Geotechnics 3

Code School Level Credits Semesters
CIVE3049 Department of Civil Engineering 3 20 Full year China
Code
CIVE3049
School
Department of Civil Engineering
Level
3
Credits
20
Semesters
Full year China

Summary

This course (module) extends the relationships established in CIVE2005 to consider broader principles. Topics include:

(1) Steady state flow in porous media; 1-D and 2-D flow analysis techniques

(2) Compressibility: consolidation, immediate and secondary compression

(3) Ground improvement: surcharge pre-loading, vertical drains, vacuum pre-loading, groundwater lowering

(4) Sustainability: an introduction to the role of geotechnical engineering in delivering sustainability.

(5) Foundations – shallow bearing (stress distributions) and deep piled

(6) Retaining walls – embedded

(7) Reinforced Soil

(8) Introduction to Eurocodes

 

For students requiring reassessment, this will be limited to the components which have been failed and these will be in the same form as the original assessment.

Target Students

BEng Part II Civil Engineering students

Classes

Activities may take place every teaching week of the Semester or only in specified weeks. It is usually specified above if an activity only takes place in some weeks of a Semester

Assessment

Assessed in both autumn & spring semest

Educational Aims

To: (i) Develop an understanding of steady state seepage of groundwater through soil; (ii) Develop an understanding of compressibility, consolidation, and ground improvement techniques; (iii) Introduce concept of sustainability in geotechnical engineering; (iv) Introduce shallow and deep foundation and retaining wall design; (v) Introduce geotechnical Eurocodes

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course (module), students will be able to:

1. Analyse 1-D and 2-D water flow problems in the ground.

2. Compute the magnitude of compression settlements and the time rate of consolidation.

3. Determine soil parameters required for computing consolidation settlements.

4. Identify and analyse ground improvement methods used to reduce the magnitude of settlement and accelerate its rate.

5. Evaluate factors influencing the design of earth retaining structures.

6. Apply a range of techniques to solve problems relating to the design and analysis of foundations (shallow and deep) and earthworks.

7. Identify and explain the role of geotechnical engineering measures in achieving more sustainable construction.

 

This will contribute to the following programme learning outcomes (see Programme (Plan) Specifications for details):

- Knowledge and Understanding: M1, M2

- Intellectual Skills: M3, M5

- Professional/Practical Skills: M12, M13

Conveners

View in Curriculum Catalogue
Last updated 09/01/2025.