Geotechnical Engineering

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The theoretical scientific basis of traditional limit-based design calculations.
• Geotechnical structures and how they are constructed.
• The importance of pore water pressure.
• The difference between total and effective stress analysis.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Calculate lateral and shear stresses on retaining walls and foundations.
• Apply factors of safety and standard empirical modifications to the basic limit-state calculations to meet the demands of real situations.
• Investigate quantitatively the stability of earth slopes; gravity, embedded and reinforced soil retaining walls; and simple foundations using total or effective stress analysis as appropriate.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Communicate Effectively through written reports
• Apply Creativity and innovation in problem solving
• Manage your time effectively
• Apply an Engineering approach to the solution of problems

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Use engineering IT tools to aid in the analysis and design of embedded retaining structures.

Gravity retaining walls:

• limit equilibrium calculations to determine active and passive forces
• assessment of wall stability against sliding, overturning and base bearing failure
• short and long term conditions (total and effective stress analyses)
• application of factors of safety for use in design.

Reinforced soil walls:

• limit equilibrium calculations to determine reinforcement length and spacing
• assessment of reinforced wall stability.

Embedded retaining walls:

• construction techniques for embedded walls
• pore pressure distributions
• equilibrium analysis based on limiting (active and passive) lateral stresses
• short and long term calculations (total and effective stress analyses)
• calculation of propping forces
• application of factors of safety for use in design

Shallow foundations:

• general analysis bearing capacity
• effects of foundation shape and depth
• shallow foundations subjected to combined vertical, horizontal and moment loading
• short and long term calculations (total and effective stress analyses)
• application of factors of safety for use in design.

Deep (pile) foundations:

• skin friction and end bearing
• pile groups
• lateral loads on piles
• short and long term calculations (total and effective stress analyses)
• application of factors of safety for use in design.

Slope stability analysis:

• the infinite slope
• slip circle analysis in terms of both total and effective stresses
• hazard and risk in relation to slopes
• application of factors of safety for use in design.

Revision.

Tutorials, supported by recorded lectures and example problems, and a coursework assignment supported by computer laboratory tutorials.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Problem Sheets

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback: Feedback on progress is via attendance at timetabled tutorials in which the solutions are worked through; self-assessment with reference to the published worked solutions; and individual oral feedback and advice as requested.
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.