As civil engineers, almost everything we design and build at some point comes in contact with the earth. So, it is essential that you understand the fundamental mechanics that govern soil behaviour. This module introduces the basic concepts of soil classification, soil compaction, site investigation, seepage and shear strength of soil, and their practical applications in geotechnical engineering. It also covers a range of experiments that are routinely carried out in geotechnical investigation. The knowledge you will acquire in this module will provide a good grounding in the topic and stand you in good stead for your further study of geotechnical engineering later in your studies. You will also get the chance to interpret geological features in the field and gain experience of field observation and measurement techniques, site investigation and preliminary design of a civil engineering structure. You will also get introduced to the use of geotechnical software commonly used in the professional practice.

This module introduces the main concepts for the introduction to Geotechnical Engineering. It will provide the fundamental knowledge required for the characterisation and classification of geomaterials that are encountered in the professional practice, and for the understanding of soil physical and mechanical behaviour when subjected to loads, excavations, changes in the groundwater regime or in its internal structure. Laboratory experiments that are typically run for geotechnical investigation will be described and carried out in the practical sessions. The knowledge you will acquire on this module will provide a good grounding in the topic and stand you in good stead for taking year advanced modules in geotechnical engineering.

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1. identify and describe geological materials (soils and rocks) and geological structures, and demonstrate understanding of their origin 

2. demonstrate a familiarity with the methods of site investigation and the most common laboratory and in-situ tests used in ground investigation 

3. comprehend physical and mechanical properties of soils and rocks, methods of determination of these properties 

4. grasp the effect of ground conditions on civil engineering structures 

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

5. understand that the value of certain theoretical treatments lies in the background they give for sharpening engineering judgement when it is necessary to use an empirical approach 

6. appreciate that empirical approaches should not be contemplated unless the underlying theory is understood 

7. show an awareness of engineering design procedures through being able to estimate the reliability of soil parameters 

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

8. exemplify improved analytical, laboratory and writing skills 

9. Understand the different roles within an engineering team 

10. Apply your skills in problem solving, communication, teamwork, information retrieval and IT facilities use 

11. Show initiative and personal responsibility as a team member or leader, fostering self-learning and peer evaluation 
 

- the Earth, oceans and continents, plate tectonics, the geological time scale;

- rock types: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic;

- structural geology: folds, faults, fissures, joints, strike and dip;

- formation of soils: erosion, deposition process and ground water

- laboratory testing of soils and rocks;

- ground investigation: methods of investigation, sampling, borehole logs, geophysical methods;

- volume-mass relationships;

- soil classification: including Atterberg limits, soil compaction;

- seepage: permeability, seepage theory, governing equation and methods of solution, flow nets, anisotropic and non-homogeneous soils;

- effective stress;

- shear strength of soils: Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion, shear strength tests, shear strength of sands, shear strength of saturated clays, residual strength, pore pressure parameters.

The module will be delivered in residential block 1 and 2 through lectures (10 hours each residential block), tutorials and guided work (5 hour/residential block) and laboratory activities (2 sessions in each residential block). The introduction of a professional geotechnical software will be carried out through a Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach as a self-learning activity from students during independent study hours, with the support of the teaching staff when required.

Basic reading:

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Web based and Electronic Resources:

Other Resources:

Reading list for this module: