ENCE 302 · Microsyllabus · Year III / Part I
Foundation Engineering
Foundation Engineering Microsyllabus – ENCE 302
The Foundation Engineering microsyllabus (ENCE 302) is a core subject for third-year civil engineering students at the Institute of Engineering (IOE), Tribhuvan University. This page provides the complete, unit-wise Foundation Engineering ENCE 302 microsyllabus covering teaching schedules, depth codes, topic descriptions, references, and model questions.
Foundation Engineering deals with the design and analysis of structures that transfer loads from buildings, bridges, dams, and other infrastructure into the ground. This course builds on fundamentals of soil mechanics to address real-world challenges in geotechnical investigation, slope stability, earth pressure, bearing capacity, shallow and deep foundations, and retaining structures.
The Foundation Engineering ENCE 302 microsyllabus spans eight units: Geotechnical Investigation (including SPT, CPT, and liquefaction analysis), Slope Stability Analysis, Earth Pressure Theories, Bearing Capacity Theories, Shallow Foundation Analysis, Deep Foundation Analysis (piles, piers, caissons), Foundation in Rock, and Retaining Structures. The subject integrates both theory and practical laboratory work, with a strong emphasis on numerical problem-solving and design application as per IS codes and IRC standards.
Teaching Schedule
Lecture · Tutorial · Practical Hours
| L (Lecture) | T (Tutorial) | P (Practical) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
Examination Scheme
Theory & Practical Assessment
| Theory Assessment Marks | Theory Final Duration (Hrs) | Theory Final Marks | Practical Assessment Marks | Practical Final Marks | Practical Final Duration (Hrs) | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 3 | 60 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 125 |
Depth Codes
Legend – Teaching Depth Indicators
D Definition
DM Demonstration
E Explanation
I Illustration
DES Describe
REV Review / Recap
DIS Discussion
NUM Numerical
DV Derivation
DEG Design
EXP Experiment
S State
MP Mini Project
PS Problem Solving
ACT Activity-based
QA Question Answer
Q Quiz
ST Surprise Test
MT Mid Term Test
Foundation Engineering – Unit-wise Microsyllabus
1
Geotechnical Investigation
4L · 1.5T · 8P · Weeks 1–3| Topic / Sub-topic | Description | Depth Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 Geotechnical Investigation: Objective and Scope | Site investigation introduction; importance; objective and scope of geotechnical investigation. | D, E, S | 0.5 |
| 1.2 Stages and Extent of Site Exploration | Different stages of exploration (preliminary, detailed, during construction, performance monitoring). Extent of exploration (spacing and depth) with illustrative examples for buildings, bridges, embankments, highways, railways, and airports. | DIS, E, I | 1, 1.5 |
| 1.3 Methods of Site Exploration: Accessible, Inaccessible, and Indirect | Accessible methods (pit/trench): suitability, advantages, and disadvantages. Inaccessible methods (drilling/boring: auger, wash, percussion, rotary): procedure, equipment, suitability, advantages, and disadvantages. Indirect methods: suitability, advantages, and disadvantages. | E, I, DM, DIS | 1.5, 1 |
| 1.4 Soil Sampling (Disturbed and Undisturbed) and Samplers | Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples; their use in determination of soil properties (review of soil testing). Soil samplers: requirements, types, procedure, suitability, and key features. Numerical examples on sampler requirements. | E, REV, I, DM, DIS, NUM | 1, 1 |
| 1.5 Field Tests (SPT, CPT, DCPT, PMT, DMT) | Standard Penetration Test (SPT): equipment, field procedure, suitability, corrections (dilatancy, overburden, energy), and applications. Cone Penetration Test (CPT): equipment, field procedure, applications and limitations. Dynamic Cone Penetration Test (DCPT): equipment, procedure, and applications. Pressuremeter Test (PMT) and Dilatometer Test (DMT): equipment, procedure, usages, advantages, and disadvantages. Numerical example on SPT. | E, DM, DIS, NUM | 2 |
