Module Details

Module Code: ENGR C4502
Module Title: Geotechnical Engineering IV
Title: Geotechnical Engineering IV
Module Level:: 8
Credits:: 5
Module Coordinator: Eoin Homan
Module Author:: Brian Byrne
Domains:  
Module Description: (a) To be able to determine parameters from soil testing to characterize soil properties,
(b) soil strength and soil deformations,
(c) to be able to apply the principles of soil mechanics to analyze and design simple geotechnical systems;
(d) To develop the skills required to evaluate factual Geotechnical Engineering reports;
(e) To develop the skills required to assist in writing an interpretative Geotechnical engineering reports;
(f) To recognise when simple geotechnical analysis and design are insufficient to safely or cost effectively evaluate/design a project;
(g) To equip the student to operate as a Civil Engineer with a good understanding of Geotechnical Engineering;
(h) To equip the student with the skills and information necessary to undertake post-graduated study
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Assess the information contained in factual geotechnical reports including laboratory test results
LO2 Prepare well presented simple factual and interpretative geotechnical calculations and carry out simple geotechnical design and analysis
LO3 Assess ground conditions to evaluate SI requirements for field work, sampling and testing
LO4 Interpret ground investigation reports for design and analysis
LO5 Scope Site Investigation from Desk Study to Interpretative Report considering economic and stakeholder engagement issues, and relevant communication between relevant parties
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
6566 ENGR H3503 Geotechnical Engineering I
6801 ENGR H3504 Earthworks Analysis
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
Site Investigation
(a) Contents of GI report, (b) Determination of appropriate site investigation techniques, (c) Sample selection,in-situ testing,(d) laboratory testing on a site specific basis,
Groundwaterflow through soils
Flow through soils; (a) Permeability, (b) Head and head tests, (c) Flow nets, (d) Hydraulic gradient, (e) Uplift, seepage and piping forces (f) Filter design and geotextiles
Stresses, Strains and Elastic Deformation of Soils
(a) Stress-strain, (b) Stresses from surface loads, (c) Settlements,
One-dimensional consolidation settlement of fine-grained soils
Primary and secondary consolidation, (a) Drainage path, (b) Rate of consolidation, (c) Over-consolidation ratio (d) Field vs. laboratory consolidation (e) Surcharging (f) Use of vertical drains, (f) Derivation, use and understanding of Continuity and Effective Stress equations
Shear strength of Soils
(a) Undrained and drained shear strength, (b) Laboratory determination of shear strength using shear box, Triaxial (drained and undrained), (b) In-situ determination, (c) Introduction to Piezocone and pressure meter
Bearing capacity of soils and settlement of shallow foundations
(a) Collapse and failure loads - Ultimate and service loads, (b) Settlement, (c) In-situ testing (d) Design to EC 7, (e) Comparison of European vs other International Design Principles
Pile Foundations
(a) Piling - types, (b) Effects of installation, (c) Design parameters and pile design, (d) Pile settlement analysis, ULS vs SLS - Load capacity, (e) Testing and Specification; (f) Allowable settlement; (g) Negative skin friction, (H) Single piles vs. pile groups, (i) EC 7 vs other International Codes
Slope stability
(a) Types of slopes, (b) Types of failures, (c) Methods of analysis; (d) Computer analysis, (e) Probabilistic vs deterministic analysis (f) Slope remediation and stability
Soil stabilization/Re-engineering
(a) Lime,cement, pfa, stabilization on mineral soils and peat - chemical reactions within soil mass
Sustainability
Reuse of demolition material in road works, evaluation of excavated material as engineering material
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment10.00%
Project30.00%
Practical20.00%
End of Module Formal Examination40.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Case Studies % of Total Mark 10
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
In class eam
Project
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 30
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
n/a
Practical
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 20
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes  
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Field work and lab work practicals
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 40
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
End of term Exam
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture 12 Weeks per Stage 3.00 36
Estimated Learner Hours Non Contact Estimate Learner Hours 12 Weeks per Stage 8.00 96
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • British Standards Institution. (2015), Code of Practice for Site Investigations BS 5930, London.
  • British Standards Institution.. (1990), British Standard Methods of testing for Soils for Engineering Civil Purposes, BS 1377, London.
  • Department of Communities and Local Government. (1997), A designers Simple Guide to BS EN, January 200,London.
  • EN 1997– Eurocode 7. (1997), Part 1, Geotechnical Design – General Rules.
  • EN 1997– Eurocode 7. (1997), Part 2, Geotechnical investigation and testing.
  • EN 1990. Basis of structural design.
  • EN 1991. Eurocode 1 - Actions on structures.
  • Ian Smith. (2006), Smith's Elements of Soil Mechanics, Wiley-Blackwell, p.552, [ISBN: 978-1-4051-3370-8].
  • British Standards Institution. (2015), Code of Practice for Earth Retaining Structures, BS 8002, London.
  • British Standards Institution. (1999), Code of Practice for Ground Anchorages, BS 8081, London.
  • Muni Budhu. (2011), Soil Mechanics and Foundations, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, N.J., [ISBN: 978-0-471-43117-6].
  • Muni Budhu. (2008), Foundations and Earth Retaining Structures, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ, [ISBN: 978-0471-47012-0].
  • Construction Industry Research and Information Association. (1986), Control of Groundwater for Temporary Works, C515.
  • M. Preene... [et al.]. (2000), Groundwater Control, CIRIA, London, [ISBN: 0-860-175154].
  • R. F. Craig and J. Knappett. Craig's soil mechanics, London ; Spon Press, 2004., [ISBN: 0-203-494105].
  • T. William Lambe and Robert V. Whitman. Soil mechanics, New York, Wiley, 1969., [ISBN: 0-471-51192-7].
  • National Roads Authority. (2013), Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.
  • Engineers Ireland. (2016), Specification for Ground Investigation in Ireland.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources
Discussion Note: