Geotechnical Engineering

Learning Outcomes

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 unreinforced and piled slopes; gravity, embedded and reinforced soil retaining walls; and simple foundations using total or effective stress analysis as appropriate.

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.
• The importance of pore water pressure.
• Geotechnical structures and how they are constructed.
• The difference between total and effective stress analysis.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Effective communication through written reports
• Time management
• Creativity and innovation in problem solving
• Engineering approach to 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.

Lectures 1-7. Gravity retaining walls:

• limit equilibrium calculations to determine active and passive forces by analysing the static equilibrium of an assumed sliding wedge failure mechanism
• 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.

Lectures 8-9. Reinforced soil walls:

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

Lectures 10-15. Embedded retaining 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
• construction techniques for embedded walls.

Lectures 16-18. Slope stability analysis:

• the infinite slope
• slip circle analysis in terms of both total and effective stresses
• hazard and risk in relation to slopes
• slope stabilisation using discrete piles.

Lectures 19-27. Slope stability and stabilisation coursework exercise (tutorial sessions held in the computer suite).

Lectures 28-33. Shallow foundations:

• revision of 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.

Lectures 34-36. 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.

Lectures 37-39. Revision.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, supported by example problems, and a coursework assignment supported by computer laboratory tutorials.

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Oasys Slope. Oasys FREW: Used for the summative coursework exercise. This is available on iSolutions machines and a licenced student version is provided for home use.

Assessment strategy

Repeat year method - External repeat as per referral method.

Formative

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

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.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External