| 1.6 Groundwater Observation and Borehole Logs | Different methods of groundwater observation; importance in geotechnical analysis. Typical borehole logs: importance and key features. | DES, DM, DIS | 0.5 |
| 1.7 Geophysical Tests and Their Application | Geophysical tests: seismic, electrical, MASW, GPR and their applications in site investigation. | D, I | 1 |
| 1.8 Evaluation of Liquefaction Potential (LP) | Liquefaction definition; factors affecting liquefaction; parameters required for evaluation. Methods of LP evaluation. Numerical example on evaluation of liquefaction potential. | D, DM, NUM | 2, 1 |
| Evaluation: QA, Q, ST — Question after each sub-topic; Quiz after unit completion. | |||
2
Slope Stability Analysis
4L · 4T · 0P · Weeks 3–4| Topic / Sub-topic | Description | Depth Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 Types of Slopes and Possible Failures | Finite and infinite slopes; actuating forces; failure modes (rotational, translational, compound, wedge, etc.). | DES, REV | 1 |
| 2.2 Analysis of Infinite Slopes | Introduction to limit equilibrium approach; slope stability analysis of infinite slope for cohesionless soil (dry, seepage, and submerged conditions) and cohesive soil (dry, seepage, and submerged conditions). Comparison between cohesionless and cohesive soil; definition of Factor of Safety (FOS). | D, DV, NUM | 1, 1 |
| 2.3 Analysis of Finite Slopes | φu = 0 analysis (including submerged slope and tensile crack effect); friction circle method; method of slices; location of the most critical slip circle. | DES, NUM | 2, 1.5 |
| 2.4 Use of Stability Charts | Use of Taylor’s stability chart for slope stability analysis. | DES, NUM | 0.5, 1 |
| Evaluation: QA, Q, ST — Question after each sub-topic; Quiz after unit completion. | |||
3
Earth Pressure Theories
5L · 3T · 0P · Weeks 5–6| Topic / Sub-topic | Description | Depth Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 Earth Pressure and Slope Retaining Structures | Introduction: comparison of lateral pressure in fluids and grains. Common slope retaining structures: abutment walls, sheet pile walls, braced walls, basement walls, etc. | E, DIS | 0.5 |
| 3.2 Wall Movement and Types of Earth Pressure | Relationship between wall movement and earth pressure; earth pressure at rest (elastic theory and empirical approaches); active and passive earth pressure based on plastic equilibrium theory. | E | 0.5 |
| 3.3 Rankine Earth Pressure Theory | Active and passive earth pressure for cohesionless backfill (horizontal and inclined); orientation of failure planes; modification for cohesive backfill; approach for non-vertical wall face. Numerical problems. | DV, NUM | 2, 1 |
| 3.4 Coulomb Earth Pressure Theory | Coulomb’s theory for cohesionless backfill (active and passive) based on limiting equilibrium. Forces acting in case of cohesive backfill. Numerical problems. | DV, E, NUM | 1, 1 |
| 3.5 Culmann’s Graphical Solution | Culmann’s graphical construction for active and passive cases. Demonstration for vertical back of wall and horizontal backfill; comparison with Rankine’s theory results. | E, DM | 1 |
| Evaluation: Unit Test (UT) after completion of the unit. | |||
4
Bearing Capacity Theories
4L · 3T · 0P · Weeks 7–8| Topic / Sub-topic | Description | Depth Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1 Basic Terminologies and Their Relationships | Foundation width, depth, ultimate bearing capacity, net ultimate bearing capacity, safe bearing capacity, bearing pressure, and allowable bearing capacity. | D, DES | 0.5 |
| 4.2 Types of Shear Failure | General shear failure, local shear failure, and punching shear failure — definitions and characteristics. | D, E | 0.5 |
| 4.3 History and Development of Bearing Capacity Theories | Puker’s, Bell’s, and Prandtl’s bearing capacity theories and their historical development. | D, DV, DES | 0.5 |
| 4.4 Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory | Assumptions and derivation of bearing capacity for strip foundation; bearing capacity factors; determination of bearing capacity for general and local shear failure. Numerical examples. | D, DES, DV, DIS, NUM | 1.5, 1 |
