GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN EXAM REVIEW
WITH QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
[ GRADED A+]
What are indicator piles. and how do they benefit the foundation
design process? - ✔✔Indicator piles are prototype piles that are
constructed before the production piles. These prototype piles
are typically evaluated using pile driving analyzers, load tests, or other
means to evaluate their load
capacity. The results of these evaluations are then used to guide the
design and construction of the
©morren2024/2025.Year published 2024.
,production piles. In many cases, the indicator piles also are used to
support the structure.
Many engineers believe the only disadvantage to over designing pile
foundations is the additional cost of
the pile materials. However, there is another important consequence of
over design which can significantly
affect construction cost and may even make the foundation impossible
to build. What is this consequence and how can it be avoided? - ✔✔In
addition to increasing materials costs, over designed piles are more
difficult to install, thus increasing
labor and equipment costs. In some cases, the additional labor and
equipment costs, as well as the
associated delays in the construction schedule, can be dis
proportionally large compared to the additional
©morren2024/2025.Year published 2024.
,capacity gained. These unnecessary costs and delays can be avoided by
more precise designs and by the used of the various techniques of
verification and redesign during construction. These measures help
assure the as built foundation has sufficient capacity and performance,
without being excessively over designed.
Under what circumstances would you most likely require integrity
testing of newly-constructed drilled
shaft foundations? - ✔✔Integrity testing is especially important when
using the slurry method of construction.
Explain the difference between the active, at-rest, and the passive
earth pressure conditions. - ✔✔The at-rest pressure is that which acts
on a wall that has not experienced any lateral displacement or
©morren2024/2025.Year published 2024.
, rotation. In other words, it reflects the horizontal stresses that were
present in the undisturbed ground. The active pressure is that which
acts on a wall that has moved a sufficient distance away from the back
fill to
fully mobilize the shear strength of the soil. The passive pressure is that
which acts on a wall that has
moved a sufficient distance into the back fill to fully mobilize the shear
strength of the soil.
Which of the three earth pressure conditions should be used to design
a rigid basement wall? Why? - ✔✔A rigid basement wall should be
designed using at-rest pressure because it has not moved enough to
develop the active condition.
©morren2024/2025.Year published 2024.
WITH QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
[ GRADED A+]
What are indicator piles. and how do they benefit the foundation
design process? - ✔✔Indicator piles are prototype piles that are
constructed before the production piles. These prototype piles
are typically evaluated using pile driving analyzers, load tests, or other
means to evaluate their load
capacity. The results of these evaluations are then used to guide the
design and construction of the
©morren2024/2025.Year published 2024.
,production piles. In many cases, the indicator piles also are used to
support the structure.
Many engineers believe the only disadvantage to over designing pile
foundations is the additional cost of
the pile materials. However, there is another important consequence of
over design which can significantly
affect construction cost and may even make the foundation impossible
to build. What is this consequence and how can it be avoided? - ✔✔In
addition to increasing materials costs, over designed piles are more
difficult to install, thus increasing
labor and equipment costs. In some cases, the additional labor and
equipment costs, as well as the
associated delays in the construction schedule, can be dis
proportionally large compared to the additional
©morren2024/2025.Year published 2024.
,capacity gained. These unnecessary costs and delays can be avoided by
more precise designs and by the used of the various techniques of
verification and redesign during construction. These measures help
assure the as built foundation has sufficient capacity and performance,
without being excessively over designed.
Under what circumstances would you most likely require integrity
testing of newly-constructed drilled
shaft foundations? - ✔✔Integrity testing is especially important when
using the slurry method of construction.
Explain the difference between the active, at-rest, and the passive
earth pressure conditions. - ✔✔The at-rest pressure is that which acts
on a wall that has not experienced any lateral displacement or
©morren2024/2025.Year published 2024.
, rotation. In other words, it reflects the horizontal stresses that were
present in the undisturbed ground. The active pressure is that which
acts on a wall that has moved a sufficient distance away from the back
fill to
fully mobilize the shear strength of the soil. The passive pressure is that
which acts on a wall that has
moved a sufficient distance into the back fill to fully mobilize the shear
strength of the soil.
Which of the three earth pressure conditions should be used to design
a rigid basement wall? Why? - ✔✔A rigid basement wall should be
designed using at-rest pressure because it has not moved enough to
develop the active condition.
©morren2024/2025.Year published 2024.
