ENG06023 2012 Soil Mechanics and Geology 202

Identify and classify soils and rocks and calculate their phase relations. Describe how rock and rock structures are formed and weathered.

Compute coefficients of permeability from standard laboratory tests and compute critical hydraulic gradients.

Calculate total stress, effective stress and porewater pressure and evaluate the shear strength parameters of the soil in drained and undrained conditions. Calculate lateral earth pressures.

Estimate one-dimensional settlements in soils.

Use standard laboratory equipment and perform as a team member in the execution, compilation, analysis and interpretation of laboratory experiments

Compile and report, in both written and oral form, using word and excel, the results and conclusions of laboratory work

1. 1 hour MCQ exam mid-semester

2. 2 hour written final exam

3. Laboratory practical copy and oral presentation

SOIL MECHANICS

1. Phase relationships, Atterberg Limits, Classification, Compaction
2. Permeability, falling & constant head, flownets, filters, Critical hydraulic gradient, piping. Field measurement of permeability, water in excavations
3. Effective stress, pore pressure
4. Shear strength, drained, undrained, shear box, introduction to triaxial, lab and field vane
5. Consolidation, Terzaghi’s one dimensional consolidation, Oedometer testing, settlement calculations
6. Lateral earth pressures, active, passive and at rest

GEOLOGY

1. Introduction: Composition of earth. Formation and classification of rocks. Identification of rocks
2. Weathering processes and weathered rocks
3. Main rock types: Engineering behaviour of main rock types.
4. Geological structures: Folds. Faults. Joints
5. Site Investigations: Boreholes. Geophysical surveys

INDICATIVE PRACTICALS

1. Atterbery limits
2. Wet & dry sieving
3. Standard and heavy compaction, CBR
4. Sand replacement test
5. Constant head permeability
6. Shear box clay
7. Triaxial, UU
8. Oedometer
9. Rock identification and classification