BFC 43103

CONFIDENTIAL

UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA

FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER I
SESSION 2021/2022

COURSE NAME : FOUNDATION ENGINEERING

COURSE CODE : BFC 43103

PROGRAMME CODE : BFF

EXAMINATION DATE : JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

DURATION : 3 HOURS

INSTRUCTION : 1. ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN

PART A AND TWO (2) QUESTIONS
IN PART B.

2. THIS FINAL EXAMINATION IS AN

ONLINE ASSESSMENT AND
CONDUCTED VIA CLOSE BOOK.

THIS QUESTION PAPER CONSISTS OF FIFTEEN (15) PAGES

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 BFC 43103
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PART A

Q1 (a) A pile is a slender structural member that is installed in the ground to transfer the
structural loads to the foundation soil. Outline how piles are classified according to the
type of material, cross sectional geometry, method of installation and load transfer
mechanism.
(8 marks)

(b) A group pile has a section of 4 x 4 with each having a diameter of 305 mm are
embedded in clay. The length of the piles are 12 m and the spacing between the piles
(d) are 1.0 m. The recorded soil profile for the ground is shown in Table 1. Propose the
allowable load bearing capacity of the pile with a factor of safety of (FS) of 3.
(17 marks)

Q2 (a) List and differentiate the type of retaining structure in terms of function, construction
method and design method.
(9 marks)

(b) As a design engineer, use a suitable method to prevent slope failure for 12 m high
slope with the following specification.

The soil parameters for the wall backfill

Unit weight of soil, γ, is 19.0 kN/m3
Soil internal friction angle, ϕ’, is 35˚

Geotextiles properties
Tult is 65 kN/m.
RFid is 1.2,
RFcr is 2.5,
RFcbd is 1.25.
(16 marks)

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PART B

Q3 (a) Soil improvement and ground modification techniques are used to improve
poor/unsuitable subsurface soils and/or to improve the performance of
embankments or structures. Table 2 shows the category of the ground improvement
techniques and its methods to carry it out. Elaborate TWO (2) function for each of
category of the ground improvement techniques.

(7 marks)

(b) Table 3 shows result of a seismic refraction field work of a proposed site for a
building project.

(i) Analyse the seismic velocity and thickness of the material encountered from
the survey
(10 marks)

(ii) Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of seismic refraction technique in

the site investigation works.
(8 marks)

Q4 (a) A retaining wall with a sandy soil as backfill is shown as in FIGURE Q4(a). It is
very important that the retaining wall is design accordingly to avoid failure.

(i) Design the size of the retaining wall.

(4 marks)

(ii) Since the consultant want to use pile as a foundation, proposed the others
stability of the retaining wall.
(9 marks)

(b) A site investigation report is prepared for a construction of a high-rise building as

given in Table 4. With that, the construction uses a 25-meter-long concrete pile with
a cross section of 0.4 m x 0.4 m that is fully embedded in a non-homogeneous soil
that has a combination of sand and clay layers. Design the allowable load (Qall) that
the pile are able to hold by considering the soil resistance in all layers in that
specific soil condition. Use a factor of safety (FS) of 3. (Note: use the simpliest
method for pile capacity in clay).
(12 marks)

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Q5 (a) Elaborate how the the water table will decrease the bearing capacity of the soil.
(5 marks)

(b) The location of column and also the column load for construction of TNB store in
new school project as shown in FIGURE Q5(b). As a consultant engineer you are
required to design the shallow foundation for this structure. The soil properties of
the dense sand given as  = 16.5 kN/m3, ’ = 20o, c’ = 70 kN/m2 and depth of the
footing, Df = 1.5 m. Evaluate if spread footings can be used.
(20 marks)

-END OF QUESTIONS-

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FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER / SESSION : SEM I 2021/2022 PROGRAMME CODE : BFF
COURSE NAME : FOUNDATION ENGINEERING COURSE CODE : BFC 43103

TABLE 1 : Soil type and soil parameter

Depth Soil parameter

0.0 m to 2.0 m Unit weight = 17.5 kN/m3

Cohesion = 20 kN/m2

2.0 m to 8.0 m Unit weight = 18.5 kN/m3

Cohesion = 60 kN/m2

8.0 m to 15.0 m Unit weight = 20.1 kN/m3

Cohesion = 80 kN/m2

TABLE 2 : Ground improvement techniques and its methods

Category Method

Consolidation prefabricated vertical drains, and surcharge

Load reduction geofoam, foamed concrete, and lightweight fill
vibro compaction, and dynamic compaction by
Densification
falling weight impact
Reinforcement stone columns
Deep soil mixing wet and dry mixing methods
Grouting permeation grouting, and jet grouting
Load transfer column supported embankment

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FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER / SESSION : SEM I 2021/2022 PROGRAMME CODE : BFF
COURSE NAME : FOUNDATION ENGINEERING COURSE CODE : BFC 43103

TABLE 3: Result of a seismic refraction field survey

Distance from the point of Time of first arrival of
impact seismic wave
(metres) (milliseconds)
2.5 10
5 24
7.5 34
10 42.
15 51
20 57
25 65
30 69
35 71
40 75
50 77

TABLE 4: Site investigation soil information

Depth (m) Thickness of Soil parameters Soil Description
each layer (m) given
0-4 4 Cone penetration Sand
frictional resistance
(fc) = 83 (kN/m2)
4-8 4 Cone penetration Sandy soil
frictional resistance
(fc) = 143 (kN/m2)
8 - 13 5 Cone penetration Sandy gravel
frictional resistance
(fc) = 223 (kN/m2)
13 – 17 5 cu = 25 kN/m2, γ = 16 Silty clay
3
kN/m
17 - 24 7 cu = 40 kN/m2, γ = 17 Clay
3
kN/m
24 - 28 4 cu = 90 kN/m2, γ = 18 Hard Clay
kN/m3

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 BFC 43103
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FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER / SESSION : SEM I 2021/2022 PROGRAMME CODE : BFF
COURSE NAME : FOUNDATION ENGINEERING COURSE CODE : BFC 43103

0.1 H

Soil properties
for backfill
γ = 18 kN/m3
φ’ = 32o 6.0 m

0.1 H

0.15 H Soil properties below the

cantilever wall
γ = 17.1 kN/m3
0.7 H φ’ = 28o

FIGURE Q4 (a) : Retaining wall

6m

Q1 = 1000 kN
1.5
Q1 = 1000 kN Q2 = 3000 kN Q1 = 1000 kN
4m

2.5 m 2.5 m

Q1 = 1000 kN 1.5

FIGURE Q5 (b) : Geometry of spread footing

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 BFC 43103
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FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER / SESSION : SEM I 2021/2022 PROGRAMME CODE : BFF
COURSE NAME : FOUNDATION ENGINEERING COURSE CODE : BFC 43103

TABLE 5 : Terzaghi Bearing Capacity factor

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FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER / SESSION : SEM I 2021/2022 PROGRAMME CODE : BFF
COURSE NAME : FOUNDATION ENGINEERING COURSE CODE : BFC 43103

TABLE 6: Meyerhof’s bearing capacity factor

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FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER / SESSION : SEM I 2021/2022 PROGRAMME CODE : BFF
COURSE NAME : FOUNDATION ENGINEERING COURSE CODE : BFC 43103

TABLE 7 : Variation of α

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FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER / SESSION : SEM I 2021/2022 PROGRAMME CODE : BFF
COURSE NAME : FOUNDATION ENGINEERING COURSE CODE : BFC 43103

List of formula
SOIL IMPROVEMENT AND GROUND MODIFICATION
CH 'o  '( p ) ct
Tv  v 2
Sc ( p )  c c log
1 e o  '
o
Hc
 U% 
2

For U%: 0% to 60%; Tv   

Cc H c 'o   '( p )  '( f )  4  100 
Sc ( p  f )  log For U% > 60%;
1  eo 'o
Tv  1.781  0.931log 100  U %

 'o  '( p ) 
log    ' 
 'o  log 1  '( p ) 
U  o 
   ( p )  (' f ) 
' '
U
log  o   '  '  
 'o  log 1  '( p ) 1  ' ( f )  
 o  ( p )  
SITE INVESTIGATION
N corrected  C N * N field
Do2  Di2
AR (%)  (%) 1915
Di2 C N  0.77 log10
po
𝑁𝜂𝐻 𝜂𝐵 𝜂𝑆 𝜂𝑅 Schmertmann’s (1975) theory
𝑁60 = 0.34
60 𝑁
where 𝜙 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 [ 60
𝜎
, ]
N60 = Standard penetration number, corrected for 12.2+20.3( 0 )
𝑃𝑎
field conditions.
where, 𝜎0′ = effective overburden pressure
ηH = Hammer Effiency (%)
ηB = Correction for borehole diameter (kPa) = γH
ηS = Sampler correction Pa = atmospheric pressure
ηR = Correction for rod length

Variation of ηB
Diameter (mm) ηB
60 – 120 1
150 1.05
200 1.15

Variation of ηS
Rod lenght (mm) ηB
Standard sampler 1.0
With liner for dense sand and clay 0.8
With liner for loose sand 0.9

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FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER / SESSION : SEM I 2021/2022 PROGRAMME CODE : BFF
COURSE NAME : FOUNDATION ENGINEERING COURSE CODE : BFC 43103

SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS
Modification of Bearing Capacity Equations for Water Table
Case II for water within 0 ≤ d ≤
Case I for water within 0 ≤ B; Case III when the water table
D1 ≤ Df; q  D1 dry is located so that d ≥ B, the
q  D1 dry  D2   sat   w 
 
d water will have no effect on
      dry   
    sat   w B the ultimate bearing capacity.

qu  cNc Fcs Fcd Fci  qNq Fqs Fqd Fqi  1

2  BN F s F d F i
Shape Factor
B Nq B B
Fcs  1  . Fqs  1  tan  Fs  1  0.4
L Nc L L
Depth Factor
𝐷𝑓 ⁄𝐵 ≤ 1, 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝜙 = 0
𝐷 𝐹𝑞𝑑 = 1 𝐹𝛾𝑑 = 1
𝐹𝑐𝑑 = 1 + 0.4( 𝑓⁄𝐵 )
𝐷𝑓
⁄ ≤ 1, 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝜙 > 0
𝐵
1 − 𝐹𝑞𝑑 𝐷𝑓 𝐹𝛾𝑑 = 1
𝐹𝑐𝑑 = 𝐹𝑞𝑑 − 𝐹𝑞𝑑 = 1 + 2𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜙′(1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜙′)2
𝑁𝑐 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜙′ 𝐵
𝐷𝑓 ⁄𝐵 > 1, 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝜙 = 0
𝐷 𝐹𝑞𝑑 = 1 𝐹𝛾𝑑 = 1
𝐹𝑐𝑑 = 1 + 0.4 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ( 𝑓⁄𝐵 )
radians
𝐷𝑓 ⁄𝐵 > 1, 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝜙 > 0
1 − 𝐹𝑞𝑑 𝐷𝑓 𝐹𝛾𝑑 = 1
𝐹𝑐𝑑 = 𝐹𝑞𝑑 − 𝐹𝑞𝑑 = 1 + 2 tan 𝜙 ′ (1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜙′)2 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ( )
𝑁𝑐 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜙′ 𝐵
radians
where L is the length of the foundation and L>B.
Inclination Factor
2
 
2
  
Fci  Fqi  1   Fi  1  
 90   ' 
 is the inclination of the load on the foundation with respect to vertical
Eccentric Loading in Shallow Foundations
Q 6M M
qmax =  2 e
BL B L Q
4Q Q
qmax  FS  ult
3L  B  2e  Q

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FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER / SESSION : SEM I 2021/2022 PROGRAMME CODE : BFF
COURSE NAME : FOUNDATION ENGINEERING COURSE CODE : BFC 43103

SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS
2  B N F s F d F i
qu  cNc Fcs Fcd Fci  qNq Fqs Fqd Fqi 
1  

