Advanced Geotechnical Engineering Major Project 1

Assignment Overview

You need to answer to the questions in the project brief. There is a confusion about the excavation depths. Some used 2 m, 4.5 m and another 4 equal depths upto required reduced level of 163 m. It does not matter which way take your excavation sequence. If you have 6 depths for short term, that is fine. Please make a note about how you analysed the excavation of 15 m with anchors.

Short-term: for 6 excavation depths

Longterm Water Table: Guest Lecturer has given two different longterm water tables. Use only one where water table is 1 m below SS-III.

Long-term: Only for the last excavation depth (the deepest one). This is for serviceability. Hence, relevant only at the end of all stages.

Figures for the report: 6 short term cases and one long term case. Please show all slip surfaces and mark the critical one in a different colour (software automatically highlights the critical slip surface).

SLOPE/W files: Please submit SLOPE/W file for the last excavation depth for both short term and long term cases.

Pavement: No need to model in the model geometry. Only include the surcharge (distributed dead load). Normally pavement surcharge is 5–15 kPa. Write down the value you applied in the report.

Shotcrete: No need to model it. Even if you model that is fine. It will not give much strength because this excavation is in sandstone (rock).

Helpful videos: There are 3 videos in the Computer Lab 3 folder.
(i) With water table
(ii) With water table and surcharge load
(iii) With ground anchors.
These videos will help you to model the given problem.

Brief Summary of Assessment Requirements

Students must complete a project brief that investigates staged excavations and slope stability. Key requirements:

• Analyse six short-term excavation stages (6 depths acceptable) and one long-term case (deepest/existing final stage).

• Resolve confusion about excavation increments any reasonable staging that gives six short-term stages is acceptable; explicitly note your chosen sequence.

• Demonstrate how a 15 m excavation was analysed with ground anchors.

• For long-term pore-water conditions use the water table set 1 m below SS-III (choose that option).

• Produce figures showing all slip surfaces for the six short-term cases and the one long-term case; mark the critical slip surface in a different colour.

• Provide SLOPE/W project files for the final excavation depth for both short-term and long-term cases.

• Do not model pavement geometry include pavement as a distributed surcharge (normally 5–15 kPa) and state the value used.

• Shotcrete modelling is optional and not required (little benefit in sandstone).

• Use the three lab videos (water table; water table + surcharge; ground anchors) as modelling guides.

Key pointers to cover in the assessment

• State and justify the chosen excavation staging (show depths used and why).

• Describe groundwater assumption (water table = 1 m below SS-III).

• Explain anchor design/assumptions and how the 15 m excavation was stabilised.

• Run and report 6 short-term stability analyses (one per stage).

• Run and report one long-term stability analysis for the final stage.

• Include clear figures of slip surfaces; highlight the critical surface.

• Attach SLOPE/W files for the final depth (short-term and long-term).

• Record pavement surcharge value used (5–15 kPa recommended).

• State whether shotcrete was modelled and reasoning.

• Reference the three helpful videos used for modelling steps.

How the Academic Mentor Guided the Student — step-by-step (brief)

1. Clarify the brief & set deliverables

   • Mentor reviewed the assignment text with the student and confirmed deliverables: six short-term analyses, one long-term analysis, figures, and SLOPE/W files.

   • Emphasised documenting the chosen excavation sequence and the 15 m anchor-based analysis.

2. Select excavation staging and document rationale

   • Mentor suggested a practical staging that yields six depths (e.g., incremental depths summing to 15 m), and instructed the student to note alternatives are acceptable.

   • Student recorded stage depths and reduced level target (RL = 163 m).

3. Set groundwater condition

   • Mentor advised choosing the guest-lecturer’s water table option: 1 m below SS-III.

   • Student applied this single long-term water table in model inputs and noted it in the report.

4. Model geometry and material properties in SLOPE/W

   • Mentor walked through entering strata, strengths, unit weights, and boundary conditions in SLOPE/W (using the lab videos as live examples).

   • Student entered sandstone geotechnical parameters and validated geometry.

5. Short-term staged analyses (6 cases)

   • Mentor demonstrated how to create sequential excavation stages in SLOPE/W and run stability searches for each short-term depth.

   • Student produced six analyses, exported slip surface plots, and recorded factors of safety for each stage.

6. Long-term serviceability check (final depth only)

   • Mentor explained why long-term analysis applies only to the deepest stage (serviceability considerations).

   • Student ran the long-term case with the chosen water table and recorded results.

7. Anchor design and 15 m excavation

   • Mentor explained anchor modelling options (equivalent resisting forces or explicit anchor elements) and assumptions (pre-tension, spacing, capacity).

   • Student modelled anchors per the recommended approach, documented anchor geometry, loads and how they altered stability (showing improved factor of safety).

8. Pavement surcharge and shotcrete

   • Mentor instructed to include pavement as a distributed surcharge (selected a value within 5–15 kPa and justified choice).

   • Mentor advised shotcrete need not be modelled (optional); student noted this and omitted modelling since rock provides limited benefit.

9. Figures, critical slip surfaces & file submission

   • Mentor showed how to export high-quality figures and request SLOPE/W project files. Software automatically highlights the critical slip surface; mentor asked student to re-colour it for clarity.

   • Student compiled six short-term figures and one long-term figure, each with annotated critical slips, and packaged the SLOPE/W files for the final depth.

10. Write up, verification & reflection

    • Mentor reviewed the report draft, checked assumptions (staging, water table, anchor parameters, surcharge), and suggested brief sensitivity checks where needed.

    • Student finalised report, included clear notes on methodology, limitations, and referenced the three lab videos used.

How the Outcome was Achieved (what was delivered)

• A concise report containing: stated excavation staging, geotechnical input parameters, groundwater assumption (1 m below SS-III), anchor design details for the 15 m cut, and chosen pavement surcharge value.

• Six short-term stability analyses and plots (one per stage) plus one long-term analysis for the final depth. Each figure shows all slip surfaces and highlights the critical one.

• SLOPE/W project files attached for the final excavation depth (short-term and long-term cases).

• Clear documentation of modelling choices, assumptions, and brief sensitivity checks.

• Notes on shotcrete (not modelled) and references to the three lab videos used.

Learning Objectives Covered

• Apply staged excavation and slope stability analysis procedures using SLOPE/W.

• Interpret the effect of groundwater on long-term stability and apply a given water table condition.

• Model and justify the use of ground anchors for deep excavations (15 m) and assess their stabilising effect.

• Produce and present critical slip surface plots and interpret factors of safety across stages.

• Prepare and submit required software files and clear, concise engineering documentation.

• Communicate modelling assumptions, limitations, and results in an academic report format.

Get Expert Help for Your Advanced Geotechnical Engineering Project

Looking for guidance on how to approach your Advanced Geotechnical Engineering Major Project 1? You can download the sample solution below to understand the structure, methodology, and technical detailing expected in a high-quality academic submission. This sample is a valuable reference to help you learn how to analyse excavation depths, apply SLOPE/W software, and present your findings effectively.

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