Earth Retaining Structures

Code:

M.EC027

Acronym:

EST

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Geotechnics

Instance: 2023/2024 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Civil and Georesources Engineering
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
M.EC	12	Syllabus	2	-	6	45,5

Teaching language

Portuguese and english

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.

Learning outcomes and competences

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.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

This course depends and applies to civil engineering subjects related with Strength of Materials, Theory of Structures, Soil Mechanics and Concrete Structures. A background on Foundations and on Numerical Methods in Structures and Geotechnics is also recommedable.

Program

1. Revision of the theories on earth pressures. External stability of gravity retaining walls. Internal design of reinforeced concrete walls. 2. Flexible walls used to support deep excavations. Brief reference to examples of flexible retaining walls. Cantilever retaining walls.
3. Single propped retaining walls.
4. Multi-propped retaining walls. Soil arching. Stability of the bottom of the excavation in soft soils.
5. Multi-anchored retaining walls.
6. Constructive solutions for deep urban excavations. Diaphragm walls, concrete piled walls, Berlin-type walls. Solutions with soil improvement (jet-grouting and cutter-soil-mixing). Elliptical shafts constructed by the sequence method.
7. Vertical and overall stability of anchored walls. 
8. Ground anchors.
9. Monotoring and observation.
10. Movements induced by deep excavations.



DISTRIBUTION:

Scientific content – 60%
Technological content – 40%

DEMONSTRATION OF THE SYLLABUS COHERENCE WITH THE CURRICULAR UNIT'S OBJECTIVES:
This curricular unit 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.

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.

DEMONSTRATION OF THE COHERENCE BETWEEN THE TEACHING METHODOLOGIES AND THE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
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. To discuss and compare different structural solutions, taking into account the site constraints. To consider and to formulate solutions on the basis of alternative quality criteria and construction sustainability. To criticize solutions and to recommend new proposals that overcome shortcomings or present advantages. 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.

Software

Plaxis

keywords

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

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	65,00
Trabalho escrito	35,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	26,00
Frequência das aulas	52,00
Trabalho escrito	26,00
Total:	104,00

Eligibility for exams

Achieving final classification requires compliance with attendance at the course unit, according to the MIEC assessment rules. It is considered that students meet the attendance requirements if, having been regularly enrolled, the number of absences of 25% for each of the classes’ types is not exceeded.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final classification or grade is calculated using the weighted average of the classifications: i) of the design works of the structures developed by each student in the sequence of the theoretical-practical classes (weight 35%); ii) final exam (weight 65%).
To otain approval is required to achieve in the final exam a minimum classification of 7.0. When the classification of the final exam is less than this minimum value, the final grade coincides with the exam classification.