| CODE | CVE3621 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Geotechnical Engineering 1 | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Civil and Structural Engineering | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The first part of this study-unit introduces the basic concepts of granular behaviour in soils including grading, void ratio, and moisture content. It further builds upon the concepts of effective stress, and failure criteria of soils introduced in CVE2621. The students will be introduced to the concept, significance and measurement methods of the permeability of soils. Basic seepage analysis assuming steady state flow conditions using flow nets to estimate flow rates, pore water pressures, and to assess the possibility of a ‘quick’ condition will be covered. The second part of this study-unit introduces concepts related to rock mechanics. Both intact rock and discontinuity properties will be discussed. The importance of understanding the role of discontinuities in rock mass behaviour will be emphasized. Methods used for rock mass characterisation such as rock mass classification systems will be discussed. The method of stereographic projection for plotting discontinuity orientation and for conducting a kinematic feasibility assessment will be covered. The covered elements will allow students to understand the basic characteristics of soils and rocks, as they interact with loads applied by overlying structures and hence informs the design of foundations of structures. The lectures will be supplemented by site visits. Study-Unit Aims: This study-unit aims at introducing the general behaviour of ground, the effect of water on the mechanical properties, and the ways by which the ground materials can be engineered Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe the characteristics of a granular soil; - Understand the significance of water in the soil, and the concept of effective stress, as well as the effect of permeability on the flow of water in the soil; - Appreciate the complexity of rock mass behaviour due to variabilities of both intact rock and discontinuity properties. - Understand the significance of discontinuities in rocks. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Read a laboratory report describing the characteristics of a soil and rock; - Conduct a preliminary seepage analysis using flow nets; - Conduct a kinematic feasibility assessment using stereographic projection. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Waltham, T; Foundations of Engineering Geology, CRC Press. - Hudson, JA and Harisson, JP; Engineering Rock Mechanics, an introduction to the principles, Elsevier Science Ltd. - Goodman, RE; Introduction to Rock Mechanics, John Wiley & Sons. - Hoek, E; Practical Rock Engineering, Rocscience. - Wyllie, DC and Mah, CW; Rock Slope Engineering, Civil and Mining, Spon. - Barnes,G.E; Soil Mechanics principles and practice. Palgrave. - Whitlow, R, Basic Soil Mechanics, Longman. - Smith, G.N., Elements of Soil Mechanics, Granada. - Sutton, B.H.C. Solving Problems in Soil Mechanics, Longman. |
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| RULES/CONDITIONS | Before TAKING THIS UNIT YOU ARE ADVISED TO TAKE CVE2621 | ||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Fieldwork, Independent Study, Lectures & Practical | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Christian Schembri |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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