Deep Excavations

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical classes with exposition of the theories and methods of analysis and design of flexible earth retaining structures, with frequent reference to construction works. Some practical works are proposed concerning the design of some types of flexible retaining structures. Visit to construction sites. Final exam foccused on theoretical matters and on the conception of solutions.

Learning Outcomes

To describe the behaviour of flexible earth retaining structures. Comprehension: To identify the methods of analysis and design and to select the adequated constructive solutions. Application: To develop structural solutions for different scenarios. Analysis: To compare different structural solutions, taking into account the site constraints. Synthesis: To formulate solutions on the basis of quality and sustainability criteria. Evaluation: To criticize solutions and to recommend new advantageous proposals. CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECT Design retaining structures, involving the choice of the solutions and technologies, including the definition of the sequence of construction and the monitoring plan. RESEARCH IN CIVIL ENGINEERING Application of advanced methods of analysis and confrontation of the results with the ones from classic methods. CIVIL ENGINEERING PRACTICE To learn the elaboration and the organization of the project of flexible earth retaining structures.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

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 and large-diameter elliptical shafts built by the sequential excavation-concreting method. Solutions with soil treatment (jet-grouting, cutter-soil-mixing, etc). 7. Hydraulic Instability. Bearing capacity (heave) analysis in soft soils. 8. Vertical stability of anchored walls. Global stability analysis. 9. Ground anchors. 10. Nailed excavations. 11. Monitoring of excavations. 12. Movements induced by excavations and their control.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

M. Matos Fernandes; Estruturas de Suporte de Terras, FEUP, 1990

Malcolm Puller; Deep Excavations - A Pratical Manual, Thomas Telford, 1996.

Matos Fernandes, M. . Deep urban excavations in Portugal: practice, design, research and perspectives. Soils & Rocks, Vol. 33, nº 3, pp. 115-142, 2010.