INSTRUCTIONS FOR WRITING M.Sc.

THESIS
The students are required to follow the instructions for writing M.Sc. thesis in order to
have a uniform standard practice in the department and to avoid corrections. Typical
example pages are attached for more clarity.

PAPER SIZE, QUALITY AND MARGINS

Size:
A4 size paper: 8.27” x 11.69”

Quality:
Paper should be of “AA” brand and its weight should be 80gm.

Margins
Top 1.46”
Bottom 1”
Left 1.25”
Right 1”
Header 0.59”
Footer 0.71”

TEXT FORMATTING

 All text should be in Times New Roman

Title of Chapter

 Chapter Name (Centre text)

 Font size: 14 pt (bold)
 Leave three open lines below the title of chapter

The chapter number on the first page of that chapter should be written as Header 16 pt (italic)
right aligned. The chapter number (left aligned) and chapter title (right aligned) should be written
as Header (10 pts, italic) on the subsequent pages of that chapter.

Headings
Number headings consecutively.
Always provide at least one sentence that links the headings
1st level
 Two open lines above and one beneath
 Typeface: Times New Roman UPPER CASE
 Type size: 12 pt (bold)
 Number aligned to the left and text of heading at 1.0 cm tab stop

In case this heading is followed by a 2nd level heading take care that there is only one open line
between both headings.

2nd level:
 One open line above and half a line (6 pt) beneath
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  Typeface: italics
 Type size: 12 pt (bold)
 Number aligned to the left and text of heading at 1.3 cm tab stop
In case a 2nd level heading is followed by a third level heading take care that there is only half a
open line between both headings.

3rd level:

Avoid third level headings if possible. If necessary then

 Half a line above and no open line beneath

 Typeface: italics
 Type size: 12 pt (bold)
 Number aligned to the left and text of heading at 1.6 cm tab stop

Headings without number:

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, ABSTRACT, REFERENCES and APPENDICES are titles without
number aligned to the centre. (14 pt, bold)

Text
 Font size 12 pt.
 Line spacing 1.5.
 Justified.
 Indent: 0
 Leave 6 pt after each paragraph in addition to line spacing of 1.5.

Figures
 Number figures consecutively in the order in which reference is made to them in the text.
Figures should preferably fit within the full type area of 15.29 cm (6.02″). In case a
figure’s orientation is landscape, the top of the figure must be towards binding side of the
page.
 Leave about two lines of space between the actual text and figure (including caption). 10
pt should be the minimum size of lettering. Lines should be 0.2mm (0.01″) thick.
 Keep figures as simple as possible. Avoid excessive notes.

Plates

 Number photos consecutively in the order in which reference is made to them in the text
 Photographs must have a resolution of at least 300 dpi.
 In case a photo’s orientation is landscape, the top of the photo must be towards binding
side of the page.
 Leave about two lines of space between the actual text and photo (including caption). 10
pt should be the minimum size of lettering.

Figure caption
 Place caption below the figure.
 Type size: 12 pt
 Single line spacing
 Aligned to the left
 Indent: 0

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Tables
Place tables close to the first reference to them in the text preferably at the top or bottom of a
page. Number the table consecutively. Explanations should be given at the foot of the table and
not within the table itself. Use font size that fits the data within page width but not larger than 12
pt.

Table caption
 Place caption above the table.
 Type size: 12 pt (bold)
 Single line spacing
 Aligned to the left
 Indent: 0
 Space between caption and table 6 pt
 If orientation of the table is landscape, then top of the table must be towards binding side
of the page

Equations
Use the equation editor of the selected word processing program. Equations are not
indented. Number equations consecutively and place the number at the end of the line.
Refer to equations by these numbers.
 Typeface: Times New Roman
 Type size: 12 pt
 Keep one open line before and one open line beneath the equation.
 Align to the left.

References
In text:
 One author: Author (year) where the sentence starts with the author name e.g.
(Qayyum, 2001) where reference is given in the middle or at the end of a sentence
e.g. (Qayyum, 2001).
 Two authors: (Qayyum and Mirza, 2007)
 More than two authors: (Maqbool et al., 2005)

(See example pages)

In list of references:
List all references in alphabetical order underneath the heading (without number)
REFERENCES leaving one open space between heading and first reference. If several
works by the same author are cited, entries should be chronological. Mention the page
numbers of books or journals, if required.
 Book titles and Journal titles in italics and without commas, research papers in commas
and regular font
 Author names of book or journal must be in bold letters.
 Type size: 12 pt
 Single line spacing with 6 pt spacing between each reference
 First line of each reference justified; indent following line of each listing with 0.4 cm
(0.157”)

See examples below:

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REFERENCES

Al-Omari, R. R; Al-Dobaissi, H. H; and Nazhat,Y.N; Al-Wadood, A. A. (1989).

