Introduction to Foundations Engineering

“Why You Should Study

Geotechnical Engineering”
or
“Who Needs a Foundation
Engineer Anyway???”

Steven F. Bartlett, Ph.D., P.E.

 Foundation Engineer
Geotechnical engineer who specializes in the design
and construction oversight of foundations and
retaining structures.

Foundation engineers are called upon to determine the

best way of transferring structural loads from
buildings, bridges, machines, highway signs, etc. to
soil and rock in a safe and economical manner
 Grand Challenges in Engineering

http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/cms/challenges.aspx
 Restore and Improve Infrastructure
In 2005, the American Society of Civil Engineers issued a
report card, grading various categories of U.S.
infrastructure. The average grade was D.

It is no secret that America’s infrastructure, along with

those of many other countries, is aging and failing, and
that funding has been insufficient to repair and replace it.
Engineers of the 21st century face the formidable
challenge of modernizing the fundamental structures that
support civilization.
 Restore and Improve Infrastructure

Keys to improving / restoring infrastructure

• FASTER
•Engineers must learn to design and construct systems in a more
efficient manner.
• CHEAPER
•Systems must be constructed in a more economical manner.
• SMARTER
• More environmentally friendly
• More sustainable
• Reusable
• Recycleable
 Foundation Engineering Tools

• Engineering Science
• Soil and Rock Mechanics
• Codes and Standards
• AASHTO and IBC
• Experience
• Design and Construction
• Publications
• ASCE JGGE
• Short Courses
• Computing
 Foundation Types

• Shallow Foundations
• Deep Foundations
Shallow Foundation (Types)
Shallow Foundation – Spot Footing
Shallow Foundation – Spread Footing
Shallow Foundations

Mat Foundation
Shallow Foundations
Deep Foundation (Types)
Driven foundations
1.1 Pile foundation systems
1.2 Monopile foundation
2 Drilled piles
2.1 Under reamed piles
2.2 Augercast pile
2.3 Pier and grade beam foundation
3 Speciality piles
3.1 Micropiles
3.2 Tripod piles
3.3 Sheet piles
3.4 Soldier piles
3.5 Suction Piles
3.6 Adfreeze Piles
3.7 Vibrated Stone Columns
4 Piled walls
4.1 Secant piled walls
4.2 Slurry walls
“Driven” Pile Foundations
Offshore Pile Foundations
Soldier Pile and Lagging
Drilled pier has no outer
shell, just reinforcement
Foundations – Deep Footings

Drilled Shaft
Cast in place pile has
metal outer shell
Micropiles
Cassions
 Examples of Geotechnical Project
Petronas Towers Foundations

Location: Kuala Lumpur,

Malaysia
Completion Date: 1998
Cost: $1.6 billion
Height: 1,483 feet
Stories: 88
 Petronas Towers Foundations

Concrete mat

Pile Foundation
 Examples of Geotechnical Projects
Golden Gate Bridge Foundations

Location: San Francisco and

Sausalito, California, USA
Completion Date: 1937
Cost: $27 million
Length: 8,981 feet
Type: Suspension
Golden Gate Bridge (Marin Pier)
1. Start rock dike (Coffer)
2. Crib dike part that is
in water (timber box
filled w/ rock and set
in place).
3. Install sheet piling.
4. Pump area dry.
5. Construction
foundation on rock
surface exposed below
water level.
Retaining Structures

Common Types
Retaining Structures

Gravity Retaining Wall

Retaining Structures

Gravity Retaining Wall

Retaining Structures

Gravity Retaining Wall

Retaining Structures

Cantilevered Retaining Wall

Retaining Structures

Crib Wall
Retaining Structures

2-Stage MSE Retaining Wall

Retaining Structures

2-Stage MSE Retaining Wall

Retaining Structures

2-Stage MSE Retaining Wall

Retaining Structures

Sheetpiles – Coffer Dam

 Retaining Structures

Pumping inside Coffer Dams

Retaining Structures

Contiguous Bored Pile Wall

 Retaining Slopes

Slope Reinforcement with Geotextile

Geofoam Walls / Embankment
Geofoam Walls / Embankment

Concrete Load Distribution Slab

 Ground Modification (cont)

Vibro- Dynamic
concrete Compaction Mini piles
 Ground Modification
(Ground Improvement)

Compaction Vibro- Vibro-

Grouting compaction replacement
Ground Modification (cont)

vibropier
Ground Modification (cont)

Geopier with bar

Ground Modification (cont)

geopier
Ground Modification (cont)

Lime cement columns

Ground Modification (cont)

Lime cement columns

Questions