Unit information: Geotechnics 4 in 2014/15

Unit name	Geotechnics 4
Unit code	CENGM2300
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Vardanega
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	Normally the successful completion of appropriate Level 2 Engineering units
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Civil Engineering
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

This unit aims to enhance students' geotechnical capabilities in analysing real data and solving real problems. The content may vary from year to year but is likely to include: site investigation; rock mechanics; geotechnical instrumentation; case studies.

Aim:

To enhance students' geotechnical capabilities in analysing real data and solving real problems.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, successful students will:

ULO 1. Appreciate the relationships between theory and practice; design and construction; (SS 4,6; PLO B9)

ULO 2. Understand the importance of geology in site investigation, and know about the standard techniques of ground investigation; be able to interpret a borehole log and advise on its implications; be able to plan a simple site investigation; (SS 2; PLO A2, B2, B5)

ULO 3. Know the range of geotechnical tests available, and know their advantages and disadvantages; be able to interpret some geo-technical test data; (SS 2; PLO A2)

ULO 4. Understand how the ground response influences structural behaviour and how the structural response affects the ground; (SS 7; PLO A7)

ULO 5. Know how geotechnical constructions may affect the ground and structures nearby; (SS 6,7; PLO A7, C5)

ULO 6. Be aware of techniques of geotechnical instrumentation and understand the purposes of observation of geotechnical performance; (SS 7; PLO C5)

ULO 7. Understand some of the important factors which govern the choice of soil parameters for design, and have some ability in their selection. (SS 5; PLO A2,B2)

Teaching Information

Lectures: 22 hours

Seminar: 3 hours

Assessment Information

Site investigation coursework 25% ULO 2, 3

3 hour exam (January) 75% ULO 1-7

Reading and References

1. Clayton, CRI, Mathews, MC and Simons, NE (1995). Site Investigation (2nd Ed.). Blackwell. ISBN 0-632-02908-0. Can be downloaded from http://www.geotechnique.info/
2. Kastner R, Kjekstad O and Standing J (2003). Avoiding damage caused by soil-structure interaction : lessons learnt from case histories. Thomas Telford.
3. Horvath, J (2002). Soil-Structure Interaction Research Project - Basic SSI Concepts and Applications Overview. Center for Geotechnology, Manhattan College. Report No. CGT-2002-2. Can be downloaded from http://jshce.com/files/cgt-2002-2.pdf