One Way Eccentric Loading in Shallow Foundations

Method 2:
 1 
Qult  B c ' N c ( e )  qN q ( e )   BN ( e ) 
Method 1:  2 
B  B  2e  1 
Qult  BL c ' N c ( e ) Fcs ( e )  qN q ( e ) Fqs ( e )   BN ( e ) F s ( e ) 
L  L  2 
qu  cN c Fcs Fcd Fci  qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi L
Fcs ( e )  1.2  0.025
1  
 2  B N  F s F d F i B
Qult  qu BL Fqs ( e )  1.00
B   3  e    B 
2
 2e
F s ( e )  1.0    0.68   0.43       
B L   2  B    L 
Method 3:
qu ( eccentric )
Rk  1 
qu ( centric )
k
e
Rk  a  
B
qu ( eccentric )  qu ( centric ) 1  Rk 
qu ( centric )  qN q Fqd + 12  BN  F d
Qult  Bqu ( eccentric )
Primary Consolidation Settlement for Normally Consolidated Clays

Cc H c  o   av 𝑄𝑔
S c p   log ′
, for 2:1 method 𝛥𝜎(1) = (𝐿 +𝑧 )(𝐵 +𝑧 )
1  eo  o 𝑔 1 𝑔 1

Primary Consolidation Settlement for OverConsolidated Clays

for  o   av   c for  o   c   o   av

CH     av CH  C H     av
S c p   s c log o S c p   s c log c  c c log o
1  eo  o 1  eo  o 1  eo  c

Average Increase in Pressure

  16   top
 av   4 medium
   , 𝛥𝜎𝑡𝑜𝑝/𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒/𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑚
  bottom ′
= 𝑞𝑜 𝐼𝑐
𝐿 𝑧
𝑚1 = , 𝑛1 =
𝐵 (𝐵/2)

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 BFC 43103
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FINAL EXAMINATION

SEMESTER / SESSION : SEM I 2021/2022 PROGRAMME CODE : BFF

COURSE NAME : FOUNDATION ENGINEERING COURSE CODE : BFC 43103

PILE FOUNDATIONS
Ultimate Capacity of Piles and Group Piles in Saturated Clay
Qs   f pL
f  'o  Qu  n1n2 9 Ap cu ( p )    pcu L 
 K tan 'R
D
Lg   n1  1 d  2  
K  1  sin 'R 2
K  1  sin 'R OCR D
Bg   n2  1 d  2  
OCR 
pc 2
Po  Qu  Lg Bg cu ( p ) Nc*   2  Lg  Bg  cu L
Qp  A pq p
Q p  A p qN*q  ei 
sci    Hi
Qp  N*c c u A p
1  eoi 
Q p  9c u A p
[2(𝑛1 + 𝑛2 − 2)𝑑 + 4𝐷]
𝑓𝑎𝑣 = 𝜆(𝜎̅𝑜′ + 2𝑐𝑢 ) 𝜂=
𝑝𝑛1 𝑛2

CONVENTIONAL GRAVITY AND CANTILEVER WALL

Rankine’s Theory
Pa  12 Ka 1H 2
Pa  12 Ka 1H 2  qKa H
 MR
Pv  Pa sin  FSoverturning 
 MO
Ph  Pa cos   H 
 M O  Ph  
Pp  12 K p  2 D2  2c2 K p D  3 
Ph  Pa cos 
Ka  tan2  45  12 1 
Pv  Pa sin 
K p  tan  45  2 
2 1
2

 FR   V  tan  k12   Bk2c2  Pp

FSsliding  
 Fd Pa cos 

1
𝑞𝑢 = 𝑐 ′𝑁𝑐 + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 + 𝛾𝐵𝑁𝛾
2

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 BFC 43103
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FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER / SESSION : SEM I 2021/2022 PROGRAMME CODE : BFF
COURSE NAME : FOUNDATION ENGINEERING COURSE CODE : BFC 43103

LATERAL EARTH PRESSURE AND RETAINING WALLS

v
E 1    Z1 
1 v 2  v1
xc
   1  2 1    2 v 2  v1
 
g

1 v32  v12  v3 v 2
z2  Ti 2  2 Z 1 
2 v3 v1  v32  v 22
 

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