Earth Retaining Structures

Code:

EC0077

Acronym:

ESTE

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Geotechnics

Instance: 2010/2011 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Geotechnics Division
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Civil Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIEC	16	Syllabus since 2006/2007	5	-	5	60	133

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

JUSTIFICATION
This course complements the formation related with earth retaining structures, initiated in Soil Mechanics 2 with the study of retaining walls, and focus on the study of flexible structures not covered previously, namely, cantilever retaining walls, single propped retaining walls, multi-propped retaining walls, multi-anchored retaining walls and soil nailed excavations.

OBJECTIVES
To learn the theories and methods related with theconception, the design, the construction and the monitoring of flexible earth retaining structures.

SKILS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
Knowledge: To describe the main concepts related with the behaviour of flexible earth retaining structures.
Comprehension: To identify the appropriated methods of analysis and design and to select the adequated constructive solutions.
Application: To calculate and to develop structural solutions for different scenarios, relaying on the current National and European structural codes. To draw structural solutions that illustrate the obtained design.
Analysis: To discuss and compare different structural solutions, them taking into account the site constraints.
Synthesis: To consider and to formulate solutions on the basis of alternative quality criteria and construction sustainability .
Evaluation: To criticize solutions and to recommend new proposals that overcome shortcomings or present advantages.

CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECT
Acquisition of a set of skills for the design of flexible earth retaining structures, involving the appropriate choice of the solutions and technologies, the analysis, the design and the detailing of the solutions, including the definition of the construction phases and the monitoring plans.

RESEARCH IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
Application of advanced methodologies of analysis of flexible earth retaining structures. Confrontation of the results with the ones from classic methodologies.

CIVIL ENGINEERING PRACTICE
To learn the elaboration and the organization of the project of flexible earth retaining structures.

Program

1. Concept of flexible earth retaining structure. Soil-structure interaction. Soil-arch effect. Examples of earth retaining structures.
2. Cantilever retaining walls.
3. Single propped retaining walls.
4. Multi-propped retaining walls.
5. Multi-anchored retaining walls.
6. Constructive solutions. Sheet pile walls, concrete piled walls, Berlin-type walls, jet-grouting walls and large diameter shafts.
7. Hydraulic Instability. Bearing capacity (heave) analysis in soft soils.
8. Vertical stability of anchored walls. Global stability analysis.
9. Ground anchors.
10. Movements associated with excavations.
11. Monitoring of excavations.
12. Nailed excavations.

DISTRIBUTION:

Scientific content – 60%
Technological content – 40%

Mandatory literature

M. Matos Fernandes; Estruturas de Suporte de Terras, FEUP, 1990
Malcolm Puller; Deep Excavations - A Pratical Manual, Thomas Telford, 1996

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes with exposition of the theories and methods of analysis and design of flexible earth retaining structures, with frequent reference to construction works. Theoretical-practical classes with the development and design of several types of flexible earth retaining structures. Visit to construction sites.

Software

Plaxis

keywords

Technological sciences > Engineering > Civil engineering > Structural engineering
Technological sciences > Engineering > Civil engineering > Geotechnics

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	52,00
	Trabalho escrito	26,00
	Exame	5,00
	Total:	-	0,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Description	Type	Time (hours)	End date
	Estudo autónomo	52
	Total:	52,00

Eligibility for exams

Students have to achieve at least a 10 out of 20 in the distributed evaluation.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final grade is calculated weighting the grades of the distributed evaluation and the final exam, with weights of 0.30 and 0.70, respectively.

To get approval in the course is necessary to reach in the final exam the minimum grade of 9.5 values.

When the grade of the final exam is lower than 9.5 the final grade coincides with the one of the exam.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

SPECIAL RULES FOR MOBILITY STUDENTS:
Proficiency in Portuguese and/or English;
Previous attendance of introductory graduate courses in the scientific field addressed in this module;
Evaluation by exam and/or coursework(s) defined in accordance with student profile.

Observations

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE
This course depends and applies to civil engineering subjects related with Strength of Materials, Theory of Structures, Soil Mechanics and Concrete Structures.