Civil Engineering Foundations Quiz

Geotechnical Engineering

• Geotechnical Engineering is a branch of Civil Engineering
• It deals with the engineering behavior of earth materials
• This includes investigating subsurface conditions and materials
• It determines physical/mechanical and chemical properties of these materials
• It assesses risks posed by site conditions
• It designs earthworks and structure foundations, and monitors site conditions
• It encompasses soil mechanics, rock mechanics, foundation engineering, soil dynamics, earthworks engineering, earth retaining structures, pavement engineering, ground improvement, coastal and ocean engineering

Soil Mechanics

• Soil is defined as a mixture of mineral grains and decayed organic matter
• Soil particles are dispersed in liquid and gas spaces between them
• Soil is a crucial construction material supporting structural foundations
• Important soil properties include origin, grain-size distribution, drainage ability, water compressibility, shear strength, and load-bearing capacity
• Soil mechanics studies soil's physical properties and behavior under various forces
• Soil engineering applies soil mechanics principles to solve practical problems

Origin and Formation of Soil

• Soil forms from the weathering of rocks
• Weathering is the disintegration and decomposition of rocks through natural and chemical agents
• Smaller rock pieces are produced through both mechanical and chemical processes leading to smaller grains
• Weathering involves various processes, including physical actions of water, ice, wind, and chemical reactions with materials

Residual and Transported Soils

• Residual soils are weathered products that remain in their original locations
• Important characteristics of residual soils include the gradation of particle size, with fine-grained soil typically found closer to the surface
• Transported soils are formed by weathering, then moved from their original location
• Transported soils are categorized based on their transportation and deposition methods, including glacially transported, alluvially transported, lacustrine, marine, aeolian, and colluvially transported

Building Components

• A building comprises two main parts: super-structure and sub-structure.
• The structure above the ground level is referred to as the super-structure
• Foundation is a part of sub-structure that sits at the bottom.

Foundation Types

• Foundations are categorized as shallow and deep foundations
• Shallow foundations have a depth equal to or less than their width
• Shallow foundations are further grouped into spread footings, combined footings, strap footings, and raft or mat foundations
• Deep foundations have a depth more than their width
• In deep foundations, pile foundations, pier foundations, and caisson or well foundations are common types

Shallow Foundations (Open Foundations)

• Types of shallow foundations include spread footings, strip footings, isolated/pad footings, combined footings and grillage, and raft/mat foundations
• Spread footings rest beneath walls and columns spreading the load
• Strip footing supports continuous walls
• Isolated/pad footing supports individual columns
• Combined footings support two or more columns
• Grillage foundations support heavily loaded steel stanchions in soil with poor bearing capacity
• Raft/mat foundations support all walls and columns beneath a building

Deep Foundations

• Deep foundations transmit loads through weak soil to strong soil beds or rock beds
• Deep foundations are applied when the soil in a reasonable depth lacks the desired bearing capacity (like shallow soil)
• Common types are pile foundations, pier foundations, and caisson foundations

Pile Foundation

• Pile foundations use vertical members such as timber, concrete, or steel
• Loads are transferred to a lower level by these members

Pier Foundation

• Pier foundations are vertical columns, with a larger cross-section than piles.
• They are installed in a dry area by excavating a cylindrical hole and backfilling with concrete.
• Often used when driving piles through highly resistant decomposed rock is difficult.

Caisson/Well Foundation

• Caissons are prefabricated hollow substructures used in locations that are often in water
• Sunk in the ground to the desired depth, then filled with concrete to become an integral part of the permanent structure

Foundation Importance

• Foundations anchor a building's mass and spread loads uniformly
• They define the structure's lateral stability.
• Foundation properties affect natural movement of soil, protect the structure from forces like weather and mold, and protect against heat and cold.
• Prevent settlement and subsidence, and preserve the structure from water and moisture damage.

Automation and Robotics in Construction

• Automation and robotics enhance construction productivity, safety, and efficiency
• Automated machinery (like bulldozers, excavators, and cranes) improve performance in tasks like excavation and material handling
• Drones can survey and map construction sites, creating 3D models to monitor progress and identify issues
• BIM (Building Information Modeling) is a digital representation of buildings to optimize processes
• Robots perform tasks like bricklaying, welding, and concrete spraying, offering higher precision and speed
• Autonomous vehicles are used for material and equipment transport, improving 24/7 operation

Sustainability in Civil Engineering

• Sustainability in civil engineering involves infrastructure design and construction to minimize environmental and societal impact while maximizing economic benefits
• This concept encompasses three pillars: environmental sustainability; social sustainability; and economic sustainability
• Green infrastructure uses natural systems like green roofs and rain gardens for stormwater management and urban heat island reduction
• Sustainable materials (recycled content materials) are prioritized to lessen environmental impact
• Life-cycle assessment guides design decisions to minimize environmental impact
• Energy-efficient building designs are crucial to reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions
• Promoting sustainable transportation options (walking, cycling, public transit) improves air quality and reduces emissions
• Sustainable infrastructure creates more resilient and affordable environments for communities to improve social well-being

Smart City

• A smart city integrates technology and data-driven solutions to improve the quality of life for residents and enhance sustainability
• Digital solutions support urban services, including transportation, energy, waste management, and public safety.
• Data-driven decision-making allows optimized urban planning, and service delivery, and resource allocation.
• Data collected can enable effective solutions based on real-time conditions or behaviors.