Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• Technologies used to install or construct geotechnical systems
• Techniques used to investigate and characterise the ground for design
• Soil behaviour relevant to ultimate and serviceability limit states
• Geotechincal design challenges in civil engineering
• Numerical and constitutive modelling methods used in geotechnical design

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Solving problems via idealisation and analysis
• Effective communication through written reports
• Application of critical analysis to engineering data
• Creativity and innovation in engineering design

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Assemble, critique and interpret site investigation data
• Review and interpret published work including field data and analysis techniques
• Develop analyses of geotechnical capacity and response, and optimise designs
• Devise and build numerical models of geotechnical systems using industry-standard finite element software

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Interpretation methods for site investigation data from in situ and laboratory tests to determine design parameters
• Techniques for devising and interpreting a numerical model to address a geotechnical design issue
• Analysis methods for geotechnical systems based on plasticity and elasticity, for the ultimate and serviceability limit states
• Knowledge of field testing and monitoring methods, and their interpretation

• Geotechnical design overview including use of design codes
• Soil mechanics: key concepts, revision and extension
• Site investigation techniques: in situ and laboratory testing, soil parameter determination
• Geotechnical systems: ultimate capacity and serviceability response
• Field monitoring techniques and interpretation of field data
• Numerical and constitutive modelling of soils
• Finite element software: principles and practical use

• Lectures, supported by example problems
• Workshop with industry involvement
• Design-based coursework with tutorials
• Private Study

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.