| 4.5 Corrections on Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Equation | Shape and water table correction factors; importance of corrections; evaluation of bearing capacity using different correction factors. | DV, DIS, NUM | 0.5, 1.5 |
| 4.6 Skempton, Meyerhof, Brinch Hansen, and Vesic’s Methods | Concept and development of bearing capacity formulas with different corrections. Skempton’s method and its applicability in clayey soil. | DV, DIS, NUM | 0.5, 0.5 |
| Evaluation: QA, Q, ST — Question after each sub-topic; Quiz and Surprise Test after unit completion. | |||
5
Analysis of Shallow Foundation
7L · 5T · 0P · Weeks 9–10| Topic / Sub-topic | Description | Depth Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.1 Shallow Foundation and Its Types | List of different types of shallow foundations and their applications. | D, DES | 0.5 |
| 5.2 Settlement of Foundation: Types and Effects | Types of settlements (immediate, consolidation, secondary). Evaluation of settlement. Permissible settlement limits. | D, DES, DV | 1 |
| 5.3 Allowable Bearing Capacity of Strip and Isolated Footings | Determination of safe bearing pressure and allowable bearing capacity. Numerical examples. | DV, NUM | 1, 1 |
| 5.4 Bearing Capacity from In-Situ and Laboratory Tests | Plate load test; bearing capacity from plate load test; bearing capacity from SPT (Teng’s method). Numerical examples. | DES, DM, DV, NUM | 1, 2 |
| 5.5 Safe Bearing Pressure | Settlement criteria by Teng, Meyerhof, Bowles, and IS methods. Numerical examples. | DV, NUM | 0.5, 1 |
| 5.6 Raft Foundation and Its Types | Definition of raft foundation; types and suitability of different raft foundation systems. | D, DES | 0.5 |
| 5.7 Bearing Capacity of Raft Foundation | Bearing capacity from bearing capacity theories; from in-situ tests; floating/fully/partially compensated foundation concept. | DES, DV | 0.5 |
| 5.8 Stress Distribution and Settlement of Raft Foundation | Stress distribution and settlement analysis of raft foundation. Numerical examples. | DV, NUM | 1, 1 |
| 5.9 Foundation on Stratified Soil | Foundation on stratified soil: soft layer over hard layer; hard layer over soft layer; soft layer sandwiched between hard layers. | — | 1 |
| Evaluation: MT — Mid-Term Test 1. | |||
6
Analysis of Deep Foundation
6L · 5T · 0P · Weeks 11–12| Topic / Sub-topic | Description | Depth Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.1 Deep Foundations: Pile, Pier, Caisson and Classification | Introduction to deep foundations; types of pile, pier, and caisson; uses and factors affecting selection of pile type; load transfer mechanism on pile. | D, DES | 0.5 |
| 6.2 Load Carrying Capacity of Single Pile and Group Action | Dynamic pile load formulas (Engineering News and Modified Hiley formula). Static pile load formula for cohesive and cohesionless soil. Pile capacity from SPT for driven and bored piles. Load test on pile and allowable loads. Group efficiency (Feld rule, Converse-Labarre formula). Minimum spacing per IS 2911. Ultimate pile group capacity for cohesive soil (block failure and individual pile failure). Numerical examples. | D, DV, DIS, NUM | 1.5, 2.5 |
| 6.3 Settlement of Pile Foundation | Settlement of pile foundation in group for cohesive and cohesionless soil using Vesic’s semi-empirical formula. | DES, DV, NUM | 0.5, 1 |
| 6.4 Lateral and Uplift Capacity of Pile | Modulus of subgrade reaction (Winkler’s hypothesis); p-y curve for laterally loaded piles. Broom (1964) method for capacity. Uplift capacity of single pile and pile group in clay. Numerical examples. | DES, DV, NUM | 0.5, 1 |
| 6.5 Construction and Quality Assurance of Pile Foundation | Construction of displacement piles (hammer driving, jetting, partial auguring). Construction of non-displacement piles (dry method, casing method, slurry method) and their suitability. | DIS, DES | 0.5 |
| 6.6 Negative Skin Friction | Definition; causes and necessary conditions for developing negative skin friction; mitigative measures; calculation for single pile and group of piles. Numerical examples including negative skin friction. | D, DV, NUM | 0.5, 0.5 |
