ENG3006 | 2021 | University of Exeter

MODULE TITLE	Geotechnical Engineering and Foundation Design	CREDIT VALUE	15
MODULE CODE	ENG3006	MODULE CONVENER	Unknown

DURATION: TERM	1	2	3
DURATION: WEEKS

Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated)

DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

In this module you will continue your study of geotechnical engineering and explore how structures

interact with the soils that support them. You will develop knowledge of the philosophies and techniques of geotechnical design and analysis that are essential elements of the training of civil engineers. You will gain experience of using field observations and measurements in geotechnical analysis and design. 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. You will also engage in the use of geotechnical software commonly adopted in the professional practice.

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 the stability of slopes.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

ILO #	Intended Learning Outcome	*AHEP ILO - MEng**	AHEP ILO - BEng
ILO #1	Understand the physical and mechanical properties of soils and methods of determination of soil parameters	SM1m, SM2m, EA2m, EP2m, EP3m	SM1p, SM2p, EA2p, EP2p, EP3p
ILO #2	Display competence in analysing and solving problems related to geotechnical engineering	EA1m, EA2m, EA3m, SM5m	EA1p, EA2p, EA3p
ILO #3	Appreciate the influence of soils and ground conditions on the design of civil engineering structures	D2m, D3m, EP3m	D2p, D3p, EP8p
ILO #4	Apply techniques acquired in previous modules to site investigation, field measurements, geotechnical analysis, observations and the practice observations in geotechnical analysis and design	SM3m, EA1m, D4m, EP3m	SM3p, EA1p, EP3p
ILO #5	Comprehend the role of geotechnical engineering in civil engineering
ILO #6	Relate geotechnical engineering considerations to analysis and design of civil engineering projects	EA1m, D1m, D3m	EA1p, D1p, D3p
ILO #7	Grasp the variability inherent in field data	D3m	D3p
ILO #8	Fathom the variability of natural materials and how this influences the choice of design parameters	D3m	D3p
ILO #9	Demonstrate a deep understanding of the main concepts of the mechanical behaviour of soils	SM1m, SM6m, EA1m, EP2m	SM1p, EP2p
ILO #10	Use laboratory and in-situ test results in practical design	EA6m, EP1m, EP2m, EP3m	D3p, EP1p, EP2p, EP3p
ILO #11	Show awareness of engineering design procedures through being able to estimate the reliability of soil parameters	D3m	D3p

ILO #12	Recognise how parameters measured in the field are used in design calculations	D3m, EP1m	D3p, EP1p, EA1p, EA2p

ILO #13	Prove analytical skills in all the module topic areas	EA1m, EA2m	EA1p, EA2p
ILO #14	Reveal technical descriptive writing skills through writing reports on a field course and on laboratory testing	D6m, G1m, EP3m	D6p, EP3p, G1p, D4p
	* Engineering Council Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP) ILOs for MEng and BEng Degrees

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

1: stresses at a point in a soil mass:

Stresses in soils

2: geostatic stresses:

Stresses in soils

3: stresses induced by various types of applied load:

Stresses in soils

4: contact pressure:

Stresses in soils

5: lateral earth pressure:

Retaining structures

6: retaining walls:

Retaining structures

7: gravity walls:

Retaining structures

8: cantilever and anchored sheet pile walls:

Retaining structures

9: immediate settlement:

Compression and consolidation of soils

10: foundation design criteria:

Compression and consolidation of soils

11: primary and secondary consolidation:

Compression and consolidation of soils

12: theory of one-dimensional consolidation:

Compression and consolidation of soils

13: governing equations of consolidation:

Compression and consolidation of soils

14: analytical and numerical solutions for consolidation:

Compression and consolidation of soils

15: types of foundations: