be handed in at the END of the class in which they are due.
No credit will be given for late homework.
In case of copying any homework, BOTH students will get a ZERO for this homework.
A portion of the grade for each assignment may be deducted for poor or inadequate
clarity of the solution.
All calculations, graphs, and tables shall be neat, and on engineering paper, graph paper,
or computer paper (the use of spreadsheets is encouraged).
All variables and assumptions shall be clearly indicated at the beginning of each solution
(not lost somewhere in the middle). Final answers should be given with an appropriate
number of significant figures, and clearly identified. Units should be indicated throughout
the calculations as well as in the final answer.
2. Exams
Two major exams will be given during the course. Makeup exams will NOT be given.
Special extenuating circumstances, which may cause a student to miss a scheduled exam, will
be evaluated on an individual basis.

3. Tentative Exam Dates: Tuesday, Oct. 27 (at 5:00), and Tuesday Dec 8,
2015 (at 5:00).
4. Unannounced short quizzes: Those may be given at any time during regular classes.
Please be prepared to answer questions on material covered up to the previous Lecture.
5. Attendance
According to the AUS regulations, students MUST attend at least 85 % of the sessions. Once
the Student has missed 15% of the class session, the instructor will initiate withdrawal of the
student from the course. A grade of WF will be entered on the students permanent record
and will be calculated in the GPA.
5. Evaluation of the Students
Class Participation
Homework
Quizzes
Project
Scheduled Exams (20%for the each exam)
Final Exam
Total
Course Passing Rate

CVE 333

5%
5%
10%
5%
40%
35%
100%
65%

Dr. Magdy El-Emam

General Class Rules*

a. All mobile phones should be switched off during the class time.
b. No food or drinks during class.
c. No students will be admitted to the class after the instructor enters the
class.
d. Sleeping and talking to class mates are not Allowed .

* Students who do not follow these rules will be asked to leave the classroom.

CVE 333

Dr. Magdy El-Emam