UPPER & LOWER BOUND LIMIT ANALYSIS

 Consider a shallow foundation in a saturated clay soil.

(i) Assuming undrained conditions and the collapse mechanism indicated below derive an
expression for the collapse load of the foundation based on the upper bound theory of Limit
Analysis. Ignore any adhesion between the soil and foundation base.
(ii) Compare the expression obtained above with the bearing capacity equation from Eurocode 7.
Discuss and justify the differences and similarities.

 Consider an element of soil subject to a given increment of deformation at failure. Justify in detail,
under what conditions the internal work is zero?
 Apply the lower and upper bound theories of limit analysis to the drained analysis of a submerged
infinite slope where the material is characterized by the following parameters c'=0, '  0 e   0. Using
these theories, evaluate the angle of inclination of the slope that leads to collapse.

 Consider an infinity long Foundation of width, B bearing on a clayey soil of unit weigh, and undrained
shear strength, cu. Based on the failure mechanism indicated below, determine the collapse load of the
foundation using the upper bound theorem from Limit Analysis. Comment on the comparison between
this solution and the exact solution for this problem, including the effect of the inclination of the load.

 Explain what distinguishes limit analysis from the limit equilibrium method. Support your answer based
on the problem of the evaluation of the active earth pressure load.
 What are the conditions that the upper bound theorem must respect so that the internal work is zero?
Justify your answer in detail.
 Explain in detail the two theorems of limit analysis and show how these can be applied to obtain an
estimate of the passive thrust.
 Consider a strip foundation on a clayey soil with a bulk unit weight  and an undrained strength cu.
Using the mechanism shown below and using the upper bound theorem estimate the footing failure
load. How does the estimate of the footing failure load from this analysis compare to the exact
solution? Justify.

 For the situation represented in the figure below, and using the lower bound theorem, determine the
coefficient of active earth pressure. Show that it is inferior to the coefficient of earth pressure at-rest.
The soil is a sand with an angle of shearing resistance,' and bulk unit weight, .

 Explain in detail the principles of the limit analysis theorems and demonstrate their application to the
calculation of the maximum height of an unsupported vertical cutting in a clayey soil that responds in
undrained conditions.
 Outline the basis for the upper bound method used in Limit Analysis, explaining its underlying
assumptions. For the mechanism indicated below, determine the collapse load of the strip foundation
using the upper bound method assuming that the soil has a unit weight,  and undrained shearing
resistance, cu. Compare the solution obtained with the exact solution for the same problem.
LIMIT EQUILIBRIUM METHOD

 Explain what aspects distinguish the limit equilibrium method. Support your answer based on the
problem indicated in the following figure:

 Explain the important features of the limit equilibrium method, supporting your response based on the
problem of the evaluation of the stability of an infinite slope in undrained conditions.

EARTH PRESSURES and RIGID RETAINING WALLS

 Explain the reason why KA < K0 < Kp. Support your answer considering Rankine type earth pressure
conditions.
 Consider a retaining wall with the geometry indicated in the figure below that supports silty, sandy
ground. The difference in level (cota) between points A and B is defined by the road layout and varies
between 3 and 4 metres. Preliminary calculations show that the wall section indicated does not provide
adequate levels of stability. Outline two solutions that would improve the sliding stability of the wall.
Justify the solutions presented taking into account the relationship between cost and benefit for each.

 Using Rankine earth pressure theory, draw qualitatively the diagrams of horizontal stress for the
scenario indicated in the figure below. Groundwater may reach the ground surface. Describe the
assumptions that should be considered with respect to tension cracks, taking into consideration the
undrained shearing resistance of the clayey layers.
BEARING CAPACITY and SURFACE FOUNDATIONS

 Consider a shallow Foundation in a sandy soil with groundwater at the surface. Using the collapse
mechanism shown in the figure below, deduce an expression for N  using the limit equilibrium method.

 Consider a surface foundation bearing on a purely frictional material. Using a single stress discontinuity,
apply the lower bound theorem to obtain an estimate of the bearing capacity factor, N q.
 Consider a shallow foundation over a clayey soil. Explain in detail how the bearing resistance of the
foundation varies with the position of the phreatic (groundwater) level.
 Consider the expression for bearing capacity in drained conditions:
𝑞′𝑟 = ½𝛾𝐵′𝑁𝛾 + 𝑞′𝑁𝑞
Discuss the simplifications associated with this estimate of failure load.
 Consider the following expression for estimating the collapse load of a shallow strip foundation subject
to centred vertical load: F/B = q’r = ½BγNγ + q’.Nq. Applying the limit equilibrium method, determine the
value of Nγ and Nq for the mechanism indicated in the figure. Comment on the simplifications
associated with this estimate of collapse load.
SLOPE STABILITY

