Module Details

Module Code: CIVL8010
Title: Geotechnical Engineering
Long Title: Geotechnical Engineering
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( September 2019 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 5822 - Civil Engineering
Module Delivered in: 3 programme(s)
Module Description: The emphasis in this module is on the learning and development of methods of analysis and solution of soil stability problems. The relationship between structures and the supporting soil is examined and the interaction analysed, in particular in relation to settlement and bearing capacity, soil stability and structural support.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Analyse the stability of earth retaining structures and soil slopes
LO2 Choose appropriate solutions to soil stability problems
LO3 Derive solutions for problems of the settlement of soils
LO4 Select, complete and report on tests for soil strength and consolidation
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Lateral Earth Pressures
Rankine and Coulomb theories. Active and passive pressures and coefficients. Drained and undrained conditions for coarse and fine grained soils. Effect of surcharge, sloping ground surface, stratified soils and groundwater level.
Earth Retaining Structures
Retaining wall types and stability considerations. Permanent and temporary wall options. Case studies of failure events. Embedded wall design methods
Stability of Slopes
Shallow and deep-seated slope failures. Translational slides in drained and undrained slopes. Taylor's stability numbers. Methods of slices design approaches. Bishop and Morgenstern stability numbers. Contemporary computer software design packages
Compressibility and Consolidation
One-dimensional consolidation theory. Compression index, preconsolidation stress, coefficient of volume compressibility. Rate of consolidation. Coefficient of consolidation. Laboratory tests relevant to aspects of consolidation
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework35.00%
End of Module Formal Examination65.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 10
Timing Week 9 Learning Outcomes 1,2
Assessment Description
Class assessment OR computer software assessment
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 25
Timing Every Second Week Learning Outcomes 3,4
Assessment Description
Laboratory reports
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 65
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Delivery of module content Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Soils laboratory or site visit Every Third Week 1.00 3
Tutorial Contact Completion of problems to reinforce lecture material Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Revision of lecture material, preparation of laboratory and field reports Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 9.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Delivery of module content Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Soils laboratory or site visit Every Third Week 1.00 3
Tutorial Contact Completion of problems to reinforce lecture material Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Revision of lecture material, preparation of laboratory and field reports Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 9.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Braja M. Das and Khaled Sobhan. (2018), Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, 9th Ed.. Cengage, [ISBN: 9781305970953].
  • Braja M. Das and Nagaratnam Sivakugan. (2017), Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering, 5th Ed.. Cengage, [ISBN: 9781305638624].
  • G.E. Barnes. (2016), Soil Mechanics, 4th Ed.. Macmillan IHE, London, [ISBN: 9781137512208].
  • R Whitlow. (2000), Basic Soil Mechanics, 4th Ed.. Prentice Hall, [ISBN: 9780582381094].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Jonathan Knappett and R.F. Craig. (2012), Craig's Soil Mechanics, 8th Ed.. Taylor and Francis (CRC Press), London, [ISBN: 9780415561266].
  • David Muir Wood. (2009), Soil Mechanics - A One-Dimensional Introduction, 1st Ed.. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, [ISBN: 9780521741323].
  • Smith I. (2006), Smith's Elements of Soil Mechanics, 8th Edition. Blackwell, London, [ISBN: 1405133708].
  • Andrew Bond. (2008), Decoding Eurocode 7, 1st Ed.. Taylor and Francis (CRC Press), London, [ISBN: 9780415409483].
  • NSAI. (2009), I.S. EN 1997-1:2005 Geotechnical design. General rules, NSAI, [ISBN: 9780580671067].
  • NSAI. (2010), I.S. EN 1997-2:2007 Geotechnical design. Ground investigation and testing, NSAI, [ISBN: 9780580718724].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_CSTRU_8 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Structural Engineering 6 Mandatory
CR_CCEEE_9 Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering (Environment and Energy) 6 Mandatory
CR_CSTEN_9 Master of Engineering in Structural Engineering 6 Mandatory