Introductory description

ES4D8-15 Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

Module web page

Module aims

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.

Problem Ground Improvement techniques: Overview of problem ground conditions, giving details and case studies on the following: Shrinking and swelling clays, peat and glacial tills. The students are introduced to difficult sites through problem based learning using real world data and drawings.
Ground improvement techniques covered include replacement, dynamic and vibro compaction, use of admixtures and the use of geosynthetic. Geosynthetics reinforced soil is demonstrated in a laboratory wall building session.

Introduction to Tunnelling: Methods of tunnelling and support. Design using rock classification systems such as Q and RMR. Prediction of subsidence. Modelling of discontinuity defined failures in roof and walls of underground excavations. Practical laboratory demonstrations of rock bolting will also be given.

Contaminated Ground: Concepts. Legislation & planning advice in the UK. Risk assessment for contaminated land and groundwater: Source-pathway-target framework.
Site & ground investigation and sampling/analysis, conceptual modelling, risk detection. Characteristics and sources of contaminated land and groundwater pollution, pollutant properties. Porous media transport, diffusion and dispersion and reactions. Governing equations including sources and sinks, adsorption and desorption. Mathematical models and concepts including retardation coefficients and the effect of organic matter, analytical and numerical
Modelling approaches. Covering systems, pump & treat technology, in-situ air-sparging.

Field Course (3 days): To the Isle of Wight, to inspect and map examples of land instability in the Ventnor Undercliff area (the largest urban landslide complex in Europe) and elsewhere. Geological controls on instability. Assessment of hazard and risk.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of how to manage ground engineering problems
• Apply and evaluate the techniques currently available for ground improvement and specify techniques for different site conditions.
• Critically evaluate design methods for the treatment and containment of waste and the types of problems which may arise in the development of difficult, derelict and contaminated land.
• Synthesise geotechnical and other data and apply it to the design of underground openings.

Indicative reading list

Ratan,T. Civil excavations and tunnelling– a practical guide, 2005.
Hemphill, G.B., Practical tunnel construction, 2012.
Maidl, B., Schmid, L., Ritz, W., Herrenknecht, M., Sturge, D.S., Hardrock Tunnel Boring Machnies, 2008.
Nathanail, P.C. Reclamation Of Contaminated Land, 2004.
Todd D.K., and Mays L.W., Groundwater hydrology, 2008.
Zheng C. and Bennett G.D, Applied Contaminant Transport Modeling, 2002.
Ward A.D., Trimble S.W., Burckhard S.R., Lyon J.G., Environmental Hydrology, 2015.

Subject specific skills

Ability to apply engineering techniques, taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints .
Ability both to apply appropriate engineering analysis methods for solving complex problems in engineering and to assess their limitations.

Transferable skills

Awareness that engineering activities should promote sustainable development and ability to apply quantitative techniques where appropriate