The Department of Civil Engineering

Soil Mechanics

General Information
Schedule:
Location: V409A
Instructor:
Email:

Course Description
This course combines soil theory, field practice and lab procedures. The student will learn the origin and nature
of soils, soil classifications, sampling, soil properties, strength characteristics, soil water relationships,
settlement and consolidation concepts, lateral earth pressure concepts, subsurface stresses.

Prerequisites: Fluid Mechanics

Textbook: Das, B. M., Sobhan, K., Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, 9th Edition, Cengage,
2018, ISBN-10: 1-305-97093-4, ISBN-13: 978-1-305-97093-9

Laboratory Manual: Das, B.M., Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual, Oxford University Press, 9th Edition.

Program Outcomes:
Upon graduation, each student is expected to demonstrate the following:
1. An ability to conduct standard tests and measurements, and to conduct, analyze, and interpret
experiments (Criterion 3.c)
2. An ability to function effectively as a member of a technical team (Criterion 3.d and Gen Ed)
3. Conducting standardized field and laboratory testing on civil engineering materials (Criterion 9.b)

Student Evaluation:
Lab Reports 35% of final grade
Midterm Examination 25% of final grade
Final Exam 25% of final grade
Project* 10% of final grade
Assignments / Quizzes 5% of final grade
Final Grade = 100%

*The project may involve an oral presentation and a written assignment.

I. Topics of Importance

Soil Composition, Identification/Classification, Field Sampling/ Tests, Strength, Soil/Water Relationships, Code
Requirements, Foundation Types, Slope Stability, Soil Improvement, Settlement/ Consolidation, Laboratory
Experiments.

II. Policies

A. Lab Reports

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 · All reports should include the appropriate sections and items discussed in the handout
“Introduction to Soil Mechanics Laboratory”. If sections of your report are missing, you will get
no points for the missing portion.
· All reports must be typed. Reports must be neat and professionally written.
· Reports must represent your own original work. Copying of any portion of a report will result in
a grade of zero (0) in accordance to the Academic Integrity Policy for all parties involved.
· Data sheets may not be photocopied without my prior approval.
· Please make sure you have researched your discussion by referencing your text, lab manual
and/or other references. Note that the discussion is the most important part of your report; it
demonstrates your level of comprehension of the subject.
· Remember to review your work after you write it and correct any obvious mistakes or grammar
errors. Use Spell Check.
· All laboratory reports will be submitted in blackboard according to the criteria outline in the
“Introduction to Soil Mechanics Laboratory” and a hard copy will be handed out to the
instructor.
B. Examinations
· Examinations (Quizzes, Presentations and Tests) are at the start of class; be on-time.
· The final exam will be a uniform final exam and will be administered on the last day of finals
(uniform finals) per the registrar’s official schedule.
· All examinations/quizzes are closed book. A formula sheet may be provided in the examination
with relevant formulas.
· Only NCEES approved calculators will be accepted for use during an examination (no
cellphones):
o Casio: All fx-115 and fx-991 models (Any Casio calculator must have “fx-115” or “fx-991” in its
model name.)
o Hewlett Packard: The HP 33s and HP 35s models, but no others
o Texas Instruments: All TI-30X and TI-36X models (Any Texas Instruments calculator must have
“TI-30X” or “TI-36X” in its model name.)
C. Assignments and Projects
· Homework/projects must be done on 8 ½” × 11” engineering calculation paper, in a manner
consistent with professional calculation in practice.
· Please save a copy of your homework/project/laboratory report before submitting it to the
instructor, since it may not be always possible for the instructor to return the corrected work
back in time for you to study for examinations.
D. Attendance
· Be on time. If you arrive late and the lab has already started you will be penalized on your lab
report at the instructor’s discretion.
· Students arriving after the beginning of class will be marked late. (two lates = one absence).
· If you are absent for a Lab, you will not be able to make it up. You may not get the lab
data from another member of the class. A missed lab will result in a zero grade for the report.
· Make up exams and quizzes will not be given unless the student has an extraordinary valid
reason and provides adequate evidence (emergency, illness) and contacts me, the instructor,
by email the day of the exam. It will be up to the instructor to decide if the absence was due to
an extraordinary situation. If you do not contact me, no makeup will be given and you will
receive a Grade of ZERO (0) for the missed Exam.

