3 Credit Hours

This course is designed to provide graduate students in civil engineering with methods of analysis and design for various geotechnical systems. Topics to be covered include: subsurface investigations; design of shallow and deep foundations including piles and drilled shafts to resist combined loadings; and design of permanent and temporary retaining structures.

Prerequisites

Graduate Student status in Civil Engineering, and CE342, “Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering” or equivalent (introductory geotechnical course from other universities), or permission of instructor.

Course Objectives

Although the practice of foundation engineering requires significant knowledge in the areas of structural analysis, concrete and steel design, as well as construction means and methods, this course will focus on the geotechnical aspects of foundation engineering. This course is designed to provide graduate students in civil engineering with methods of analysis and design for various geotechnical systems.
By the end of the semester, students will be able to:

• Interpret subsurface information to propose appropriate material properties;

• Select appropriate models and analysis methodologies for a range of foundation engineering problems;
• Perform the geotechnical engineering (not structural) design functions for: shallow and deep foundations for vertical and lateral loads, retaining walls and basic excavation support systems.

Course Requirements

A weighted average will be calculated as follows:

Task	Percentage
Engineering Assignments and Work	35%
Term Project	15%
Midterm Exam	20%
Final Exam	30%

Textbook

Donald P. Coduto, Foundation Design: Principles and Practices, 3 rd Edition, Pearson
(2016). This textbook is optional.

Created: 11/14/2025