| 6.7 Analysis of Pier Foundation | Design considerations for pier foundation; bearing capacity equations for base in cohesive and granular soil. Numerical examples. | DES, DV, NUM | 0.5 |
| 6.8 Components of Well (Caisson) Foundation | Introduction and necessity of well foundation; sketch showing all components of well foundation with brief description. | D, DES | 0.5 |
| 6.9 Lateral Stability of Well Foundation | Forces acting on well foundation; lateral stability analysis based on bulkhead concept for light and heavy wells. Numericals related to lateral stability of well. | DES, DV, NUM | 0.5 |
| 6.10 Sinking of Well: Problems and Remedial Measures | Procedure of sinking of well; types of dredger used; problems encountered during sinking; remedial measures. | DES, DIS | 0.5 |
| Evaluation: QA, Q, ST — Question after each sub-topic; Quiz and Surprise Test after unit completion. | |||
7
Analysis of Foundation in Rock
3L · 1T · 0P · Week 13| Topic / Sub-topic | Description | Depth Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.1 Basis for Design of Foundation on Rock | Intact rock and rock mass properties relevant to foundation design. | DES | 2 |
| 7.2 Foundations on Weathered and Un-weathered Rock | Mode of foundation failure in rock; distinction between soil, intermediate geomaterial, and rock for foundation design. | DV | 1 |
| 7.3 Bearing Capacity and Settlement of Foundation in Rock | Bearing capacity and settlement using Bell’s solution, IS 12070, and IRC 78 recommendations (shallow and pile). Numerical examples. | NUM, DIS | — |
| 7.4 Treatment of Rock Defects | Grouting; bolt and anchor; shotcrete; drainage management for treating rock defects in foundation design. | D, DES, DIS | 1 |
| Evaluation: QA — Question answer. | |||
8
Retaining Structures: Rigid and Flexible
8L · 5T · 0P · Weeks 14–15| Topic / Sub-topic | Description | Depth Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.1 Types of Rigid and Flexible Retaining Structures | Gravity walls, semi-gravity walls, cantilever retaining walls, counterfort walls, buttressed walls, crib walls, sheet pile walls, soldier pile and lagging walls, diaphragm walls, MSE walls, gabion walls, reinforced soil slopes (RSS), soil nailing, secant and tangent pile walls. | D, E, DIS | 1 |
| 8.2 Proportioning and Stability Analysis of Rigid Retaining Wall | Proportioning of gravity wall, cantilever wall, and buttress wall. Stability analysis of rigid retaining walls (overturning, sliding, bearing capacity). Numerical examples. | D, DES, DV, NUM | 2, 2 |
| 8.3 Theory of Arching | Arching in soils; Terzaghi’s trapdoor experiment and its significance. | D, DV | 1 |
| 8.4 Flexible Retaining Structures: Type and Function | Function of sheet pile walls, soldier pile and lagging walls, diaphragm walls, MSE walls, gabion walls, reinforced soil slopes, soil nailing, secant and tangent pile walls. | D, DES | 0.5 |
| 8.5 Analysis of Sheet Piles | Cantilever sheet pile in cohesionless soil; cantilever sheet pile in cohesive soil; anchored wall with free earth support; anchored wall with fixed earth support. Numerical problems. | E, DV, NUM | 2, 2 |
| 8.6 Analysis of Braced Excavation | Deep cut in sand; deep cut in saturated soft to medium clays; apparent pressure diagrams for calculating strut loads in braced cuts. | E, DV, NUM | 0.5, 1 |
| 8.7 Analysis of Reinforced / Mechanically Stabilized Earth Wall | Retaining wall with backfill reinforced with metal strips and geogrid (procedure description only). | DES, DV | 1 |
| Evaluation: MT — Mid-Term Test 2. | |||
References
Recommended Books – Foundation Engineering ENCE 302
- 1 Das, B. M. (2020). Principles of Geotechnical Engineering. Cengage Learning.
- 2 Arora, K. R. (2019). Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering). Standard Publishers Distributors, India.
- 3 Murthy, V. (2003). Geotechnical Engineering: Principles and Practices of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. Taylor & Francis, Switzerland.
- 4 Bowles, J. E. (1978). Engineering Properties of Soils and Their Measurement (Latest Edition). McGraw-Hill, United Kingdom.
Model Question Paper – ENCE 302
Subject: Foundation Engineering | Code: ENCE 302 | Year/Part: III/I | Attempt All Questions | Note: Questions and marks are indicative only.
| Q.N. | Question | Marks | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 a) | Describe detailed site investigations. | 2 | 1 |
| 1 b) | What are the requirements of samplers for undisturbed sample? Explain. | 2 | 1 |
| 1 c) | Determine the liquefaction potential of a soil layer located at a depth of 6 m below the ground surface. The field SPT value is 24. The unit weight of soil above the water table is 17 kN/m³, and below the water table is 20 kN/m³. The percentage of fines is 15%. The groundwater table is located at a depth of 3 m. The peak ground acceleration is 0.35 g, and the earthquake magnitude is 7.5. | 4 | 1 |
| 2 | A circular failure surface with the coordinates of three points indicated in parentheses. The circle has a radius of 30.5 m and a center at (0, 30.5). The circle intercepts the slope surface at (0, 0) and (27.45, 17.2). The soil in the slope has a cohesion of 38.3 kN/m², a friction angle of 10°, and a total unit weight of 19.6 kN/m³. Compute the factor of safety by the Fellenius method. | 6 | 2 |
| 3 a) | Explain the effect of wall movement on lateral earth pressure in soils. | 2 | 3 |
| 3 b) | Derive the equation for the active lateral earth pressure for the inclined backfill. | 2 | 3 |
| 3 c) | Calculate the total active thrust on a vertical wall 5 m high retaining a sand of unit weight 17 kN/m³ for which φ′ = 35°; the surface of the sand is horizontal and the water table is below the bottom of the wall. Also determine the thrust on the wall if the water table rises to a level 2 m below the surface of the sand. The saturated unit weight of the sand is 20 kN/m³. | 4 | 3 |
| 4 a) | Discuss different types of shear failure. | 2 | 4 |
| 4 b) | A square footing 2.5 m × 2.5 m is placed at a depth of 1.5 m in a sandy soil with φ = 30°, γ = 18 kN/m³. Compute the safe bearing capacity using Terzaghi’s theory when the water table is at 0.5 m below ground level. Take Nq = 22.5, Nγ = 19.7, γsat = 20 kN/m³, FoS = 3, for general shear failure. | 4 | 4 |
| 5 a) | Describe settlement, its types and determination methods. | 2 | 5 |
| 5 b) | Determine the allowable bearing capacity using Teng formula if the corrected SPT value is 18. | 2 | 5 |
| 5 c) | Determine the stress distribution on the given raft foundation. Grid dimensions: 5.00 m × 5.00 m and 3.50 m × 3.50 m. Point loads: 350 kN, 600 kN, 600 kN, 500 kN, 600 kN, 600 kN, 350 kN, 600 kN, 600 kN. | 4 | 5 |
| 6 a) | Describe the components of well foundation. | 2 | 6 |
| 6 b) | Determine the load carrying capacity of a 15 m long pile of 600 mm diameter driven in sandy soil (Nq = 25, γ = 18 kN/m³ and φ = 30°). Also calculate the capacity of the foundation with 9 piles arranged in 3B spacing. | 6 | 6 |
| 6 c) | Discuss the load carrying capacity of pier foundation. | 2 | 6 |
| 7 a) | What are the factors affecting the bearing capacity of shallow foundation in rock? | 2 | 7 |
| 7 b) | Discuss the IRC recommendation on the load carrying capacity of pile in rock. | 2 | 7 |
| 8 a) | Describe the arching phenomena in soils. | 2 | 8 |
| 8 b) | Carry out the stability analysis of the given retaining wall and recommend appropriate solutions if required. Wall height: 6.0 m, Base width: 3.4 m, Top width: 0.4 m, Toe length: 0.6 m, Backfill angle: 15°, Soil properties: c = 0, φ = 30°, γ = 18 kN/m³. | 4 | 8 |
| 8 c) | A fixed earth support anchored sheet pile has to retain 5 m soil (γ = 18 kN/m³ and φ = 30°). The sheet pile is anchored at 1 m from the top surface. Calculate the depth of embedment and tension in the anchor rod. Assume necessary data if required. | 4 | 8 |
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