Advanced Course in Slope, Seepage and

Foundation Analysis
Presented by the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Pretoria

14 - 15 February 2022 2 ECSA CPD Points

The Advanced Slope, Seepage and Foundation Analysis short course focuses on a range of analytical techniques
incorporated in modern commercial software packages used for geotechnical stability analysis of slopes and walls,
as well as seepage and consolidation analysis. The emphasis is on methods other than the finite element method
(covered in detail in the Theoretical Soil Mechanics course) including an overview of elasticity, upper and lower
bound plasticity methods, limit equilibrium methods with a strong focus on slope stability, as well as finite difference
solutions for seepage and consolidation analysis.

The course comprises part of the taught component of a postgraduate subject, Analytical Soil Mechanics SGS 787,
taught as part of the Honours Degree course in Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Pretoria. Postgraduate
students registered for the Honours Degree in Geotechnical Engineering are required to attend this course and in
addition, successfully complete a series of assignments and pass the examination for Analytical Soil Mechanics SGS
787. There is no formal evaluation of other course attendees.

Course content
• Introduction to elasticity and plasticity in Geotechnical Engineering
• Upper and lower bound plasticity methods in Geotechnical Engineering
• Limit equilibrium methods in Geotechnical Engineering with a focus on slope stability analysis
• Finite difference seepage and consolidation analysis

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Advanced Course in Slope, Seepage and
Foundation Analysis
Presented by the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Pretoria

Learning outcomes Course fees

After successfully completing this course, you should: R6 000.00 per delegate (VAT incl.) for in-person attendance.
Course fees include all course material, refreshments and
Have a basic understanding of the principles of elasticity meals.
which includes knowledge of
• Hook’s law R3 000.00 per delegate (VAT incl.) for online attendance.
• elastic material parameters
• elasticity in one, two and three dimensions R1 500.00 per delegate for online attendance by
• isotropy and anisotropy attendees from Lower-Middle income and Low-Income
• plane-strain, radial symmetry and 3D conditions economies only.
(https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/
Have a basic understanding of the principles of plasticity articles/906519)
which includes knowledge of
• yield criteria (Mohr-Coulomb, von Mises, Tresca, Drucker Course fees must be paid in full 14 days prior to course
Prager) start dates. Proof of payment can be submitted to
• associated and non-associated flow rules [email protected].
• hardening laws (perfectly plastic, strain hardening and
strain softening materials) Admission requirements
Have a basic understanding of the principles of plastic limit Prospective delegates should ideally hold a degree in civil
analysis, i.e. engineering or engineering geology, with undergraduate
• the theorems of plastic collapse knowledge of soil mechanics.
• upper bound analysis using plastic mechanisms and
virtual work principles Accreditation and certification
• lower bound analysis using stress discontinuities and
stress rotation using Mohr circles Enterprises University of Pretoria (Pty) Ltd is wholly owned
• requirements for an exact solution by the University of Pretoria. As a public higher education
• introduction to slip line theory institution, the University of Pretoria functions in accordance
to the Higher Education Act 101 of 1997. Enterprises University
Have a basic understanding of the principles of limit of Pretoria offers short courses on behalf of the University
equilibrium analysis and these short courses are not credit-bearing, and do not
• understand the principle of limit equilibrium lead to formal qualifications on the National Qualifications
• be able to solve boundary value problems using limit Framework (NQF) – unless stated otherwise. Delegates who
equilibrium analysis successfully complete a short course and comply with the
• know the range of limit equilibrium methods for slope related assessment criteria (where applicable) are awarded
stability analysis incorporated into many software certificates of successful completion and/or attendance by
packages and their respective assumptions and the University of Pretoria.
shortcomings
• understand the principles of enhanced limit equilibrium This course is ECSA and SACNASP accredited.
analysis using numerical analysis.
• understand the principles of the strength reduction Registration and enquiries
technique for geotechnical stability analysis using
numerical analysis. Course Coordinator
Modjadji Masola
Have an understanding, and the ability to implement in a Tel: +27 (0)12 434 2500
spreadsheet, finite difference techniques for the solution of Fax: +27 (0)12 434 2505
• consolidation problems
• seepage problems Email: [email protected]

Who should enrol? Course presenter

Prof SW Jacobsz
This course is ideal for you if you are Department of Civil Engineering
• a postgraduate student studying towards your Honours
Degree in Geotechnical Engineering at the University of
Pretoria
• a civil engineering or engineering geology graduate who
has completed undergraduate courses in soil mechanics
• a senior engineer interested in improving your
knowledge of geotechnical analytical methods, or
• an engineer who wishes to expand your background in
the analytical techniques covered in the course.

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www.enterprises.up.ac.za
+27 (0)12 434 2500 +27 (0)12 434 2505 [email protected] Private Bag X41, Hatfield, 0028

For quotations on in-house training, email [email protected]

Advanced Course in Slope, Seepage and
Foundation Analysis
Presented by the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Pretoria

Course programme

Day 1: Monday 14 February 2022 Day 2: Tuesday 15 February 2022

08:00–10:00 The principles of elasticity 08:00–10:00 The principles of plastic limit analysis
Hook’s law (continued)
Elastic material parameters Upper and lowerbound plasticity example
Elasticity in one, two and three dimensions problems
Isotropy and anisotropy Introduction to slip line theory
Plane-strain, radial symmetry and 3D
conditions 10:00–10:30 Coffee/Tea break

10:00–10:30 Coffee/Tea break 10:30–12:30 Limit equilibrium analysis

The principles of limit equilibrium analysis
10:30–12:30 The principles of plasticity Solving example problems using limit
Yield criteria (Mohr-Coulomb, von Mises, equilibrium analysis
Tresca, Drucker Prager) Limit equilibrium methods in slope stability
Associated and non-associated flow rules analysis (Fellenius, Bishop, Janbu,
Hardening laws (perfectly plastic, strain Morgenstern-Price, etc)
hardening and strain softening materials)
12:30–13:30 Lunch
12:30–13:30 Lunch
13:30–15:30 Limit equilibrium analysis (continued)
13:30–15:30 The principles of plastic limit analysis The principles of “enhanced limit
The theorems of plastic collapse equilibrium” analysis using numerical
Requirements for an exact solution analysis
Upperbound analysis using plastic The strength reduction technique for
mechanisms and principle of virtual work geotechnical stability analysis using
numerical analysis
15:30–16:00 Coffee/Tea break
15:30–16:00 Coffee/Tea break
16:00–17:00 The principles of plastic limit analysis
(cont.) 16:00–17:00 Finite difference techniques for the
Upperbound example problems solution of
Upperbound analysis using software Consolidation problems
Lower bound analysis with stress Seepage problems
discontinuities and stress rotation Implementation in spreadsheets
using Mohr circles

Shifting knowledge to insight

www.enterprises.up.ac.za
+27 (0)12 434 2500 +27 (0)12 434 2505 [email protected] Private Bag X41, Hatfield, 0028

For quotations on in-house training, email [email protected]