Module Leader: Dr A.M. Price

Co-lecturers: Dr. S. Utili, Dr Q. Ni

Module Information

Scope

This 30 CATS module is one of the third year modules for:

Aims

All Civil Engineers require a sound understanding of geotechnical engineering. This module gives a basic geological knowledge base and introduces a number of fundamental principles and key applications appropriate to the level of the module and the framework of the Warwick courses.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module the student should be able to...

• Identify the importance and role of geotechnical engineering within the Civil Engineering profession.
• Construct and interpret geological maps, extending their skills of graphical and spatial interpretation.
• Recognise and describe a range of soil and rock types, adopting professionally recognised systems for categorisation and description.
• Understand and apply the Principle of Effective Stress to a range of typical geotechnical problems in order to predict the ground response under different conditions of loading, soil type and groundwater states.
• Identify appropriate tests and strength criteria for rocks and soils. Use these to predict their behaviour under loading. Explain the processes active within these materials when loaded.
• Analyse problems of enclosed and open groundwater seepage to predict the performance of structures and associated risks.
• Analyse problems of instability in soil and rock slopes to predict their performance and associated risks.
• Design simple earth retaining structures
• Assess the type of foundation required and design in terms of bearing capacity and settlement.
• Appreciate settlement limits and damage criteria.

Syllabus

Introduction to geo-hazards,

Soil & Rock description and classification,

Geological Structures and Maps,

Principle of Effective Stress,

Permeability and Groundwater flow. Filters.

Compressibility and consolidation,

Strength of Soils & Rock, Critical State Soil Mechanics

Bearing capacity of shallow and deep footings,

Settlement of structures,

Tolerance limits of settlement.

Lateral pressures on retaining structures,

Design of anchors and anchorages.

Stability of earth-retaining structures. Reinforced soil.

Classification & Analysis of Slope Instability in Soil and Rock.

Stability of earth dams including end-of-construction, long term and sudden draw down conditions.

Slope Stabilisation Techniques

Site investigation: Sampling and in-situ testing of rocks and soils.

Geotechnical instrumentation.

Geotechnical Design according to Eurocode 7

Teaching Methods

This module includes 50 hours of lectures, 12 hours of examples classes, 3 hours of laboratory sessions and a 4 day residential field course.

Required self-study: 200 hours

Assessment

A 30 CATS module: 50% examined via a 3 hour paper

Exam rubric information:

• 7 Compulsory Questions

and 50% assessed consisting of :

• Factual Site Investigation Report (based upon work from the field course) 15%
• Interpretative Site Investigation Report (based upon work from the field course) 20%
• Seepage Test 15%

Links to:

Student Resources

Staff Pages

Field Course:

The field course will be based near Aberystwyth and will run twice because of the anticipated class size. Please keep the following dates free: 7 Nov - 10 Nov and 10 Nov - 13 Nov 2009. The cost of this field course is expected to be £120 per student.

Reading List

Required Textbooks:

Barnes, G.E., 2000. Soil Mechanics: Principles and Practice. 2nd ed. London: Macmillan Press.