ES3G1-15 Geotechnical Engineering I
Introductory description
ES3G1-15 - Geotechnical Engineering I
Module aims
All Civil Engineers require a sound understanding of geotechnical engineering. This module gives a basic geological knowledge base and introduces a number of fundamental principles and key applications appropriate to the level of the module and the framework of the course.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Introduction to geo-hazards
Soil & Rock description and classification
Geological Structures and Maps
Principle of Effective Stress
Permeability and Groundwater flow; Filters
Compressibility and consolidation
Strength of Soils & Rock, Critical State Soil Mechanics.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Identify the importance and role of geotechnical engineering within the Civil Engineering profession.
- Construct and interpret geological maps, extending their skills of graphical and spatial interpretation.
- Compare a range of soil and rock types, adopting professionally recognised systems for categorisation and description.
- Apply the Principle of Effective Stress to a range of typical geotechnical problems in order to predict the ground response under different conditions of loading, soil type and groundwater states.
- Select appropriate tests and strength criteria for rocks and soils. Use these to predict their behaviour under loading. Explain the processes active within these materials when loaded.
- Communicate in a professional and scientific manner.
Indicative reading list
Barnes G., Soil Mechanics: Principles and Practice, Palgrave, 3rd ed. 2010
Blyth, F.G.H. & de Freitas, M.H., Geology for Engineers, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2004
Craig, R.F., Soil Mechanics, 8th Ed., Spon Press, 2012
Smith, G.N. & Smith I.N., Elements of Soil Mechanics, 9th Ed., Wiley Blackwell, 2014
Subject specific skills
Lectures, example classes, laboratory, geological maps, fieldwork.
Transferable skills
No transferable skills defined for this module.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 sessions of 1 hour (13%) |
| Practical classes | 8 sessions of 1 hour (5%) |
| Fieldwork | 8 sessions of 1 hour (5%) |
| Other activity | 8 hours (5%) |
| Private study | 106 hours (71%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
106 hours of guided independent learning (including VLE use and support from Employer)
Other activity description
6 hours of examples classes
2 hours of revision classes
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group C
| Weighting | Study time | |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 50% | |
|
Coursework (specification and outline design of geotechnical project (10 pages length) |
||
| Online Examination | 50% | |
|
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Feedback on assessment
Coursework: individual feedback returned.
Feedback in class during example classes.
Model solutions to questions for exam preparation.
Cohort level feedback on examination.
Pre-requisites
1 (core module)
Post-requisite modules
If you pass this module, you can take:
- ES3G4-15 Geotechnical Engineering II
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 3 of DESA-H221 Undergraduate Civil and Infrastructure Engineering (Non-integrated Degree Apprenticeship)