Module Details

Module Code: CIVL9001
Title: Adv Geotech and Foundation Eng
Long Title: Adv Geotech and Foundation Eng
NFQ Level: Expert
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( September 2019 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 5822 - Civil Engineering
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module is designed to blend relevant specialist technical and computational skills, in order to develop in the graduate a clear and comprehensive understanding of the process to design and deliver effective and efficient solutions to geotechnical and foundation problems associated with engineering construction projects
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Specify appropriate site investigations for foundation design and related geotechnical purposes, integrating laboratory test data and soil characterisation information
LO2 Interpret and evaluate data to propose and compose suitable ground models
LO3 Propose and evaluate conceptual design solutions to geotechnical problems
LO4 Critially analyse geotechnical problems and specify detailed design solutions
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
Soil Characterisation
Key geotechnical parameters and characteristics, failure criteria. Integrated site investigation, geotechnical data interpretation. Soil classification. Geotechnical risks. Advanced laboratory and field testing. Analytical methods. Shear strength and stiffness measurement
Basement and Foundation Design
Fundamentals of soil-structure interaction. Analysis methods for bearing capacity, settlement and ground movement. Project design requirements, geotechnical and structural considerations. Design standards and codes (EC7). Design parameters and design assumptions. Conceptual design and detail design. Reuse of foundations
Geotechnical Processes
Soil behaviour. Compaction technology, placement processes. Design standards. Material limitations. Monitoring and control procedures. Soil stabilisation and special soil features. Dewatering
Geotechnical Design Software and Numerical Analysis
Geotechnical analysis, geotechnical considerations. Computer software applications. Finite element and discrete element approaches. Soil-structure interaction, geotechnical restrictions, geoenvironmental aspects (seepage, contaminant transport, slope stability, etc).
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 35
Timing Week 5 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Preliminary assessment and design project
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 65
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 2,4
Assessment Description
Analysis and design project
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

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
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent revision of module content and further directed learning Every Week 4.00 4
Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) Contact Supervised learning Every Week 1.00 1
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
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
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent revision of module content and further directed learning Every Week 4.00 4
Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) Contact Supervised learning Every Week 1.00 1
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Braja M. Das and Nagaratnam Sivakugan. (2019), Principles of Foundation Engineering, 9th Ed.. Cengage, [ISBN: 9781337705035].
  • M. J. Tomlinson. (2001), Foundation Design and Construction, 7th Ed.. Pearson, London, [ISBN: 9780130311801].
  • MJ Tomlinson and J Woodward. (2014), Pile Design and Construction Practice, 6th. Taylor and Francis (CRC Press), London, [ISBN: 9781466592636].
  • Braja M. Das and Khaled Sobhan. (2018), Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, 9th Ed.. Cengage, [ISBN: 9781305970953].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Federation of Piling Specialists (in association with BGA and ICE). (2007), ICE Specifications for Piling and Embedded Retaining Walls, 2nd. Thomas Telford, London, [ISBN: 9780727733580].
  • Ruwan Rajapakse. (2015), Geotechnical Engineering Calculations and Rules of Thumb, 2nd Ed.. Butterworth-Heinemann, [ISBN: 9780128046982].
  • Ruwan Rajapakse. (2016), Pile Design and Construction Rules of Thumb, 2nd Ed.. Butterworth-Heinemann, [ISBN: 9780128042021].
  • Saeed Moaveni. (2015), Finite Element Analysis Theory and Application with ANSYS, 4th Ed.. Pearson, [ISBN: 978013384083].
  • David Muir Wood. (2004), Geotechnical Modelling (Applied Geotechnics), 1st Ed.. Spon Press, New York, [ISBN: 9780419237303].
  • R Jardine, F Chow, R Overy, J Standing. (2005), ICP Design Methods for Driven Piles in Sands and Clays, Thomas Telford, London, [ISBN: 9780727732729].
  • Andrew Bond. (2008), Decoding Eurocode 7, 1st Ed.. Taylor and Francis (CRC Press), London, [ISBN: 9780415409483].
  • David Muir Wood. (1991), Soil Behaviour and Critical State Soil Mechanics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, [ISBN: 9780521337823].
  • Petros Xanthakos. (1995), Bridge Substructure and Foundation Design, Prentice Hall, New York, [ISBN: 9780133006179].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
  • Journal, Institution of Civil Engineers. Proceedings of the ICE - Geotechnical Engineering, ISSN:1353-2618, E-ISSN: 1751-8563.
  • Journal, Institution of Civil Engineers. Géotechnique, ISSN:0016-8505, E-ISSN: 1751-7656.
  • Journal, American Society of Civil Engineers. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ISSN:1090-0241, E-ISSN: 1943-5606.
  • Journal, National Research Council (Canada). Canadian Geotechnical Journal, ISSN:1208-6010.
  • Journal, Institution of Civil Engineers. Proceedings of the ICE - Ground Improvement, ISSN:1755-0750, E-ISSN: 1755-0769.
  • Eurocode, NSAI. EN 1997-1:2004 Geotechnical design. General rules, Dublin.
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_CSTEN_9 Master of Engineering in Structural Engineering 9 Mandatory