Shear strength of geomesh reinforced clay. Geotextile and Geomembranes 8, 325-336.

Ameen, S.F. (1990). Strip footing on a sand layer overlying a rigid stratum and subjected
to inclined eccentric loads. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.

Andersland, O.B. and Khattak, A.S. (1979). Shear strength of Kaolinite / Fibre soil
mixtures. Int. Conf. on Soil Reinforcement, Reinforced Earth and other Techniques, Paris
1, 11-16.

ASTM D1586 (1999), “Standard Penetration Test (SPT)” American Society for Testing
and Materials 100, Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428

AASHTO (1983), “Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges”, 13th ed. 394 pp.

Hong Kong MTR Cooperation. (2001). Passenger Data for 1990-2000,

http://www.mtr.com.hk, mm/dd/yy. (date accessed)

Marchetti, S., Totani, G. and Campanella, R.G. (1986), “DMT-hc Method for Piles
Driven in Clay,” Use of In Situ Tests in Geotechnical Engineering, GSP 6, ASCE, New
York, pp. 765-779.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Following are the general instructions to be complied with:
1. The first chapter must contain at least the following sections
1.1 General
The description must include introduction to the topic which is being studied.

1.2 Problem Definition

The need for research in this area is due to the following problem areas:
Problem 1:_______________
Problem 2:_______________ etc.
Brief description of each problem under each problem statement.

1.3 Objectives
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 The objectives of the research were as follows
1.
2.
3. and so on

1.4 Scope of Research

It should include how the objectives were achieved i.e. methodology adopted.
It should also contain the limits/extents of the work taken.

1.5 Thesis Overview/ Organization

It should include overall format of the thesis, i.e. how many chapters, brief
description of contents of each chapter.

Additional sections may be added where necessary.

2. Table of Contents, List of Figures, List of Plates and List of Tables must be auto
generated by Microsoft word (Font size and style must be 12 and Times New
Roman respectively).
3. Each figure, plate and table must at least be referenced once in the text and its
description must be included.
4. There should be a section of “Discussion and Conclusion” at the end of each
Literature Review’s chapter.
5. All discussion must be written in third person and the author must be referred as
“the Author”.
6. All symbols must be defined in “Notations” at the start (for Ph.D. dissertation
only). However, important symbols must be defined where these are first used.
7. All lengthy and similar calculations, computer outputs, related reference tables
and charts, etc. must be included in “Appendices” at the end of the thesis.
However, each appendix must at least be referenced once and its relevance must
be explained in the text. Essential calculations, abstract of computer results and
selected parts of other material may be included in the text if required for clarity.
8. Each reference must at least once be used in the text. The references must include
name of conference, journal in italic, publisher, place and year of publication.
Reference to page numbers or total pages may also be included.
9. SI system, with the optional alternate units in the brackets, should be followed
throughout the report or consistent units be used throughout the thesis.
10. After the title page, various elements of thesis report should be arranged in the
following order:
Dedication, Acknowledgements, Abstract (of about three hundred words or one
page), Table of Contents, Notations(only got Ph.D.), List of Figures, List of
Plates, List of Tables, Chapter 1 to last chapter, References, Appendices
11. The thesis for initial checking and for final evaluation should be ring-bound. Hard
bound copy must be prepared after incorporating all the changes after the
examination.

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12. For M. Sc. students, the binding of thesis should be in Dark-Black colour. For
Ph.D. students, the binding of the thesis should be in Light Blue colour. In each
case, it should be hard bound and in good quality.
13. The title of thesis, name of student, registration number, university monogram and
name of relevant department along with the name of the university should be
printed in golden colour on the binding.
14. Name of author, registration No., and title of thesis and year of submission should
be printed on the spine in minimum 10 pt lettering.
15. The outside front cover shall bear the title of the work in at least 18 pt lettering.
The spine shall bear in 10 pt lettering, if practicable, the initials and surname of
the student, the department.
16. If the thesis comprises more than one volume, the contents of the whole thesis
shall be shown in the first volume and the contents of subsequent volumes in a
separate contents list in the appropriate volume.
17. For M. Sc., two CDs containing everything related to the thesis and write-up must
be included in a pocket at inside of back cover of two thesis copies (one for DG
Research and other for the supervisor).
18. For M. Sc. and Ph. D. candidates, prepare six hard bound copies of the thesis.
Four will be submitted to the Chairman office, one for the supervisor, one for the
student himself. If external examiner desires a copy then total seven copies to be
prepared.
19. Copying someone’s work is an extreme and straightforward act of plagiarism.
More commonly, however, students plagiarize without realizing they are doing so.
This generally happens when student fails to acknowledge the source of an idea or
phrasing. While unintentional plagiarism is generally treated more leniently than
intentional plagiarism worldwide, it is nonetheless a sign of sloppiness and/or
failure to educate oneself about what plagiarism is.
Plagiarism is a serious academic offense, a form of dishonesty and students are
responsible for educating themselves about it.
Avoid Plagiarism by Citing Sources Properly. Check various websites on
Policy on Plagiarism which give useful hints how to avoid it.
20. The title page and first page must have the format shown on next two pages.