 A road construction involves the excavation of a fractured rock mass which has a unit weight A. The
following figure represents a typical cross-section of a block, A delimited by discontinuities within the
rock mass. Using the limit equilibrium method, derive an expression for the value for the friction angle,
' on the discontinuity that means Block A remains stable.
Crack with water

Volume of rock per metre

length = VA
Discontinuities

 Discuss the assumptions that are the basis for Bishop´s routine (simplified) method for analysis of the
stability of slopes in drained conditions and demonstrate that the moment resistance is given by the
following expression:

 Describe the assumptions made in Bishop´s simplified method and illustrate these by drawing
schematically the free-body diagram for a slice of soil from an infinite slope. Present the expressions
for calculating the forces acting on the slice, explaining clearly the meaning of the variables. Comment
on the suitability of this (Bishop´s simplified) method for analysing an infinite slope.
 Consider the global stability of the slope shown below, using the Fellenius´ method and the failure
surface indicated. For the slices [BCHG] e [DEJI], draw schematically the force polygon and indicate
clearly the equations needed to calculate all the forces. Soils 1 and 2 are sandy soils with the following
soil parameters: Soil 1 - h1, sat1, '1 ; Soil 2 - h2, sat2, '2.

 Using the limit equilibrium method, determine the height h1 that leads to the slope failure. Soil 1: 1;
'1>i ; Soil 2:  2; cu2.
FLEXIBLE EMBEDDED RETAINING WALLS

 Consider a steel sheet pile wall constructed in a sandy soil. Describe a calculation method for
dimensioning the required wall embedment and wall cross-section in accordance with Eurocode 7.
 Consider a temporary excavation to be formed in a clayey soil and supported by a cantilever steel sheet
pile wall. Groundwater level stands at the base of the excavation. Describe a calculation method for
dimensioning the required wall embedment and wall cross-section in accordance with Eurocode 7.
Clearly identify all forces acting on the wall.
 Consider a dock structure where a steel sheet pile wall will be installed in order to support a 4 m
change in level in a clayey soil. The wall will act as a self-supporting cantilever. Describe the method
used to evaluate the required wall embedment and steel section dimensions in accordance with
Eurocode 7.
 Outline the procedure for calculating the embedment length of a self-supporting cantilever wall and an
embedded wall with a single support. Assume that the ground being supported is sandy and ensure
that all underlying assumptions are explained. Discuss the importance of the unplanned excavation
allowance.

LIMIT STATES and FOUNDATION SETTLEMENTS

 As part of the rehabilitation works for a building where a basement parking has been introduced, the
foundations will be supported directly on hard Miocene clay. What are the limit states most relevant to
the design of the foundations? Assuming that groundwater is found at about the same level as the
foundations, detail what type of settlements could occur and their importance.
 Consider the building on direct foundations shown in the figure below. Please state the most relevant
limit states to consider in the design of these foundations. Show how you could calculate the
consolidation settlement using the given soil parameters.

 Consider the flexible retaining wall shown in the figure below. Indicate 4 limit states that you consider
to be most relevant in the design of this project. Say, justifying your answer, if the loads of the existing
building will induce significant earth pressures on the retaining wall.
 Consider the anchored wall shown in the figure. Indicate and justify which are the most relevant limit
states to consider in the design of this structure. Describe in detail a method to verify safety with
respect to global failure.

 Consider a building with shallow foundations on a sandy soil. Assuming that groundwater is found close
to the base of the foundation, discuss what types of settlement can occur. Also indicate the ULSs most
relevant to the design of the foundations.
 Consider a building on shallow foundations resting on silty sand with a fines content of 30%. Assuming
that groundwater may be found at the same level as the foundation, describe the types of settlement
that could occur. Also, indicate the most relevant limit states to take into account in the design of the
foundations.
 Consider a building with shallow foundations bearing on a sandy soil. Assuming that groundwater may
be found at the same level as the foundation, describe the types of settlement that could occur. Also,
indicate the most relevant ULS to take into account in the design of the foundations.
 For the situation shown in the figure below, indicate the type of settlements that may occur and
described succinctly one method of calculation for quantifying them, indicating the required input
parameters. The groundwater level coincides with the top of the clay layer-
 Para a situação representada na Figura diga que tipos de assentamento poderão ocorrer e descreva
sucintamente um método de cálculo para a sua quantificação, indicando os parâmetros necessários. O
nível freático coincide com o topo da camada argilosa.