CE 441 STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF FOUNDATIONS FALL 2017

ACADEMIC It is critical that all students read and understand all Penn State University
INTEGRITY academic integrity policies (see attached information). Student work will be
monitored and academic integrity policies will be vigorously enforced.

SCOPE: This is a professional course that presents the structural design of

foundations. Designs will include steel base plates, concentrically loaded
spread footings (reinforced concrete wall, square, rectangular) eccentrically
loaded spread footings (square, rectangular, combined), drilled shafts, pile
caps, retaining walls, flexible earth retaining structures, cofferdams, and
other topics as time permits.

TEXTS: Das, Braja M., Principles of Foundation Engineering, 8th edition, Thomson,
Toronto, 2014. (optional, but a very useful reference)
AISC Steel Construction Manual, 14th Edition, 2010
ACI 318-14 Building Code Reqmts for Structural Concrete, 2014
Wight and MacGregor, Reinforced Concrete: Mechanics and Design, 6th
Edition, Prentice Hall, 2011, ISBN13: 978-0132176521
Fisher, J.M. and L.A. Kloiber, Base Plate and Anchor Rod Design, 2nd
edition, AISC Design Guide 1, AISC, 2006
Course Pack, Fall 2017, from Engineering Copy Center

INSTRUCTOR: J.A. Laman, 231J Sackett Bldg., 863-0523, jlaman@psu.edu

Office Hours: M: 1:00 to 3:00 pm, W: 1:00 to 2:15pm, or by appointment

LECTURES/ MWF, 8:00 am to 8:50 am, Room TBD

ATTENDANCE: See the included Attendance Policy. Lecture attendance is required.

READING/ Reading assignments and class preparation are listed in the included Lecture
CLASS PREP: Preparation and Assignments. Each student is expected to arrive to lecture
prepared to discuss the assigned material and actively participate in class.

ENGINEER’S At the conclusion of the semester, each student will submit a well organized
NOTEBOOK notebook of course notes, handouts, design problems, quizzes, reference
materials, and other pertinent information. See the included Engineer’s
Notebook Guidelines. In addition, a near mid-semester check of Notebook
progress may be required if students are not maintaining the NB.

DESIGN Weekly design problems will be assigned throughout the semester.

PROBLEMS: Problems will be graded and solutions posted on the CANVAS website.

GRADING: The course grade will be based on (detailed requirements next page):
5% - Attendance
15% - Engineer’s Notebook
80% - Design Problems
100% - Total
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

The following Pennsylvania State University policies on academic integrity apply to all aspects of this
course:
• Academic Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual, G-9: Academic Integrity
http://www.psu.edu/oue/aappm/G-9-academic-integrity.html
• Undergraduate Advising Handbook, Academic Integrity
http://handbook.psu.edu/content/academic-integrity
• University Faculty Senate Policy 49-20 Academic Integrity
http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/separate_policy/49-20.htm

The Pennsylvania State University, College of Engineering, Academic Integrity Statement:

The University defines academic integrity as the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and
responsible manner. All students should act with personal integrity, respect other students’ dignity,
rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the
fruits of their efforts (refer to Senate Policy 49-20). Dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated in this
course. Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, fabricating information or
citations, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession of
examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the
instructor, or tampering with the academic work of other students. Students who are found to be
dishonest will receive academic sanctions and will be reported to the University’s Office of Student
Conduct for possible further disciplinary sanctions (refer to Senate Policy G-9).

A note from the instructor:

In any case where submitted course work materials are suspected of not meeting the highest standards of
academic integrity, all students involved will be reported to the College of Engineering Dean’s Office
and academic integrity violation reports placed in their College of Engineering files. Students not
familiar with what constitutes an academic integrity violation are strongly encourage to read the
Pennsylvania State University policies. These policies are zero tolerance, one-and-done with no second
chances – do not do something foolish. If a student finds themselves in a difficult situation, the best
course of action is to speak with the instructor rather than take a shortcut and jeopardize an entire future
and career.

OFFICE FOR DISABILITY SERVICES

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn
State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Office for Disability Services (ODS) Web
site provides contact information for every Penn State campus: http://equity.psu.edu/ods/dcl. For further
information, please visit the Office for Disability Services Web site: http://equity.psu.edu/ods.

In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate
disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake
interview, and provide documentation: http://equity.psu.edu/ods/doc-guidelines. If the documentation
supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will
provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the
accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every
semester that you request accommodations.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Regular and full attendance is critical to student success in this course. The attendance policy for this
course is that of the University, with the listed clarifications below. All students are expected to be
familiar with these policies:
University Faculty Senate Policy 42-27 Class Attendance
http://senate.psu.edu/policies-and-rules-for-undergraduate-students/42-00-acquisition-of-
credit/#42-27
Undergraduate Advising Handbook: Class Attendance
https://handbook.psu.edu/content/class-attendance
Academic Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual, E-11: Class Attendance
http://undergrad.psu.edu/aappm/E-11-class-attendance.html
The Pennsylvania State University Class Absence Form
http://www.psu.edu/oue/aappm/classabs.pdf
Student Affairs University Health Services: Class Excuses
http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health/welcome/illnessVerification/
Requests for a planned absence to be excused must be provided in hard copy written form submitted in
person at least 24 hours in advance of the missed class/event -- email notification will not be accepted
nor will it be considered. All requests must clearly demonstrate that every effort was made to schedule
the conflicting event at a time that does not conflict with class meetings and must include a plan to make
up missed work and lectures. Enrollment in any course constitutes a contract to attend all previously
scheduled class meetings as outlined herein, therefore, requests will rarely be granted. Requests for
consideration as a result of accidents, severe illnesses, or other unforeseen events must be discussed in
person with the instructor within 24 hours after the missed event with confirmation of the event (doctor
excuse, etc.). Should a situation be so severe as not to permit in-person discussion, an email notice will
be accepted.
Other important class attendance notes:
False claims of legitimate or unavoidable absence may be considered academic integrity violations
(Senate Policy 49-20, AAPP G-9).
Absences for job interviews are not considered excused. Schedule interviews other than class
meeting times.
Chronic tardiness will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may result in loss of grade points as
listed below. Two tardy arrivals after 8:15 am constitutes an absence.
a. 0 to 2 absences = 5% earned (use these wisely – they are free)
b. 3 absences = 4% earned
c. 4 absences = 3% earned
d. 5 absences = 2% earned
e. 6 absences = 1% earned
f. 7 absences = 0% earned
Absences will be recorded on the Canvasl website and should be monitored by each student. It is the
student’s responsibility to confirm the accuracy of the attendance record.
Students absent 10 or more class periods (25% of scheduled meetings) for any reason will automatically
receive an incomplete for the semester.
ENGINEER’S NOTEBOOK GUIDELINES AND CHECKLIST

