Geotechnics 1 - 2019 entry

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.

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:

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: