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ES3G4-15 Geotechnical Engineering II

Department
School of Engineering
Level
Undergraduate Level 2
Module leader
Xueyu Geng
Credit value
15
Module duration
24 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
Introductory description

ES3G4-15 - Geotechnical Engineering II

Module web page

Module aims

This module will introduce students to the analyses used in the design of gravity, embedded and reinforced soil retaining walls, simple shallow and deep foundations, the assessment of slope stability and slope stabilisation schemes. It will build on the basic concepts of soil mechanics introduced in Geotechnical Engineering I.

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.

Bearing capacity of shallow and deep footings
Settlement of structures
Tolerance limits of settlement
Lateral pressures on retaining structures
Design of anchors and anchorages
Stability of earth-retaining structures; Reinforced soil
Classification & Analysis of Slope Instability in Soil and Rock
Stability of earth dams including end-of-construction, long term and sudden draw down conditions
Slope Stabilisation Techniques
Site investigation: Sampling and in-situ testing of rocks and soils
Geotechnical instrumentation

Learning outcomes

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

  • Apply the techniques currently available for problem ground improvement.
  • Synthesise geotechnical and other data and apply it to the design situations.
  • Investigate quantitatively the stability of unreinforced and piled slopes; gravity, embedded and reinforced soil retaining walls; and simple foundations
  • Critically assess the importance of pore water pressures and assess the impact of changes in pore water pressure on the stability of geotechnical structures.
  • Apply factors of safety and standard empirical modifications to the basic limit-state calculations to meet the demands of real situations.
Indicative reading list

"Decoding Eurocode 7", Bond, A. , 2008
"Foundation Design and Construction", Tomlinson, M.J, 2001
"Geology for Engineers", Blythe, F.G.H. , 1986
"Soil Mechanics [electronic resource]", Craig, R.F, 2012
"Soil Mechanics: Concepts and Applications", Powrie, W, 2004

Subject specific skills

Lectures, example classes, field course.

Transferable skills

No transferable skills defined for this module.

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 20 sessions of 1 hour (13%)
Other activity 12 hours (8%)
Private study 118 hours (79%)
Total 150 hours
Private study description

118 hours of guided independent learning (including VLE use and support from Employer)

Other activity description

2 hours of revision classes
6 hours of example classes
4 hours of site visit

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A
Weighting Study time
Written report 100%

Written report on a foundation (or similar) design exercise (20 pages max length)

Feedback on assessment

Examples solutions during tutorial/lectures
Individual feedback on final submission
Cohort-level feedback on final submission

Pre-requisites

To take this module, you must have passed:

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 4 of DESA-H221 Undergraduate Civil and Infrastructure Engineering (Non-integrated Degree Apprenticeship)