Advanced Geotechnical Engineering - 2019 entry

Knowledge of the behaviour of soils is a crucial part of geotechnical engineering. In this module you will learn advanced concepts in soil mechanics, including study of elasticity, plasticity, stress paths, and soil behavior. Using analytical and mathematical skills, you will develop your ability to undertake advanced geotechnical modelling. The focus is on the constitutional modelling of soils in the context of critical state theory.

Prerequisite module: ECM2110 or equivalent
 

The purpose of this module is to introduce you to advanced concepts of geotechnical engineering. These include models in soil mechanics, elastoplastic constitutive models for soils, critical state theory, stresspaths, and soil tests and applications of elastoplastic models 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).

This module contributes to learning outcomes: SM2m, SM4m, SM2fl, SM5m, EA1m, EA2m, EA3m, EA1fl, EA6m, EA3fl, D4m, D6m, G1m, G1fl, G2m, G2fl, G4m, G4fl

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, SM4m SM2fl, SM5m

1 understand the principles of soil modelling, different soil models commonly used in geotechnical engineering and critical state theory.

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge: EA1m, EA2m, EA3m, EA1fl, EA6m, EA3fl, D4m

2 demonstrate the analytical and mathematical skills required for complex geotechnical modelling;

3 use numerical models and software for geotechnical analysis.

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge: D6m, G1m, G1fl, G2m, G2fl, G4m, G4fl

4 exemplify independent learning, critical analysis, problem solving

- soil models in geotechnical engineering;

- elasticity, plasticity and yielding;

- elasto-plastic models for soils;

- Cam clay;

- critical states;

- stress paths and soil tests;

- strength of soils;

- behaviour of soils;

- interpretation of triaxial test results;

- determination of elasto-plastic soil parameters from triaxial tests;

- application of elasto-plastic models in the finite element analysis of geotechnical problems.

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 examinaton plus coursework, referred and deferred assessment will normally be by examination. For referrals, only the examination will count, a mark of 50% 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:

Potts D and Zdravkovic L Finite Element Analysis in Geotechnical Engineering, Vols 1 and 2, Telford Publishing 2001, ISBN: 000-0-727-72812-1

Wood D M Soil Behaviour and Critical State Soil Mechanics, Cambridge University Press 1991, ISBN: 978-0521337823

Reading list for this module: