Geotechnics 1 - 2019 entry
MODULE TITLE | Geotechnics 1 | CREDIT VALUE | 15 |
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MODULE CODE | ECM2110 | MODULE CONVENER | Dr Raffaele Vinai (Coordinator) |
DURATION: TERM | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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DURATION: WEEKS | 11 |
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) | 49 |
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Geotechnics is the science of predicting the behaviour of soil and rock and their interaction with infrastructures, using scientific methods and engineering principles. This module introduces the basic concepts of engineering geology, site investigation, soil classification, rock mass characterisation, 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.
This module is designed to introduce you to the basic concepts of engineering geology, site investigation procedures, and the principles of geotechnical engineering with some applications in civil engineering. The knowledge you will acquire on this module will provide a good grounding in the topic and stand you in good stead for taking year 3 and MEng 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).
This module contributes to learning outcomes: SM2m, SM5m, EA1m, EA2m, EA3m, EA6m, D4m, D6m, EP3m, EP11m 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 Identify and describe geological materials (soils and rocks) and geological structures, and demonstrate understanding of their origin;
2 Demonstrate a familiarity with the methods of site investigation and the most common laboratory and in-situ tests used in ground investigation;
3 Comprehend physical and mechanical properties of soils and rocks, methods of determination of these properties;
4 Grasp the effect of ground conditions on civil engineering structures.
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge: EA1m, EA2m, EA3m, EA6m, D4m, D6m, EP3m
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;
6 Appreciate that empirical approaches should not be contemplated unless the underlying theory is understood;
7 Show an awareness of engineering design procedures through being able to estimate the reliability of soil parameters.
Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge: D6m, G1m, G4m, EP11m
8 Exemplify improved analytical and writing skills;
9 Understand the different roles within an engineering team;
10 Apply yuor skills in problem solving, communication, teamwork, information retireval and IT facilities use;
11 Show initiative and personal responsibility as a team member or leader, fostering self-learning and peer evaluation.
- 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;
- Formation of soils: erosion, deposition process and ground water
- Laboratory testing of soils and rocks;
- Ground investigation: methods of investigation, sampling, borehole logs, geophysical methods;
- Basic characteristics of soils and rocks, volume-mass relationships;
- Soil classification: including Atterberg limits, soil compaction;
- Seepage: permeability, seepage theory, governing equation and methods of solution, flow nets, anisotropic and non-homogeneous soils, design of filters;
- Effective stress;
- 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 of stability of slopes.
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities | 66 | Guided Independent Study | 84 | Placement / Study Abroad |
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Category | Hours of study time | Description |
Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 48 | Lectures/problem classes/tutorials |
Scheduled learning and teaching activities |
18 | Laboratory work |
Guided independent study | 84 | Lecture and assessment preparation; wider reading |
Form of Assessment | Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) | ILOs Assessed | Feedback Method |
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Not applicable |
Coursework | 50 | Written Exams | 50 | Practical Exams |
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Form of Assessment | % of Credit | Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) | ILOs Assessed | Feedback Method |
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Written exam – closed book | 50 | 2 hours - Summer Exam | 1-8 | Revision of previous year's exam papers |
Coursework – technical report on a number of lab experiments and experimental data analysis in the context of a site investigation exercise. Each group will submit a written report (that will be marked) and will give a presentation to the class of the work, followed by a session of questions and answers from teachers staff and peers. |
50 | 24 hours | 1-11 | Feedback on reports. group presentation, peer-assessment and self-assessment |
Original Form of Assessment | Form of Re-assessment | ILOs Re-assessed | Time Scale for Re-reassessment |
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All above | Written exam (100%) | All | August Ref/Def period |
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.
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener
ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk
Reading list for this module:
Blyth, F.G.H and de Freitas, M.H. A Geology for Engineers, 7th ed Butterworth Heinemann 1984. ISBN: 000-0-713-12882-8
Craig , R.F. Soil Mechanics, E and F N Spon (Chapman & Hall) 2012. ISBN: 000-0-419-22450-5
Budhu, M. Soil Mechanics and Foundations, 2nd edition John Wiley & Sons 2000. ISBN: 978-0471431176
Durrance, E.M and Laming, D.J.C. The Geology of Devon, University of Exeter 2002. ISBN: 0859891534
Azizi, F. Physical Behaviour in Geotechnics, Fethi Azizi 2007. ISBN: 978-0955599620
Azizi, F. Engineering design in geotechnics, Fethi Azizi 2007. ISBN: 9780955599613
Waltham, T. Foundations of Engineering Geology 3rd edition Taylor and Francis 2009. ISBN: 978-0415469609
Reading list for this module:
Type | Author | Title | Edition | Publisher | Year | ISBN |
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Set | Blyth, F.G.H and de Freitas, M.H | A Geology for Engineers | 7th | Butterworth Heinemann | 1984 | 000-0-713-12882-8 |
Set | Craig, R.F. | Soil Mechanics | E and F N Spon (Chapman & Hall) | 2012 | 000-0-419-22450-5 | |
Set | Budhu, M. | Soil Mechanics and Foundations | 2nd | John Wiley & Sons | 2000 | 978-0471431176 |
Set | Durrance, E.M and Laming, D.J.C | The Geology of Devon | University of Exeter | 2002 | 0859891534 | |
Set | Azizi, F. | Physical Behaviour in Geotechnics | Fethi Azizi | 2007 | 978-0955599620 | |
Set | Azizi, F. | Engineering Design in Geotechnics | Fethi Azizi | 2007 | 9780955599613 | |
Set | Waltham, T | Foundations of Engineering Geology | 3rd | Taylor and Francis | 2009 | 978-0415469609 |
CREDIT VALUE | 15 | ECTS VALUE | 7.5 |
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PRE-REQUISITE MODULES | None |
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CO-REQUISITE MODULES | None |
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) | 2 (NQF level 5) | AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING | No |
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ORIGIN DATE | Tuesday 10th July 2018 | LAST REVISION DATE | Friday 8th March 2019 |
KEY WORDS SEARCH | Geotechnical engineering; soil mechanics; soil classification; soil compaction; rock mass characterisation; introduction to engineering geology; site investigation; seepage; shear strength of soils. |
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Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.