Geotechnics 1 - 2021 entry

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 learning of geotechnical engineering later in your studies. You will also get introduced to the use of geotechnical software commonly used in the professional practice. The module is assessed by examination and coursework.

This module introduces the main concepts for the introduction to Geotechnical Engineering. It will allow you to develop an appreciation for (and a “mental data bank” of) the engineering properties of geo-materials as distinct from other common civil engineering materials. The module will provide the knowledge required for the understanding of soil physical and mechanical behaviour when subjected to loads, excavations, and 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 allow you to develop a feel of the approach required for undertaking ‘geo’ sciences and of the ranges of values of most common soil properties, preparing you for taking advanced modules in geotechnical engineering.

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).

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:

1. identify and describe geological materials (soils and rocks) and geological structures, and demonstrate understanding of their origin (EP2p, EP2m);

2. demonstrate a familiarity with the methods of site investigation and the most common laboratory and in-situ tests used in ground investigation (EP3p, EP3m) ;

3. comprehend physical and mechanical properties of soils and rocks, methods of determination of these properties (EP2p, EP2m EP3p, EP3m);

4. grasp the effect of ground conditions on civil engineering structures (EP2p, EP2m, EA2p, EA2m, EA4p, EA4m).


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 (D3p, D3m, EA2p, EA2m, EP8p, EP8m, EP4p, EP4m);

6. appreciate that empirical approaches should not be contemplated unless the underlying theory is understood (D3p, D3m, EA4p, EA4m);

7. show an awareness of engineering design procedures through being able to estimate the reliability of soil parameters (D3p, D3m, EP8p, EP8m).
 

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

8. exemplify improved analytical, laboratory and writing skills (D6p, D6m) ;

9. Understand the different roles within an engineering team (EP9p, EP11m);

10. Apply your skills in problem solving, communication, teamwork, information retrieval and IT facilities use (G1p, G1m);

11. Show initiative and personal responsibility as a team member or leader, fostering self-learning and peer evaluation (G4p, G4m).
 

- Introduction to the study of ‘geo’ sciences (geotechnical engineering, geoenvironmental engineering, soil and rock mechanics);

- formation of soils (erosion, transportation and deposition processes) and properties of coarse and fine fractions;

- soil classification and methods for the description of the three phases composing the soil;

- soil compaction (theory, applications, practical examples);

- introduction to Engineering Geology (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);

- site investigation aims, approaches and techniques (methods of investigation, sampling, borehole logs, geophysical methods);

- stress distribution in soils, analysis of stress/strain of soils;

- 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, introduction to Critical State Soil Mechanics.

- laboratory testing of soils and rocks;

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

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.

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Reading list for this module: