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Semester 2

Geotechnical Engineering 2 (CIVE08025)

Subject

Civil Engineering

College

SCE

Credits

10

Normal Year Taken

2

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Course Summary

This course introduces soil mechanics and engineering geology for geotechnical engineering applications such as foundations, rail construction and tunnels. It considers the fundamental mechanics of soils as a heterogeneous mixture of air, water and solid particles and the origin of these materials from their parent rocks. It analyses the deformation of natural and man-made structures that comprise or are built upon soil, and the flow of fluids within them. It develops an understanding of how the fundamental principles of geological sciences influence the design and construction of engineering structures.The course covers the fundamental multi-phase nature of soils and their origins, soil and rock description and classification, the effective stress concept, elementary seepage and compaction problems, and the standard soil testing techniques for analysing and determining soil properties.

Course Description

LECTURESIntroductionAims and challenges of geotechnical engineering; Introduction to Engineering Geology, Rock Mechanics and Soil MechanicsEngineering Geology:Structural Geology; Geohazards & Earthquakes; Difficult Grounds; Ground InvestigationSoil and rock types:Nature and formation of soils/rocks; Description and Classification of soils/rocks; Rock-quality designationMulti-phase nature of soils:Mass-volume relationships; Soil phase diagram; Theory of compaction; Laboratory compaction testsStresses in soils:Pore-water pressure; Effective stresses; Geostatic stress condition; Horizontal and vertical stresses; Normal consolidation and overconsolidation; Stresses in two dimensions; Mohr's diagram method of stress analysisPermeability of soils:Flow of water through soil; Darcy's law; Laboratory measurement of permeability; Field measurement of permeability; One-dimensional seepage; Two-dimensional seepage; Flow net construction and uses in the solution of geotechnical seepage problems.RevisionTUTORIALSTutorials give the students ample opportunities to develop skills in applying the theories and methods learned to solve elementary geotechnical engineering problems. The exercises cover a great variety of elementary geotechnical problems in varying degrees of difficulty:Engineering GeologyMass-volume relationship, soil/rock classification, and compactionTotal and effective stresses, Mohr's circlePermeability and SeepageLABORATORIESLaboratory classes aim to train the student in proper laboratory test techniques, including the analysis of results and the evaluation of relevant properties.Laboratory 1 - Determination of plastic and liquid limits:The experiments to determine the plastic limit and liquid limit of a clay soil are performed in accordance to BS1377:1990. The results lead to the determination of the plasticity index and the use of the plasticity chart.Laboratory 2 - Compaction, maximum dry density:The experiment to determine the relationship between dry density and water content is performed in accordance to Test 12 of BS1377:1990. The optimum water content which gives the maximum dry density for a certain compactive effort is determined.Laboratory 3 - Determination of coefficient of permeability:The coefficient of permeability of a sand is determined by using a constant head permeameter.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 70%, Coursework 30%, Practical Exam 0%

Additional Assessment Information

Written Exam: 70%Coursework: 30%The School has a 40% Rule for 1st and 2nd year courses, i.e. you must achieve a minimum of 40% in coursework and 40% in written exam components, as well as an overall mark of 40% to pass a course. If you fail a course you will be required to resit it. You are only required to resit components which have been failed.

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