Introduction

The stability, performance, and safety of any structure, from a modest building to a towering skyscraper or a massive bridge, are fundamentally dependent on its Foundation Design and the intricate interplay with the surrounding soil, a complex phenomenon known as Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI). Inadequate foundation design or a failure to properly account for SSI can lead to excessive settlement, structural distress, or even catastrophic failure, underscoring the critical importance of this specialized field in civil engineering. This training course is meticulously designed to equip civil and structural engineers, geotechnical engineers, architects, construction managers, and researchers with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills in understanding soil mechanics principles, mastering the design of various shallow and deep foundations, exploring advanced geotechnical investigation techniques, analyzing the complex behavior of soil-structure interaction under static and dynamic loads, and leveraging specialized software tools for integrated foundation and structural analysis. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to conceptualize, analyze, and design robust and economical foundations that ensure the long-term stability and serviceability of structures on diverse ground conditions.

Target Audience

• Civil Engineers (Structural, Geotechnical, Construction)
• Structural Engineers
• Geotechnical Engineers
• Architects (with a technical interest in foundations)
• Construction Managers
• Researchers in Geotechnical/Structural Engineering
• Advanced Engineering Students
• Building Code Officials & Regulators
• Consulting Engineers

Objectives

• Understand the fundamental principles of soil mechanics and geotechnical site investigation.
• Master the design of various shallow foundation types (footings, mats, rafts).
• Develop proficiency in the design of deep foundation systems (piles, drilled shafts, caissons).
• Learn about the complex phenomenon of Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI) under static and dynamic loads.
• Understand advanced analytical and numerical methods for SSI analysis.
• Explore the design of foundations for challenging soil conditions (e.g., expansive, collapsible, soft clays).
• Learn about the seismic design of foundations and liquefaction mitigation.
• Develop skills in using specialized software for foundation design and SSI analysis.
• Understand the importance of constructability and economic considerations in foundation engineering.
• Explore advanced topics such as retaining structures, ground improvement, and foundation instrumentation.
• Formulate comprehensive foundation design solutions for complex structural projects.

Course Content

Module 1. Fundamentals of Soil Mechanics for Foundation Design

• Soil Formation and Classification: USCS, AASHTO classification systems
• Soil Properties: Index properties (water content, density, Atterberg limits)
• Engineering Properties: Shear strength (cohesion, friction angle), compressibility, permeability
• Effective Stress Principle: Total stress, pore water pressure, effective stress
• Stress distribution in soils due to applied loads

Module 2. Geotechnical Site Investigation and Characterization

• Planning Investigations: Scope, objectives, methods (boreholes, CPT, SPT)
• In-Situ Testing: Standard Penetration Test (SPT), Cone Penetration Test (CPT), Vane Shear Test (VST)
• Laboratory Testing: Direct shear, triaxial, consolidation, compaction tests
• Groundwater conditions and their impact on foundations
• Geotechnical report interpretation and data utilization

Module 3. Shallow Foundation Design: Spread Footings

• Bearing Capacity Theories: Terzaghi, Meyerhof, Hansen, Vesic
• Settlement Analysis: Elastic settlement, consolidation settlement
• Design of isolated and combined footings
• Eccentric loading and overturning stability
• Design for uplift and lateral loads

Module 4. Shallow Foundation Design: Mat and Raft Foundations

• Mat/Raft Foundation Types: Flat plate, beam-and-slab, cellular
• Design Considerations: Large settlements, differential settlement, rigidity
• Analysis Methods: Conventional rigid method, flexible method (elastic foundation theory)
• Soil-structure interaction for mat foundations (Winkler model, elastic continuum)
• Design for uplift and hydrostatic pressure

Module 5. Deep Foundation Systems: Piles

• Pile Classification: Based on material (concrete, steel, timber), installation (driven, bored), load transfer
• Load Carrying Capacity: Static analysis (alpha, beta, lambda methods), dynamic analysis (wave equation)
• Pile Group Behavior: Efficiency, settlement of pile groups
• Negative skin friction and uplift capacity
• Pile integrity testing (PIT, CSL)

Module 6. Deep Foundation Systems: Drilled Shafts and Caissons

• Drilled Shafts (Piers): Construction methods, advantages
• Design of Drilled Shafts: Axial capacity (skin friction, end bearing), lateral capacity
• Caissons: Open, pneumatic, box caissons
• Design considerations for caissons in water or unstable ground
• Challenges in construction and quality control

Module 7. Introduction to Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI)

• Defining SSI: Interdependence of soil and structure behavior
• Importance of SSI in foundation design
• Modeling Approaches: Winkler (spring) model, elastic half-space, finite element
• Direct vs. Substructure (Superstructure-Foundation-Soil Interaction) methods
• Influence of soil flexibility on structural response

Module 8. Static Soil-Structure Interaction Analysis

• Beam on Elastic Foundation (BOEF): Analytical solutions and applications
• P-y Curves for Lateral Loading: Modeling soil resistance for piles/drilled shafts
• Stiffness and damping of soil springs
• Influence of foundation flexibility on internal forces and displacements
• Practical examples using commercial software

Module 9. Retaining Structures and Earth Pressures

• Types of Retaining Walls: Gravity, cantilever, counterfort, sheet pile, diaphragm walls
• Earth Pressure Theories: Rankine, Coulomb (active, passive, at-rest)
• Design of retaining walls for stability (overturning, sliding, bearing capacity)
• Drainage considerations for retaining structures
• Anchored and braced excavations

Module 10. Ground Improvement Techniques

• Compaction: Dynamic compaction, vibro-compaction
• Dewatering: Wellpoints, deep wells, electro-osmosis
• Chemical Stabilization: Grouting, deep mixing, jet grouting
• Reinforcement: Geogrids, stone columns, soil nailing
• Selection of appropriate ground improvement methods

Module 11. Seismic Design of Foundations

• Seismic Hazard Assessment: Ground motion parameters, site effects
• Liquefaction Analysis: Assessment of liquefaction potential
• Liquefaction Mitigation: Ground improvement, deep foundations
• Seismic design of shallow and deep foundations
• Dynamic Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI) under seismic loads

Module 12. Dynamic Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI)

• Dynamic Loads: Earthquakes, machine vibrations, wind
• Frequency Domain Analysis: Transfer functions, impedance functions
• Time Domain Analysis: Coupled analysis using finite element methods
• Kinematic and inertial interaction effects
• Damping in SSI systems

Module 13. Foundation Instrumentation and Monitoring

• Instrumentation Types: Settlement plates, extensometers, inclinometers, piezometers
• Strain gauges and load cells for pile testing
• Monitoring Programs: Data collection, analysis, and interpretation
• Performance-based monitoring for foundations
• Role of instrumentation in risk management during construction

Module 14. Advanced Topics in Foundation Engineering

• Foundations on Problematic Soils: Expansive soils, collapsible soils, soft clays
• Design of foundations for offshore structures
• Underpinning: Strengthening existing foundations
• Repair and rehabilitation of foundations
• Forensic investigation of foundation failures

Module 15. Software Applications and Case Studies

• Software Tools: SAFE, GEO5, PLAXIS, SAP2000, ETABS (for SSI)
• Modeling Techniques: Soil springs, elastic half-space, continuum models
• Interpretation of software results for design verification
• Case Studies: Complex foundation projects and their solutions
• Practical design examples and workshops focusing on SSI.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.