foundation engineering project
Dr. Nabil Suleiman Spring, 2023
CE 414 Foundation Engineering Page 1 of 3
CE 414 Foundation Engineering
Project / Term Paper
** Project is due on Wednesday May 4, 2023 **
Two Options are Available for the Project:
A. Site Specific/Design Problem-- In this option, a group of students need to either design or analyze a
specific problem related to foundation engineering. You can get data/information from state/city
officials and/or gather reports from library/internet sources. The number of participants allowed in the
group depends on the size and complexity of the project.
B. Literature Review (search) -- Information is collected from library/internet sources (especially
journals) on new or innovative ideas related to foundation engineering. Topics can be local, nationwide,
or worldwide in scope. A minimum of three references are required with at least two references from
Journal/technical paper sources. The literature review option should be done individually (solo) and not
in groups.
For option A, please contact me for approval once you have an idea.
For option B, a list of possible topics for your term paper is shown below (the scope of some of the listed
topics is too broad and needs to be narrowed down). You do not have to select any of these topics but rather
encourage you to pick your own topic related to foundation engineering. Your topic needs to be more specific
than the topics in the list. Note that, you are not expected to conduct an actual research. A review of the state-of-
the-art followed by your assessment of the limitations of the work to date and future research needs is adequate.
Suggestions for possible applications or discussion of actual applications would also be appropriate. Topics
regarding recent innovations in foundation construction are also accepted.
Report: Each student (option B) or each group (option A) shall prepare and submit a typed report. The report is
expected to be approximately 8 to 12 pages long (including tables, figures, and references). Use one and a half
(1 ½) line spacing, Times New Roman, and font size of 12 points. Use any style, but be consistent. Submission
should be done by uploading to Blackboard no later than May 4, 2023. The report is worth 10% of your grade.
A list of General / Broad Topics: (You need to narrow down your selected topic)
o Site Investigation and Subsurface Exploration o Combined Footings
o Computer Applications in Foundation Engineering o Pile Groups
o Eccentrically Loaded Foundations o Pile Load Tests
o Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations In Residential Construction o Dynamics of Pile Testing
o Seismic Response Analysis of Offshore Pile Supported Structures o Foundations on Swelling Soils
o Soil Improvement for Foundation Construction o Lateral Behavior of Pile Foundation
o Surcharge Loading to Reduce Settlements o Design of Foundations on Fill
o Offshore Pile Systems o Retaining Walls
Dr. Nabil Suleiman Spring, 2023
CE 414 Foundation Engineering Page 2 of 3
Important Notes:
o There is no restriction on the topic area (as long as it relates to the subject matter). If your answer to
any of the following questions is “No” then you might want to revise your topic: Is the topic
manageable? Can it be done within the time available? Is there sufficient information or data
available? Is the subject area so narrow or “current” such that a report will provide more insightful
information?
o In any case, it will be necessary to submit a well-organized substantiated report that presents the
material in a clear and logical manner. A write-up of superficial generalities will not be considered
acceptable.
o The majority of the reported material should be taken from scientific/engineering research sources
(i.e. journal papers) and not copied from the web. In other words, you need to visit the (virtual)
library.
The following comments were in response to previous student’s questions, so pay attention:
• The project is an opportunity to help improve students’ written communication skills. Also, the open-ended
project style is designed to encourage students’ critical thinking and improve students’ ability to identify
topics, make choices based on facts, make rational decisions, collect and analyze data, and defend results.
• I look for a topic to be narrow, not general (wide). How narrow? Not to exceed the point where you still
have a good idea to investigate and report with sufficient number of references available. You decide.
• The idea/topic should have some contribution to the course. The contribution could be in a form of building
on material covered in the course or introducing a new idea/technique related to foundation engineering. Be
creative. I encourage reporting on topics that were not covered in the course.
• The sources should be technical in nature. Material taken form Journal papers, research proceedings,
technical reports, or books should be O.K. Newspaper articles and commercial advertisements/brochures
can be used as support references but not one of the required references.
• I look for your genuine input demonstrating that you spent a reasonable amount of time putting the project
together. Believe me, an overnight job of cut and paste will show no matter how hard you try to hide it.
• I would like to see a reasonable amount/level of technical input in terms of equations, formulas, tables,
figures, charts, images, etc.
• The report should be organized nicely with proper headings and subheadings (no specific style is required,
but be consistent).
• Tables and figures should be within the body of the report. Additional tables and figures can be included in
the appendix if their presence is necessary for understanding the project (you do not have to have an
appendix, its optional).
Dr. Nabil Suleiman Spring, 2023
CE 414 Foundation Engineering Page 3 of 3
A Generic Example of the Final Report can be as Follows:
Title: Introduction to the Dynamics of Pile Testing
By Your Name
TERM PAPER
FOUNDATION ENGINEERING
Spring Semester, 2023
Abstract
This paper discusses ……
1. Introduction
The dynamics of pile testing …….
2. Background
Dynamics of pile testing is ….
3. Body of paper1 (Subtitle 1)
4. Body of paper (Subtitle 2)
5. Conclusions and Recommendations
6. References
Goble, G.G., and Rausche, F., (1986), Wave Equation Analysis of Pile Foundations. WEAP86 FHWA Contract
DTFH61-84-C-00100.
Rausche, F., Goble, G.G., and Likins, G.E., (1985), “Dynamic Determination of Pile Capacity,” ASCE Journal
of Geotechnical Engineering, Vol. 111, No. 3, pp. 367-383.
Smith, E.A.L., (1960), “Pile Driving Analysis by the Wave Equation,” ASCE, Journal of Soil Mechanics and
Foundations, SM, Vol. 86, pp. 36-61.
7. Appendices (if needed)
1 You may choose the appropriate subtitles. The following are examples: Procedure, Methodology, Data Requirements, Model
Development and Verification, Economic Analysis (i.e. Cost/Benefit Ratio) … etc.