Department of Civil Engineering University of Nottingham

Geotechnics 1 (H21G11) Spring Semester 2009

Lecturer

Dr D Wanatowski

Summary

Lecturer Module structure Time and venue Module objectives Learning outcomes Reading list Additional references Syllabus Timetable Coursework submission

Lecturer
Dr Dariusz Wanatowski Office: Room B61, Coates Building Phone: 0115 95 13889 Email: dariusz.wanatowski@nottingham.ac.uk

Module structure

Lectures (handouts will be given) o Example problems o Laboratory sessions Coursework assignments (30%) o Lab report 1 Soil description (6%) o Lab report 2 Permeability (6%) o Lab report 3 Index Testing (8%) o Example problems The Mohr Circle (10%) 2 hour examination (70%)

Time and venue

Wednesday Friday 10:00 12:00 (2 hours) 15:00 17:00 (2 hours) Pope C18 Chem X2

Note. Laboratory sessions will be held in Geotechnical Lab L2

Module objective

To introduce the fundamental principles of geotechnics - principally those concerning effective stress, permeability, plasticity and compaction; To enable students to describe geotechnical materials; To give students experience in an individual study approach to learning and problem solving
Geotechnics 1 - 2009

Summary - Page 1

Learning outcomes
1) Knowledge and understanding of:

mathematical methods appropriate to geotechnical engineering; scientific concepts, principles and theories appropriate to geotechnical engineering; principles of design applied to conceptual and detailed design in geotechnical engineering. select and apply mathematical methods in analysing and solving problems appropriate to geotechnical engineering select and apply scientific and engineering principles to analyse and solve problems in geotechnical engineering design and evaluate systems, processes and components in geotechnical engineering to satisfy a need be creative in the planning, execution and reporting of investigations requiring the application of geotechnical engineering knowledge and understanding. apply mathematical, scientific and engineering methods to analyse geotechnical problems and experiments carry out risk assessment and use technical equipment safely in laboratory work generate and process experimental data including an evaluation of the results and their validity. apply mathematical, scientific and engineering techniques in the solution of geotechnical problems; find, sort, manipulate, interpret and present experimental data in a variety of ways; use creativity, innovation and critical judgment in solving problems with limited or contradictory information and transfer the solutions as appropriate; manage time and resources in personal plans and work to deadlines; work independently and in teams to obtain experimental data in the laboratory.

2) Intellectual skills to:

3) Practical skills to:

4) Transferable skills to:

Reading list

Holtz, R.D. and Kovacs, W.D. 1981. An introduction to geotechnical engineering. PrenticeHall, New Jersey. Craig, R. F. 2004. Craigs soil mechanics. 7th edition. Spon Press, New York.

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Geotechnics 1 - 2009

Additional references
In addition to the references given in the reading list (above), the preparation of the lecture notes has benefited from the following references:

Atkinson, J. 1985. An introduction to the mechanics of soils and foundations. McGraw Hill. Bolton, M. 1979. A guide to soil mechanics. MacMillan, London. Coduto, D.P. 1999. Geotechnical engineering. Principles and practices. Prentice Hall, New Jersey. Das B.M. 2004. Principles of geotechnical engineering. 5th edition. Brooks/Cole, Pacific Grove California. Lambe T.W. and Whitman R.V. 1969. Soil mechanics. John Wiley & Sons, London. Powrie, W. 2004. Soil mechanics. Concepts and applications. 2nd ed. Spon Press, 2004 Terzaghi K., Peck R.B. and Mesri G. 1996. Soil mechanics in engineering practice. 3rd edition. John Wiley & Sons, New York.

Syllabus
This module provides an introduction to the core areas of Geotechnics. It covers the following topics: 1. Origin and types of soil 2. Soil description and classification Particle sizing BSCS (lab session Index testing (lab session) 3. Water in soils Basic groundwater hydrology Head and pore water pressure Darcys law and permeability (coursework assignment) 4. Soil as a 3-phase material (phase relationships) 5. Basic soil mechanics stresses and strains analysis of stress, analysis of strain the Mohr circle stress-strain behaviour stiffness and strength 6. Total and effective stresses 7. Compaction 8. Ground investigation drilling and sampling exploratory trenches and pits in-situ testing ground investigation reports

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Geotechnics 1 - 2009

Timetable
Week

1 (19) 2 (20) 3 (21) 4 (22) 5 (23) 6 (24) 7 (25) 8 (26)

Date Wednesday 28 Jan 09

Friday 30 Jan 09 Wednesday 04 Feb 09 Friday 06 Feb 09 Wednesday 11 Feb 09 Friday 13 Feb 09 Wednesday 18 Feb 09 Friday 20 Feb 09 Wednesday 25 Feb 09 Friday 27 Feb 09 Wednesday 04 Mar 09 Friday 06 Mar 09 Wednesday 11 Mar 09 Friday 13 Mar 09 Wednesday 18 Mar 09 Friday 20 Mar 09 Wednesday 22 Apr 09 Friday 24 Apr 09 Wednesday 29 Apr 09 Friday 01 May 09

Time
10:00 15:00 10:00 15:00 10:00 15:00 10:00 15:00 10:00 15:00 10:00 15:00 10:00 15:00 10:00 15:00

Place
Pope C-18 Chem X2 L2130 Chem X2 L2130 Chem X2 Pope C-18 Chem X2 L2130 Chem X2 L2130 Chem X2 L2130 Chem X2 L2130 Chem X2 Pope C-18 Chem X2 Pope C-18 Chem X2

Format
Lecture Lecture Laboratory session Lecture Laboratory session Lecture Lecture Lecture Laboratory session Lecture Laboratory session Lecture Laboratory session Lecture Laboratory session Lecture

Subject matter Introduction Lecture 1. Origin and types of soil

Lecture 2. Soil description and classification Lab. 1 Soil description (Groups A, B)* Lecture 3. Water in soils Lab. 1 Soil description (Groups C, D)* Lecture 4. Soil phase relationships Lecture 5. Index testing Lecture 6. Basic soil mechanics Lab. 2 Index testing (Group A)* Lecture 7. Total and effective stresses Lab. 2 Index testing (Group B)* Lecture 8. Compaction Lab. 2 Index testing (Group C)* Lecture 9. Ground investigation (part 1) Lab. 2 Index testing (Group D)* Lecture 10. Ground investigation (part 2)

EASTER VACATION (23 Mar 19 Apr 09)

9 (31) 10 (32)

10:00 15:00 10:00 15:00

Lecture Lecture Lecture Lecture

Revision 1 Revision 2 (if necessary)

If necessary If necessary

*If you wish to change, please find someone to swap with and let me know before the lab session.

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Geotechnics 1 - 2009

Coursework requirement
Week 2 3 3-4 5 6 7 8 9 Assignment Soil description (lab) Soil description (lab) Permeability Index testing (lab) Index testing (lab) Index testing (lab) Index testing (lab) Example problems (soil mechanics) Group A, B C, D All groups A B C D All groups Hand-in due 6th February 13th February 20th February 27th February 6th March 13th March 20th March 20th April Marked by 27th February 27th February 6th March 22nd April 22nd April 22nd April 22nd April 29th April Mark (%) 6 6 6 8 8 8 8 10

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Geotechnics 1 - 2009