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Lecture I
CE4015: Soil Mechanics
Syllabus
Here is your agreed list from
Tuesdays studio session
(6/9/11)
1. ULS - Bearing capacity
2. Settlement/ consolidation
3. Types of Foundations
4. Drainage, SI, Flooding, Piping
& Boiling
Are we all happy with
this list?
1. Any additions?
2. Any removals?
3. Do we need to reserve judgment?
1. If not why?
2. If so why?
4. Where should we start ?
Teaching Philosophy:
How would you like to learn?
1 2
42%
58%
1. Traditional lecture
2. By taking control of
your own learning
Taking Control requires you to do some
teaching are you prepared to do this?
1 2 3
47%
37%
16%
1. Yes
2. No
3. We need more
information before
we decide
2
So are you ready for a different and
empowering learning experience?
1 2
65%
35%
1. Yes
2. No
Guideline Grading*
Project 40%
#
2 Online Quizzes 10%
Pop Quizzes 10%
Exam 35%
Peer Assessment 5%
* This grading is subject to minor change. It is provided
here as a guide to the spirit of the course.
# The detail breakdown of project marks will be finalised
after this class discussion and posted on SULIS as an
updated version of this presentation
Guideline Grading
Repeat Examination
CA * 40% x (Semester 5 grade)
Exam 60%
* Note there is no repeat mechanism for CA. Your
semester 5 grade will carry and will be weighted
by 0.4 the repeat exam accounts for the
remainder
Course Textbook
Core text for all UL
geotechnical modules
CD with Quizzes, Analysis &
Design Spreadsheets
Numerous worked examples
Useful reference for practice
Cost 59.99 in OMahonys
Some copies in Library
Some case histories to research
Bearing Capacity
Transcona and Fargo Grain Elevator failures
( F&C p89)
Fargo Grain Elevator Collapse
Settlement
Tower of Pisa, Burland 2004
Reference details will be provided later.
This is a GREEN module
Any notes, projects, quizzes
announcements etc will be posted on
SULIS
Submission of course work, quizzes etc
must be submitted via SULIS on the
agreed dates
E-mail submissions are not acceptable!
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Additional References
Sleeman, A., McConnell, B., and Gately, S.
(2004). Understanding Earth Processes,
Rocks and the Geological History of Ireland,
Geological Survey of Ireland, ISBN 1-
899702-50-4.
BRE Digest 383, Site Investigation for Low-
Rise: Soil Description, June 1993.
BRE IS 1, A simple guide to in-situ ground
testing Part 1: What it is and why do it,
October 2003.
Additional references contd
British Standards Institution (1981). Code of
Practice for Site Investigations, BS 5930: 1981,
BSI, London, England.
British Standards Institution (1990). Methods of
test for soils for Civil Engineering Purposes, BS
1377: 1990 Pt 1 9, BSI, London, England.
Budhu, M. (2000). Soil Mechanics and
Foundations, Wiley, USA.
Head, K. H. (1997). Manual of Soil Laboratory
Testing, Vol. 3: Soil Laboratory Testing, Second
Ed., Pentech Press, London.