Engineering

ECM3157 - Geotechnics 2 (2020)

Back | Download as PDF
MODULE TITLEGeotechnics 2 CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEECM3157 MODULE CONVENERProf Akbar Javadi (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 0 11 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 39
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

A good knowledge of the philosophies and techniques of geotechnical design and analysis are essential elements of the training of civil engineers, and this module will give you a useful grounding in these important topics. You will 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 as part of a field work/virtual field work. Furthermore, you will develop essential awareness of ground conditions and general safety on civil engineering sites. Finally, you will learn how to assess stresses in the soil mass, bearing capacity and settlement of shallow and deep foundations, stability of gravity and embedded retaining walls and stability of slopes.

AIMS - intentions of the module

To introduce you to the techniques of geotechnical design and analysis and their limitations, the underlying philosophies of current geotechnical practice, and different practical applications in civil engineering projects, such as the design of foundations, the design of retaining walls and analysis of stability of slopes.

 

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
This is a constituent module of one or more degree programmes which are accredited by a professional engineering institution under licence from the Engineering Council. The learning outcomes for this module have been mapped to the output standards required for an accredited programme, as listed in the current version of the Engineering Council’s ‘Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes’ document (AHEP-V3).
This module contributes to learning outcomes: SM2m, SM5m, EA1m, EA2m, EA3m, EA6m, D1m, D2m, D3m, D4m, D5m, D6m, ET2, ET4, EP3m, EP6m, G1m, G4m
A full list of the referenced outcomes is provided online: http://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/subjects/engineering/accreditation/ The AHEP document can be viewed in full on the Engineering Council’s website, at http://www.engc.org.uk/
On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge: SM2m,  SM5m
1 understand the physical and mechanical properties of soils and methods of determination of soil parameters;
2 display competence in analysing and solving problems related to geotechnical engineering;
3 appreciate the influence of soils and ground conditions on the design of civil engineering structures;
4 apply techniques acquired in previous modules to carry out site investigation, field measurements, geotechnical analysis and practice observations in the field;
5 comprehend the relevance of geology and the role of geotechnical engineering in civil engineering;
6 relate geotechnical engineering considerations to analysis and design of civil engineering projects;
7 grasp the variability inherent in field data.
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge: EA1m, EA2m, EA3m, EA6m, D1m, D2m, D3m, D4m, D5m, ET2, ET4, EP3m, EP6m
8 fathom the variability of natural materials and how this influences the choice of design parameters;
9 demonstrate a deep understanding of the main concepts of the mechanical behaviour of soils;
10 use laboratory and in-situ test results in practical design;
11 show awareness of engineering design procedures through being able to estimate the reliability of soil parameters;
12 recognise how parameters measured in the field are used in design calculations;
13 take notes and make sketches in the field or as part of virtual field work;
14 exhibit awareness of health and safety aspects of work on site.
 
Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge: D6m, G1m, G4m
 
15 exemplify observational skills in field work / virtual field work;
16 prove analytical skills in all the module topic areas;
17 reveal technical descriptive writing skills through writing reports on a field course and on laboratory testing
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
- stresses in soils: stresses at a point in a soil mass, geostatic stresses, stresses induced by various types of applied load, contact pressure;
 
- lateral earth pressure, retaining walls, gravity walls, cantilever and anchored sheet pile walls, braced excavations, diaphragm walls and reinforced soils;
 
- compression and consolidation of soils: immediate settlement, primary and secondary consolidation, foundation design criteria, theory of one-dimensional consolidation, governing equations, analytical and numerical solutions.
 
- bearing capacity of foundations: types of foundations, analytical methods for determination of the ultimate bearing capacity, determination of safe bearing capacity, in- situ testing for ultimate bearing capacity, bearing capacity of pile foundations.
 
- slope stability: slopes in granular materials, circular arc analysis under undrained conditions, method of slices, wedge analysis, progressive failure, end-of construction and long-term stability;
 
- choice of strength parameters;
 
- analysis of the laboratory and in-situ test results, analysis and preliminary design of an earth dam, writing a report.
 
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 101.00 Guided Independent Study 49.00 Placement / Study Abroad 0.00
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 24 Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 12 Tutorials
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 15 Laboratories
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 10 Field work lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 40 Field instruction
Guided independent learning 49 Preparation for scheduled tutorials, lectures, laboratory sessions and follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, revision.

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Not applicable      
       
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 15 Written Exams 50 Practical Exams 35
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Written exam – closed book 50 2 hours - January Exam 1-12, 16 Revision of previous year's exam papers
Coursework – technical report on laboratory tests 15 15-20 pages 1-12, 14-17 Feedback on reports
Practical – group report on field/virtual field work activities 35 20-25 pages 1-18 Feedback on reports
         
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-reassessment
All above Written exam (100%) All August Ref/Def period
       
       

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

If a module is normally assessed entirely by coursework, all referred/deferred assessments will normally be by assignment.

If a module is normally assessed by examination or examination plus coursework, referred and deferred assessment will normally be by examination. For referrals, only the examination will count, a mark of 40% being awarded if the examination is passed. For deferrals, candidates will be awarded the higher of the deferred examination mark or the deferred examination mark combined with the original coursework mark.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener
 
 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN Search
Set Craig, R.F. Soil Mechanics E and F N Spon (Chapman & Hall) 2012 000-0-419-22450-5 [Library]
Set Budhu, M. Soil Mechanics and Foundations 2nd John Wiley & Sons 2000 978-0471431176 [Library]
Set Das, B Principles of Geotechnical Engineering Thompson Learning 2007 000-0-534-38742-x [Library]
Set Smith, GN and Smith, IGN Elements of Soil Mechanics 7th Blackwell Science 1998 000-0-632-04126-9 [Library]
Set Azizi, F. Physical Behaviour in Geotechnics Fethi Azizi 2007 978-0955599620 [Library]
Set Azizi, F. Engineering Design in Geotechnics Fethi Azizi 2007 9780955599613 [Library]
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES ECM2110
CO-REQUISITE MODULES
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 3 (NQF Level 6) AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Tuesday 10 July 2018 LAST REVISION DATE Friday 21 August 2020
KEY WORDS SEARCH Geotechnical engineering; soil mechanics; consolidation and settlement; shallow and deep foundations; retaining walls; slope stability; geotechnical design; field course