(2 units)

This is an advanced course on analysis and design of tunnels in soils. The topics covered include bored tunnelling methods, stability of underground openings, ground movement prediction due to tunnels, effects of ground movements on buildings and structures, instrumentation and monitoring, and stresses on lining. The creation of underground structures to form subways, underpasses, metro stations and other uses is an increasing requirement in major urban areas worldwide. Students are taught the various methods of construction for creating underground space.

(2 units)

This is an advanced course on analysis and design of tunnels in rocks.

The topics covered include tunnelling methods in rocks, construction of caverns, New Austrian Tunnelling Method and stability of underground openings in rocks. The creation of underground structures to form subways, underpasses, metro stations and other uses in greater depths would likely encounter excavation in rocks.

Students are taught the various methods of construction for creating underground space.

(4 units)

This is an advanced course on ground improvement techniques as well as its design, construction and monitoring in geotechnical engineering. Topics covered include ground improvement principles and design considerations, techniques of improving granular soils, techniques of improving cohesive soils and peaty soils, field controls and monitoring, field evaluation specification, performance evaluation and acceptance criteria, and case study. Student are taught the basic principles of various ground improvement techniques, and how to select the most appropriate ground improvement techniques to be used in specific circumstances. Specific learning objectives include understanding the principles and design of vibro-flotation method, dynamic compaction, dynamic replacement with mixing, vertical drains with preloading, chemical stabilisation and grouting, etc. Field construction control and instrumentation as well as monitoring techniques will be discussed.

(2 units)

This is an advanced course in deep foundation engineering. Topics covered include site investigation for deep foundation, general bearing capacity theorem, overview of pile installation methods, axial pile capacity and deflection, pile load transfer mechanism, and laterally loaded piles as well as group pile issues. Participants will learn how to deal with design and construction issues pertaining to deep foundations under more general and realistic practical situations. Specific learning objectives include performing design calculations for piles and pile groups.

(2 units)

This is an advanced course in deep foundation engineering. Topics covered include piles subject to ground movement, piles in difficult ground, special pile foundation, pile driving analysis and dynamic testing, and static pile load tests. Participants will learn how to deal with design and construction issues pertaining to deep foundations under more general and realistic practical situations.

(2 units)

Together with “CE5108B Deep Excavations Analysis and Modelling”, this is an advanced course in earth‐retaining structures and deep excavations.

Topics include earth pressure theories, rigid retaining structures, flexible retaining structures, cellular cofferdams, retaining walls for deep excavations, support systems for deep excavations, and field monitoring. Participants are taught to deal with design and construction issues pertaining to a spectrum of earth‐retaining systems from low rigid retaining walls to flexible support systems for deep excavations. They will also learn to apply the methods of limit state, such as BS8002 and Eurocode7, to the design of rigid and flexible retaining walls.

Applications of commercial geotechnical FEM softwares are taught to aid in design of deep excavations to limit ground deformations and satisfy SLS requirements. At the end of the course, participants are taught the application of advanced earth pressure theories, selection of appropriate retaining structures, and verification of capacity and movement requirements, using limit equilibrium and FEM analysis tools.

(2 units)

This course builds upon the knowledge and skills acquired in “CE5108A Key Principles and Concepts of Earth Retention Systems” to cover the topic of deep excavations related to deep shafts and multi‐strut supported walls.

Participants are taught to deal with design and construction issues pertaining to deep excavations, such as drained and undrained conditions, as well as field monitoring practices.

Applications of commercial geotechnical FEM software are taught to aid in design and analysis of deep excavations to limit ground deformations and satisfy both serviceability requirements as well as Eurocode 7 ultimate limit states.

(4 units)

This course teaches students the essential concepts and methodology for the planning, design and implementation of site investigation, and ground instrumentation programmes. The course will be broadly divided into two parts. The first part covers various aspects of site investigation such as the planning, design, density of bore holes, sampling technology and disturbance, in-situ and laboratory testing and geophysical methods. The second part covers various aspects of ground instrumentation such as monitoring of ground movement, drawdown, excess pore pressures, strut forces, wall deflection and observational methods. This course enables students to acquire the knowledge and practical skills through the lectures, case studies and projects.