This module is discontinued in the selected year. The information shown below is for the academic year that the module was last running in, prior to the year selected.
2015/16 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
SOEE5012M Laboratory and Field Skills
10 creditsClass Size: 45
Module manager: Dr Jared West
Email: L.J.West@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2015/16
Module replaces
Part of SOEE5011M Engineering Geology and Site InvestigationThis module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
To develop the students:- understanding of the significance and importance laboratory and field investigations will have on determining the engineering characteristics of rocks in construction;
- appreciation of the importance of discontinuities and their characteristics;
- understanding of the how to gain rockmass and rock material properties in the field and laboratory;
- ability to provide an engineering description of rocks and soils;
- to undertake a range of laboratory tests in relation to rocks and soils, and interpret the results;
- to ensure all students can log field and core sections to a high engineering standard;
- to ensure all students can interpret field and core sections with limited exposure or poor quality core and can differentiate between description and classification;
- to develop an understanding of conceptual geological models in ground engineering in its broadest concept;
- the ability to develop and plan a field and laboratory; investigation as part of a site investigation;
- ability to report results in an effective and concise industrial style.
- ability to work effectively and safely in a laboratory and field environment either independently or a part of a group.
Learning outcomes
After taking this course students will be able to:
- appreciate the essential role of field and core logging in all applied areas of geology;
- have a appreciation of national and international guidelines and standards past and present in relation to field and laboratory investigations;
- have a working knowledge of Eurocode 7;
- appreciate the essential need for appropriate laboratory testing programmes in engineering geology as part of a site investigation;
- better assess the geological/ground information required in foundation designs, earthworks, slope stability, and dam engineering from real examples;
- be better able to assess geohazards from knowledge gained during field and laboratory investigations;
- be able to appreciate the range of laboratory tests available and their relevance’s and role in real engineering projects;
- have an enhanced knowledge of field geology/geomorphology;
- have further developed their research skills through investigation of the 'grey' literature related to many real schemes.
Skills outcomes
Skills Outcomes:
By the end of this module the student should have developed advanced engineering laboratory and field skills. Students will be able synthesis and evaluate methods used in the field and/or laboratory as part of a site investigation to contribute towards planning and design. The student will be able to identify the importance of the laboratory and field aspects to an engineering geology investigation and elucidate how this contributes to a geotechnical project. The student should be able to appreciate how their skills could be used in the applied engineering geology, geotechnical and construction environment.
The students will develop transferable skills from the laboratory and fieldwork, these include interactive and group skills, note taking, communication skills, planning and management, problem solving, research skills, thinking in 3D, industrial style report writing and fieldwork skills including risk assessments.
Syllabus
Laboratory Testing:
Rock and soils testing in the laboratory, including:
- soils shear box tests; rock shear box tests
- core logging
- permeability testing
- slake durability testing
- point load testing
- index property testing
- Field investigations.
Fieldwork: Develop geological model and ground models in the field, assess geological hazard and risk, interpret ancient environments and how that may impact on design of critical infrastructure in the present and future.
Industry Presentations and site visits: to illustrate case studies of engineering geological projects
This module includes fieldwork which takes place in semester 2.
The module will then enable the students to designing appropriate laboratory and site investigations and Safe working in different environments.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Industry Site Visit / Seminars | 4 | 5.00 | 20.00 |
| Fieldwork | 6 | 8.00 | 48.00 |
| Practical | 4 | 3.00 | 12.00 |
| Private study hours | 20.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 80.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
Private study 20hrs consisting of:- Group work, independent background reading and laboratory report preparation: 18hrs
- Write up notebooks from field investigations: 2hrs.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
The learning and teaching strategies to monitor student progress will be:- marks and individual feedback on fieldtrip notebooks and laboratory reports;
- supervision during fieldtrip;
- supervision and demonstrators available in field and laboratory classes;
- marks and individual/group feedback on reports and notebooks.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Report | Group Laboratory Report | 70.00 |
| Fieldwork | Field based assessment during field trip in semester 2 | 30.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 21/08/2015
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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