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This course is sponsored by the Coasts, Oceans, Ports & Rivers Institute and part of the Port Engineering Certificate Program.

INSTRUCTORS: 
Jerko Kocijan, Ph.D., P.E., GE, M.ASCE
Nason J. McCullough, Ph.D., P.E., G.E., M.ASCE

Purpose and Background

This course will provide a general background on the geotechnical design of port facilities. The aspects covered include geotechnical explorations and the interpretation of geotechnical data, the estimate of seismic hazards, and the analysis and design of port facilities. In addition, the course will discuss ground improvement, geotechnical aspects of construction, and other topics. The course will include the criteria used for geotechnical design, the evaluation of extreme hazards, and the design of pile-supported structures, bulkheads, land reclamation, breakwaters, dolphins, ship channels, and embankment slopes. The course will provide the background for the geotechnical analysis and design of port facilities and prepare the student to understand the engineering required for the geotechnical design port facilities.

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the types and requirements for geotechnical explorations for port facilities.
• Interpret geotechnical data for the analysis, design, and construction of port facilities.
• Explain the background for geotechnical analysis and design of port facilities.
• Identify geotechnical seismic hazards and how they are estimated and used in the evaluation of port facilities.
• List the criteria and requirements for conducting geotechnical design for various port structures (pile-supported structures, bulkhead structures, mooring structures, etc.).
• Apply concepts of geotechnical analysis towards the engineering required for the design of port facilities.
• Describe the types and applicability of ground improvement methods.
• Describe construction testing methods and applicability to various port structures.
• Explain maintenance requirements and budgets.

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Achievement of the learning outcomes by attendees will be assessed through (3) exams.

Who Should Attend?

• Entry level engineers working for port authorities or consulting firms
• Engineers seeking to move into the field of port engineering
• Building officials
• Owners of port facilities
• Engineers from other disciplines
• Management that may be placed into a position of authority over port facilities and have the need to understand the geotechnical design aspects of port facilities

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs

This course is worth 2.4 CEUs/24 PDHs. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete (3) exams and receive a passing score of 70% or higher.

How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?

1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]

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Course Outline

Week 1: Introduction and Geotechnical Design Philosophy
Course and Week Introduction
Roles of the Geotechnical Engineer
Geotechnical Design Process
Risk and Risk Registry
Learning Exercise
Soil Classification
Rock Classification
Geotechnical Design Philosophy
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 2: Data Gathering and Field Exploration
Week Introduction
Field Exploration Intro and Desktop Study
Scoping a Field Exploration
Surface Exploration
Learning Exercise
Subsurface Explorations
Testing and Support Equipment
Health, Safety and Environmental Considerations
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 3: Laboratory Testing and Factual Data Reporting
Week Introduction
Basic Soil Properties/Soil Phase Diagram
Sand vs Clay – Key Characteristics
Laboratory Test Types (Part 1)
Laboratory Test Types (Part 2)
Learning Exercise
Laboratory Testing Program
Laboratory Testing Program Review
Geotechnical Data/ Factual Report
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 4: Data Interpretation and Subsurface Profile Development
Week Introduction
Data Sources/Data Integration and Presentation
Subsurface Interpretation
Generalization Soil Profile
Learning Exercise
Selection of Soil Parameters Values for Design
Uncertainty and Upper Bound/ Lower Bound Soil Properties
Unique Elements of Subsurface Characteristics
Learning Exercise
Conclusion
Exam: Week 1-4

Week 5: Seismic and other Geo-Hazards
Week Introduction
Earthquakes and Performance Based Design
Ground Motions Assessment
Site Response Analysis
Learning Exercise
Liquefaction
Post-Liquefaction Strength Loss and Settlement/ Cyclic Softening
Other GeoHazards
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 6: Geotechnical Design Standards, Criteria and Basis of Design
Week Introduction
Codes and Standards
Review of the Geotechnical Risk Registry and Understanding Target Performance
Geotechnical Basis of Design
Learning Exercise
Water and Water Design Levels
Conclusion

Week 7: Geotechnical Design of Piles
Week Introduction
Pile Types
Pile Loading Scenarios and Design Criteria
Axial Pile Calculations
Learning Exercise
Lateral Pile Calculations
Pile Installation and Field Testing
Load Testing
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 8: Geotechnical Design of Bulkheads
Week Introduction
Types of Bulkheads
Bulkhead Installation Considerations
Earth Pressures
Learning Exercise
Global Stability Evaluations
Wall and Anchorage Calculations
Anchor Design and Advanced Analysis
Learning Exercise
Conclusion
Exam: Week 5-8

Week 9: Design of Other Structures
Week Introduction
Land Reclamation: Borrow Source and Filling
Land Reclamation: Stability and Settlement
Land Reclamation: Construction Monitoring
Learning Exercise
Dredging: Dredging Types and Materials
Dredging: Dredge Slopes
Offshore Anchored Structures
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 10: Ground Improvement Methods and Considerations
Week Introduction
Ground Improvement/ Modification Overview
Preloading/ Surcharging
Densification
Learning Exercise
Stone Columns/Geopiers
Soil Mixing / Jet Grouting
Design Considerations
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 11: Construction Considerations
Week Introduction
Contract Documents
Bid Support
Submittal Review
Geotechnical Testing, Monitoring, and Observations
Changed Conditions and Value Engineering
As-Built Documents
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 12: Other Topics and Summary
Week Introduction
Advanced Numerical Modeling I
Advanced Numerical Modelling II
Staged Construction
Learning Exercise
Existing Facilities and Demolition
Review Weeks 1-6
Review Weeks 7-11
Conclusion
Exam: Week 9-12