| CODE | CVE5621 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Advanced Geotechnical Engineering 1 | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Civil and Structural Engineering | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit focuses on soils mechanics, and it builds on prior knowledge of basic soil mechanics theory, including strength criteria, the different behaviour of rocks, granular soils and cohesive soils, the role of water in the engineering behaviour of these materials. Soil behavioral frameworks will be introduced, focusing on the critical state framework of soil mechanics, and how this methodology can be used to model the behaviour of a soil, both in terms of strength and deformation. The theory of consolidation will also be explored, including its application in assessing settlement and rate of settlement of foundations. The application of these concepts in numerical modeling will be discussed, highlighting the approaches required when applying these to practical situations. Laboratory techniques for testing soils will then be reviewed in the light of these theories, concluding with a practical project whose objective will be to characterize behaviour of a specific soil. Study-unit Aims: The objective of this study-unit is to explore the nature of ground materials and to obtain further insight into the engineering behaviour of these materials. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Identify different ground materials and explain the expected behaviour in engineering situations; - Discuss recent developments in theoretical soil mechanics; - Comprehend how theoretical soil mechanics can be used to model soil behaviour in engineering situations; - Understand the importance of soil laboratory testing and how the information from such tests is used in practice. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Predict the type of behaviour expected from a given ground material; - Identify how the behaviour of such materials is best modelled in typical engineering situation; - Specify soil and rock laboratory tests; - Identify the validity of laboratory tests and their application in geotechnical engineering. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Barnes, G.E, (2010) Soil Mechanics principles and practice. Palgrave. - Whitlow, R., (1995) Basic Soil Mechanics, Longman. - Smith, G.N., (1982) Elements of Soil Mechanics, Granada. - Whaltam, T., (2009)Foundations of Engineering Geology, Spon. - Sutton, B.H.C., (1993) Solving Problems in Soil Mechanics, Longman. - Tomlinson, M.J, (2001) Foundation Design and Construction, Prentice Hall. - MSA EN 1997-1:2004 Geo-technical Design – General Rules (Available on-line for registered students). |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Independent Study and Practical | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Adrian Mifsud |
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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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