In case there are any suggestions or quarries, please contact Prof. Dr. Tanvir Iqbal
Qayyum , Department of Transportation Engineering and Management (email:
drtiq@yahoo.com)
[

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IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS ON FEROZPURE
ROAD (20, bold)

Year: 2011 (14, regular)

ALI SAJID (16, bold)

2008-MS-TE-01

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ENGINNERING AND MANAGEMENT
University Of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
(14, bold)
 IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS ON FEROZPURE ROAD
(16, regular)

ALI SAJID (12, bold)

2008-MS-TE-01

Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of
Science in Transportation Engineering (12, regular)

INTERNAL EXAMINER EXTERNAL EXAMINER

(Name) (Name)

12, regular

CHAIRMAN DEAN
Transportation Engineering Department Faculty of Civil Engineering

June 16, 2011. (12, bold)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
University Of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
(14, bold)
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No
DEDICATION iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS v
ABSTRACT vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS ix
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 General 1
1.2 Objectives of the Research 6
1.3 Organisation of the Thesis 7

CHAPTER 2
BEARING CAPACITY OF SOILS
AND HORSE RACECOURSE TRACKS

2.1 Introduction 8
2.2 General Bearing Capacity 8
2.2.1 Bearing Capacity of Unreinforced Soils 9
2.2.1.1 Bearing Capacity under Vertical Central Loading 9
2.2.1.2 Bearing Capacity under Vertical Eccentric Loading 11
2.2.1.3 Bearing Capacity under Inclined Central Loading 11
2.2.1.4 Bearing Capacity under Inclined Eccentric Loading 13
2.2.1.5 An Alternative Approach for Inclined Eccentric
Loading 17
2.2.2 Bearing Capacity of Reinforced Soils 19
2.2.2.1 Bearing Capacity under Vertical Central Loading
and with Horizontal Reinforcement 19
2.2.2.2 Bearing Capacity under Vertical Central, Vertical
Inclined and Vertical Eccentric Loading and with
Horizontal Reinforcement 22
 2.2.2.3 Bearing Capacity related to Road Pavements 24
2.2.2.4 Bearing Capacity under Vertical Central Loading
and with Randomly Oriented Reinforcement 25
2.3 Bearing Capacity Related to Horse Racecourse Tracks 28
2.3.1 General 28
2.3.2 Playing Surfaces and Sports Injuries 28
2.3.3 Types of Measuring Apparatus Used 30
2.3.4 Stride Cycle of an Individual Limb of Horses 32
2.3.5 Interlimb Coordination: Gaits 33
2.3.6 Methods of Gait Analysis 34
2.3.6.1 Kinematic Methods 34
2.3.6.2 Kinetic Methods 34
2.3.7 Hoof Placement 36
2.3.8 Forces between Rigid Platform and Hoof 38
2.3.9 Unreinforced Racetrack Surfaces and Impact Forces 40
2.3.10 Reinforced Racetracks and their Performance 41
2.4 Discussion and Conclusions 45

CHAPTER 3
SOIL STRENGTHENING TECHNIQUES

3.1 Introduction 49
3.2 Micro and Macro Scale Reinforcement 49
3.3 Meso Scale Reinforcement 51
3.3.1 Plant and Grass Roots 51
3.3.1.1 Plant Roots 51
3.3.1.2 Turf Grasses 52
3.3.1.3 Grass Requirements 54
3.3.1.4 Root Systems 56
3.3.1.5 Root Density 57
3.3.1.6 Soil Compaction, Root Growth and Drainage 57
3.3.2 Man-Made Fibres 61
 3.3.3 TEXSOL 63
3.3.4 Polymeric Mesh Elements 64
3.3.4.2 Benefits and Applications 66
3.4 Discussion and Conclusions 69

CHAPTER 4
EXPERIMENTAL APPARATUS,
PROCEDURES AND MATERIALS TESTING

4.1 Introduction 71
4.2 Testing Apparatus and Procedures 71
4.2.1 Soils Testing 71
4.2.1.1 Compaction Test 72
4.2.1.2 Triaxial Test 72
4.2.2 Polymeric Mesh Testing 73
4.2.3 Grass Testing 74
4.2.3.1 Washing and Weighing 74
4.2.3.2 Volume of Roots 74
4.2.3.3 Loss on Ignition 74
4.2.4 Bearing Capacity Testing of Soils and Composite Materials 75
4.2.4.1 The Tanks 75
4.2.4.2 The Footing 77
4.2.4.3 The Loading Rig 78
4.2.4.4 The Data Recorder 81
4.2.4.5 The Cylindrical Load Cell 81
4.2.4.6 The Strathclyde Load Cell 82
4.2.4.7 Measurement of Settlements 82
4.3 Calibration of Instrumentation 82
4.3.1 Calibration of Strathclyde Load Cell 82
4.3.2 Calibration of Cylindrical Load Cell 83
4.3.3 Calibration of LVDT's 83
4.4 Materials Testing 84
 4.4.1 Polymeric Tensile Strength Testing 84
4.4.2 Compaction Testing 84
4.4.3 Triaxial Testing 85
4.5 Properties of the Materials Used 89
4.5.1 Leighton Buzzard Sand 89
4.5.2 Loudinhill Sand 89
4.5.3 USGA Sand, Choking Sand and Gravel 90
4.5.4 Grass Turf Establishment and Maintenance 91
4.5.5 Polymeric Mesh Elements 92

CHAPTER 5
BEARING CAPACITY TESTING OF DENSE SANDS
UNDER RAPID LOADING

5.1 Introduction 93
5.2 Unreinforced Sands 94
5.3 Reinforced Leighton Buzzard Sand 94
5.4 Analysis and Comparison of Results 95
5.4.1 Repeatability Testing 95
5.4.2 Normal Stress under the Footing 96
5.4.3 Influence of Initial Relative Load Eccentricity on the
Ultimate Bearing Force 96
5.4.4 Bearing Capacity Ratio 97
5.4.5 Bearing Capacity Improvement Ratio 98
5.4.6 Settlement of the Footing 98
5.4.7 Rotation of the Footing 100
5.4.8 Influence of Mesh Element Content on the
Footing Behaviour 102
5.4.9 Influence of Surface Stiffness on the Footing Behaviour 103
5.5 Displacement of Sand Mass and the Characteristics of
Failure Outcrops 104
5.6 Bearing Capacity Equation Derived for Unreinforced sands 107
5.7 Bearing Capacity Equation Derived for Reinforced Sands 111
5.8 Comparison with other Bearing Capacity Theories 113
CHAPTER 6
BEARING CAPACITY TESTING OF
HORSE RACECOURSE TRACK SECTIONS
UNDER RAPID LOADING

6.1 Introduction 116

6.2 Track Sections Testing Programmes 117
6.3 Analysis and Comparison of Results 118
6.3.1 Repeatability Testing 119
6.3.2 Normal Stress under the Footing 119
6.3.3 Bearing Force - Settlement Relationship 119
6.3.4 Influence of Mesh Element Content and additional
sand layer on the Footing Behaviour 120
6.3.4.1 Bearing Capacity Ratio 120
6.3.4.2 Bearing Capacity Improvement Ratio 120
6.3.4.3 Ultimate Bearing Force, Ultimate Rotation
and Surface Stiffness 121
6.3.5 Influence of Surface Stiffness on the Footing Behaviour 123
6.4 Displacement of Sand Mass and Failure Patterns 124

CHAPTER 7
SUMMARY OF BEARING CAPACITY TESTING
UNDER RAPID LOADING AND MAIN CONCLUSIONS

7.1 Bearing Capacity Testing of Dense Sands Under Rapid Loading 126
7.2 Bearing Capacity Testing of Horse Racecourse Track Sections
Under Rapid Loading 131
7.3 Main Conclusions 134
7.4 Recommendation for Future Work 136
APPENDIX A STRATHCLYDE LOAD CELL AND IT'S
CALIBRATION 137

APPENDIX B BEARING CAPACITY TESTING OF DENSE SANDS

WITH DIFFERENT RATES OF DEFORMATION 143

APPENDIX C PRELIMINARY BEARING CAPACITY TESTING

OF SANDS UNDER RAPID LOADING 146

APPENDIX D GRAPHS OF BEARING CAPACITY TESTING

OF SANDS UNDER RAPID LOADING 148

APPENDIX E GRAPHS OF BEARING CAPACITY TESTING

OF TRACK SECTIONS UNDER RAPID LOADING 148

REFERENCES 149
to
165