1. A typed cover page on the outside of the binder containing course number, course title, semester,
student name, instructor, Penn State University
2. Typed course number, course title, and student name on the spine
3. Overall table of contents, identifying each section by lecture topic and any appendices
4. Table of contents for each tabbed/divided section:
• Table of Contents
• Course Administration/Outline
• Concrete Design Review
• Base Plate Design Axial
• Pedestal Design
• Wall Footings
• Square Spread Footings
• Rectangular Spread Footings
• Footings with Moment
• Combined Footings
• Drilled Shafts
• Piles and Pile Caps
• Concrete Retaining Walls
• Sheet Pile Retaining Walls
• Homework (must be in separate, tabbed section and corrected.
Electronic/EXCEL solutions must be corrected, printed and inserted in this section)
5. All pages numbered (except homework)
6. All submitted work must be laser printed or hand written in pencil on engineering paper only.
Never take any notes on anything other than engineering paper.
7. All sections must be separated with professional, commercially available, tabbed dividers. Stick
on or other tab devices are not professional.
8. All homework containing errors marked by the grader must be corrected with RED colored
pencil or RED colored pen. Major corrections should be completed on a new sheet of
engineering paper with “HW# xx CORRECTIONS” as heading and done with a normal pencil.
9. Computer programs must be included on CD or flash drive with clearly described user
instructions and sample output on the CD/flash drive.
10. All electronically available information and references must be included on CD/flash drive.
11. The CD/flash drive must be enclosed in a plastic, 3-ring binder sleeve (not loose or in binder
pocket)
12. A midsemester Engineer’s Notebook check may be conducted ~ the 8th week of class. Be
sure to keep up with the notebook to avoid a significant, last minute, effort.
13. Final Engineer’s Notebooks are to be submitted to the TA in 321 Sackett before 10:00 am,
Tuesday, last week of class. Late submissions will not be accepted under any
circumstances – submit what you have to avoid zero credit.
14. Engineer’s Notebooks may be retrieved in 321 Sackett between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm
Wednesday, last week of class.
15. Notebooks not retrieved by 4:00 pm Friday, last week of class can be collected at a later,
prearranged date.
DESIGN PROBLEMS
Design problems will be assigned on a regular basis to be submitted for grading. All submitted work
must:
• be on engineering paper,
• be completed in pencil, and
• be double spaced.
Design problems are intended to be challenging and require the application and extension of recent class
lectures and reading. Design problems are not a repeat of class examples, therefore, each solution
requires the application of design principles to engineer a safe and economical structure. It is expected
that all submitted design problem solutions will represent an individual student effort; however, study
groups are acceptable and encouraged.

COURSE GRADING POLICY

CE441 Structural Design of Foundations is a challenging, professional course. The knowledge utilized
from prerequisite courses and practice gained will be directly applicable to work conducted as
professional engineers. Quiz and design problem grading philosophy is consistent with professional
expectations – evaluation of work is entirely a measure of performance, as professionals are measured.
Evaluations are not a measure of effort. All submittals are graded on a 100 point basis where points
earned depend exclusively on demonstration of concept mastery, accuracy, completeness, meeting
applicable design specifications, economy of design, and constructability.
It may be necessary to adjust the final, overall semester grade averages. Individual assignment scores
will not be adjusted – only the final, overall semester average. The adjusted mean for this course will
generally be the center of the standard university grading scale range for a “B-” (81.50%), however, the
instructor reserves the discretion to adjust as warranted. The standard university grading scale is as
follows:
93.00 to 100 A
90.00 to 92.99 A-
87.00 to 89.99 B+
83.00 to 86.99 B
80.00 to 82.99 B- (adjusted course average = 81.50%)
77.00 to 79.99 C+
70.00 to 76.99 C
60.00 to 69.99 D
0.00 to 59.99 F

Petitions for instructor review of graded assignments must be made within 48 hours of return of the
submittal. After 48 hours, the grade stands, regardless of the circumstances. Petitions must be
completed as follows:

• Compose a typed, professional, memo style petition.

• Itemize and number issues of concern, including the page number of calculations as reference.
• State your best justification for review. If the case is not made professionally, concisely,
coherently, and precisely with strong evidence, the petition will not be considered.
• Hard copy of memo must be attached to a hard copy of the assignment in question.
• Petition must be submitted to instructor in class, in mailbox, or office.
• The purpose of this process is to ensure that all students are treated fairly and there is a
mechanism for rectifying errors. Mistakes get made, but please do not abuse this process.