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 E. Late Submission Policy
· Late policy - All work such as reports, homework and projects are due at the
beginning of class on the due date. Late work will will not be accepted.
F. Blackboard - All class handouts and announcements will be posted in blackboard. It is your
responsibility to check and download handouts before class. Hardcopies will not be distributed.
G. Phones
· All phone and audio devices must be silenced and put away during class. No answering calls or
texts in class.
· Students using phones or audio devices during class will be asked to leave the room.
· No use of phones or electronic devices except calculator during examinations (quiz or test).
H. Communication
· Make sure that you periodically check your NYCCT email. Communication from the instructor
will be sent only to this address.
· All email to the Professor must include CMCE 2456 – [Email Subject] in the subject line and be
professional. Do not expect me to respond to emails that do not follow this rule.
· All communication including emails must be written in a professional matter.
· Include your full name as a signature.
I. General Policies
· Students will be notified by the instructor of any modifications or deviations from the syllabus
and/or schedule throughout the semester.
· Always bring your textbooks, a calculator and writing paper to class.
· All material handed out or discussed in class will be part of course material and students will be
responsible for studying them in addition to the prescribed sections of the textbook.
· Professional presentation will be part of all grading.
· No recording devices shall be used during class or examinations. This includes photographs,
video recordings and audio recordings.
· The instructor may photocopy and save your assignments and tests, as part of the effort
necessary to renew accreditation of our programs.
J. Grade Scale

III. Course Outline:

Day Schedule* Topic Reading

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 Introduction; Origin of Soil, Particle Size and
30-Jan Lecture Ch. 2 & Ch. 3
Weight-Volume Relationships
1-Feb Lecture Atterberg Limits. USCS classification. Ch. 4 & Ch. 5
Handout/Lab
6-Feb Laboratory 1 Lab. Introduction – Lab. Sieve Analysis
Manual
8-Feb Lecture Soil Classification Ch. 5
13-Feb Laboratory 2 Lab. Hydrometer Lab Manual
Subsurface Exploration and Geotechnical
15-Feb Lecture Ch. 17
Investigation
20-Feb No Class (Monday Schedule)
22-Feb Lecture Compaction Ch. 6
27-Feb Laboratory 3 Lab. Moisture Content Lab Manual
1-Mar Lecture Hydraulic Conductivity / Two-Dimensional Flow** Ch. 7 & Ch. 8
6-Mar Laboratory 4 Lab. Atterberg Limits Lab Manual
8-Mar Lecture No class – make up for it
13-Mar Laboratory 5 Lab. Hydraulic Conductivity Lab Manual
15-Mar Lecture Subsurface Stresses Ch. 9; Ch. 10
20-Mar Laboratory 6 Lab. Proctor Compaction Lab Manual
22-Mar Exam Midterm EXAM
27-Mar Lecture Stresses in a Soil Mass and Mohr’s Circle Ch. 10.1 to 10.3
Subsurface Stresses II and Introduction to Ch. 10.4 to 10.16 &
29-Mar Lecture
Foundations (stresses under a foundation) ** Handout
4/3,4/5 No Class Spring Recess
10-Apr Lecture Stresses in a Soil Mass and Mohr’s Circle Ch. 10
12-Apr Lecture Settlement and Consolidation Ch. 11
17-Apr Laboratory 7 - 1 Lab. Direct Shear and Unconfined Compression Lab Manual
19-Apr Lecture Shear Strength Ch. 12 & Handout
24-Apr Laboratory 7 - 2 Lab. Direct Shear and Unconfined Compression Lab Manual
26-Apr Lecture Shear Strength Tests and Insitu Testing Ch. 12 & Handout
1-May Laboratory 8 (a) Lab. One dimensional Consolidation Lab Manual
3-May Lecture Slope Stability Ch. 15
Lab. Consolidation (Data Reduction) / Handout, Ch. 10.1
8-May Laboratory 8 (b)
to 10.3
10-May Lecture Slope Stability Ch. 15
15-May Lecture Slope Stability / Final Review**
24-May Uniform Final Exam
* Tentative schedule subject to change
** If time allows

Academic Integrity Policy

Students an all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other
intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and
citing sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its
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responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering
models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic
 Tear Along Dotted Line

Student Data
Name: _____________________________________________

Is there a name or nickname that you prefer to be called?

_____________________________________

What is your major? □ Construction Management □ Civil Engineering Technology

Are you currently working? □ Full-time □ Part-time □ Not working

What do you plan to do after graduating? □ Work □ Continue Education (Bachelors)

Are you involved in any extracurricular activities? (Please list)

___________________________________________________

What stuff, Good or Bad, have you heard about this Course, or your Professor?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Course Agreement

I fully understand the Course Syllabus. The Instructor has reviewed the Course Syllabus
and schedule in class, and I agree to adhere to the aforementioned policies, to the best
of my ability, and deem the method of grading acceptable.

I am available to participate in make-up classes on _________________, if necessary.

__________________________________________________ _______________

Student Signature Date