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  6. EG30H1: Geotechnics 1B

EG30H1: GEOTECHNICS 1B (2023-2024)

Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 10:43


Course Overview

This course introduces Engineering students to the fundamental concepts involved in geotechnics and builds up from Geotechnics 1A and continues with the fundamental soil mechanics.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Term First Term Credit Points 7.5 credits (3.75 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Professor Ana Ivanovic

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Undergraduate Programme
  • Engineering (EG)
  • Programme Level 3
  • EG25H5 Engineering Geology (Passed)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The main part of the course is devoted to a study of the engineering behaviour of soils. This commences with the origin of soil through the introduction to soil classification and a description of the phase composition of soils. Consolidation, shear strength and critical states of soils are also covered. 

The content of the course is formed of four sections: 

  1. Relative density. Proctor test. Field compaction and measurement.
  2. Ground Water: Subsurface water. Total and effective stresses, pore water pressure. Confined and unconfined flow.
  3. The oedometer test. The compression and expansion index. Consolidation. 1-D consolidation settlement. Degree of consolidation. Terzaghi’s Theory of 1D consolidation. The log time (Casagrande’s method) and root time method (Taylor’s method).
  4. Shear Strength of Soils: Internal friction. Cohesion. Coulomb's Law. Mohr circle of stress. Conditions of failure. Triaxial tests. Direct shear test. Shear strength of normally consolidated and over consolidated sands and clays. Introduction to the critical state of soils.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 90
Assessment Weeks 40 Feedback Weeks 42

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Feedback

Release of worked solutions and annotated submission for individual students. An in-person feedback opportunity will be available.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseDevise modifications to existing geotechnical testing equipment to capture data relevant to study
ConceptualAnalyseTo be able to solve problems of some complexity or with some degree of novelty in geotechnics
ConceptualApplyGained transferable skills in order to demonstrate improved problem-solving skills, demonstrate improved experimental skills and demonstrate improved skills in the keeping of a laboratory logbook
ConceptualUnderstandGroundwater/concept of effective stresses in soils Basis of equations/charts used for solving geotechnical problems Immediate/consolidation settlement in soils Shear strength/critical state for soils

Lab Report: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 10
Assessment Weeks 32 Feedback Weeks 33

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Feedback

A report is to be submitted as part of this course - max 15 pages which can include photos/graphs etc.

Practical work and problem solving relating to the numerical solution of the heat equation using Matlab. 

Release of worked solutions and annotated submissions for individual students. An in person feedback opportunity will be available.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseDevise modifications to existing geotechnical testing equipment to capture data relevant to study
ConceptualAnalyseTo be able to solve problems of some complexity or with some degree of novelty in geotechnics
ConceptualApplyGained transferable skills in order to demonstrate improved problem-solving skills, demonstrate improved experimental skills and demonstrate improved skills in the keeping of a laboratory logbook

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Resubmission of failed element

Assessment Type Summative Weighting
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Retake/resubmit failed element(s) of summative assessment with grade for passed element(s) carried forward from 1st attempt.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandGroundwater/concept of effective stresses in soils Basis of equations/charts used for solving geotechnical problems Immediate/consolidation settlement in soils Shear strength/critical state for soils
ConceptualAnalyseTo be able to solve problems of some complexity or with some degree of novelty in geotechnics
ConceptualAnalyseDevise modifications to existing geotechnical testing equipment to capture data relevant to study
ConceptualApplyGained transferable skills in order to demonstrate improved problem-solving skills, demonstrate improved experimental skills and demonstrate improved skills in the keeping of a laboratory logbook
 

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