CE 593 Dynamics of Soils and Foundations

3 Credit Hours

This graduate course focuses on the underlying principles of soil dynamics, including non-linear soil behavior, vibrations, and dynamic soil-structure interaction. It complements the content offered on CE 746 course while expanding on the estimation of the dynamic properties of soils (in the laboratory and the field) and the evaluation of soil-structure interaction problems.

Prerequisite

An undergraduate level class in Seepage, Earth Embankments and Retaining Structures, or an undergraduate level class in Introduction to Foundation Engineering, or a graduate level class in Engineering Properties of Soils I, or permission of instructor. In addition, some programming experience is preferred. Students with questions regarding prerequisites should contact the instructor.

Course Objectives

This course aims to provide the necessary knowledge so that the students can:

– Analyze different rheological models to capture the dynamic behavior of soils.
– Assess differences among field investigation approaches to obtain shear wave velocity profiles.
– Determine modulus degradation and damping curves for different types of soils.
– Explain and interpret the necessary steps to conduct modal analyses in multi-degree of freedom
systems.
– Determine key parameters associated with soil-structure interaction problems.

Course Requirements

The course requirements include regular assignments, one final exam, and a term project.

HOMEWORK
Homework will be assigned to help you understand the material. You are encouraged to provide
neat, well though-out write-ups for the assignments.

PROJECT
The class project will be developed in teams and involves writing a technical paper on an original
contribution on dynamics of soils and foundations, as well as a short in-class presentation. Additional
guidance on the format and deadlines for these submissions will be provided on the first day of
class.

COURSE GRADING
The following weights will be assigned:

Homework 35%
Project 30%
Final Exam 35%

SOFTWARE
The following computer programs/packages will be used:
1. MATLAB available by download through NC State website or accessible through the Virtual Computing Lab.

2. Strata – also available to students at no charge

Textbook

Unfortunately, there are very few texts in print on soil dynamics. The following book may be of some
use, but not required:

Kramer, Steven L. (1996). Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle
River, NJ, 653pp ISBN 0-13-374943-6.

In addition, various papers and reports may be assigned as required reading. If so, they will be either
handed out in class or available in one of the NCSU libraries.

Approved 10/31/2019