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Study information

Geotechnical Engineering and Foundation Design - 2023 entry

MODULE TITLEGeotechnical Engineering and Foundation Design CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEENG3006 MODULE CONVENERProf Akbar Javadi FICE CEng (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 0 11 0
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)

Discipline and Module Intended Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

1 Understand the physical and mechanical properties of soils and methods of determination of soil parameters

2 Display competence in analysing and solving problems related to geotechnical engineering

3 Appreciate the influence of soils and ground conditions on the design of civil engineering structures

4 Apply techniques acquired in previous modules to site investigation, field measurements, geotechnical analysis, observations and the practice observations in geotechnical analysis and design

5 Comprehend the role of geotechnical engineering in civil engineering

6 Relate geotechnical engineering considerations to analysis and design of civil engineering projects

7 Grasp the variability inherent in field data

8 Fathom the variability of natural materials and how this influences the choice of design parameters

9 Demonstrate a deep understanding of the main concepts of the mechanical behaviour of soils

10 Use laboratory and in-situ test results in practical design

11 Show awareness of engineering design procedures through being able to estimate the reliability of soil parameters

12 Recognise how parameters measured in the field are used in design calculations

13 Prove analytical skills in all the module topic areas

14 Reveal technical descriptive writing skills through writing reports on a design and on laboratory testing

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

Stresses in soils

  • Stresses at a point in a soil mass:
  • Geostatic stresses:
  • Stresses induced by various types of applied load:
  • Contact pressure:

Retaining structures

  • Lateral earth pressure
  • Retaining walls
  • Gravity walls:
  • Cantilever and anchored sheet pile walls

Compression and consolidation of soils

  • Immediate settlement:
  • Foundation design criteria
  • Primary and secondary consolidation:
  • Theory of one-dimensional consolidation:
  • Governing equations of consolidation:
  • Analytical and numerical solutions for consolidation:

Bearing capacity of foundations

  • Types of foundations:
  • Analytical methods for determination of the ultimate bearing capacity:
  • Determination of safe bearing capacity:
  • In-situ testing for ultimate bearing capacity:
  • Bearing capacity of pile foundations:
  • End-of construction and long-term stability:
  • Choice of strength parameters:

Slope stability

  • Slopes in granular materials:
  • Circular arc analysis under undrained conditions:ty
  • Method of slices:
  • Wedge analysis:
  • Progressive failure:
  • Methods of slope stabilisation:

 

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 48 Guided Independent Study 102 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 22 Lecture
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 11 Tutorial
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 15 Laboratory
Guided independent study 102 Independent study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 30 Written Exams 50 Practical Exams 20
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Written exam - closed book 50 2 hours (Summer) 1-2, 5, 9, 13  
Coursework - technical report on lab tests 25 10 hours 1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 14 Feedback on report
Practical – design  report  25 10 hours 2-8, 10-11, 14 Feedback on report

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
All above Exam (2 hours) A;; Referral/deferral period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Reassessment will be by a single written exam only worth 100% of the module. For deferred candidates, the mark will be uncapped. For referred candidates, the mark will be capped at 40%.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Craig, R.F. Soil Mechanics 8th E and F N Spon (Chapman & Hall)
Set Budhu, M. Soil Mechanics and Foundations John Wiley & Sons
Set Azizi F. Engineering Design in Geotechnics Fethi Azizi
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES ENG2010
CO-REQUISITE MODULES
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Friday 27th January 2023 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 5th October 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH None Defined

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.