Breakup:
- Project 45%
- Final 55%
Concept:
This module is generally easy. Professor Darren is still very
humorous and generous in marking. It is fun to learn. The first part is about the
relationship between water content, soil density, and dry soil density. The 2 nd
part is deep foundation which involves safety factors from Eurocode. The
concept of positive or negative skin friction need to be clear. It should be
noted that settling soil may not generate negative skin friction. This is because
negative skin friction is the soil moving downwards faster than the pile does.
So there is still be positive friction if the soil is settling. If the pile is resting on a
hard rock, then it experiences definitely negative skin and has a base
resistance supporting it. The 3 rd topic is shallow foundation which includes ULS
and SLS (settlement). You will learn two different formulas for drained and
undrained conditions. As for settlement, it covers a range of methods, but only
certain parts are tested if it is closed book. But it also depends on the professor.
Project:
The project is quite interesting and highly related to the lecture notes.
There are three parts. The first two parts are group projects. The first part is
compaction (the formulas relating water content, soil density, and dry soil
density…). Second part is about deep foundation. Third part was about shallow
foundation and it was individual. Project changes from year to year, so it is just
a summary of what I did.
Exam:
Remember to study site investigation thoroughly because firstly it is important
secondly is because it takes a large percentage of marks.
– Shu Hui