| Unit name | Geomechanics |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CENG20018 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Diambra |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
Field Methods (CENG10005) or equivalent, and Engineering Mathematics 1 (EMAT10100) or equivalent |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
To enable students to gain a sound grasp of the fundamentals of soil material behaviour. To introduce students to some analytical methods for use in Geotechnical Engineering.
At the end of the unit the student will be able to:
1. Explain the nature of stress and pore water pressure in soils
2. Apply the definitions of soil phase relationships and soil properties to basic geotechnical calculations
3. Explain and be able to apply the basic principles of one-dimensional stiffness and groundwater seepage
4. Draw, interpret and use Mohr's circle of stress and stress paths
5. Explain the concept of drained and undrained shear strength and the implications for typical geotechnical design problems.
6. Appreciate geotechnical laboratory investigations and the interpretation of results with an appreciation of parameter uncertainties in a geotechnical design case study.
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, which may include lectures, practical activities supported by drop-in sessions, problem sheets and self-directed exercises.
Short coursework assignment (1 week) 100%
Muir Wood D. "Soil mechanics: a one-dimensional introduction". CUP, 2009
Craig RF. "Soil Mechanics". 8th Ed. E & FN Spon, 2012
Scott CR. "An Introduction to Soil Mechanics and Foundations". Applied Science, 1980
Powrie W. “Soil Mechanics, concepts and applications” 2nd Edition, Spon, 2014
