2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
CIVE5670M Geotechnical Engineering
15 creditsClass Size: 130
Module manager: Professor Barry Clarke
Email: b.g.clarke@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2017/18
Pre-requisites
| CIVE1460 | Properties of Materials: Water, Soil, Steel and Timber |
| CIVE1660 | Integrated Design Project I (inc Design Studio 1) |
| CIVE2470 | Water Engineering and Geotechnics |
| CIVE3510 | Foundation Engineering Fundamentals |
This module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
- An overview of the principles of geotechnical engineering;- To gain an understanding of the behaviour of soils in engineering situations where the soil may either cause the load on a structure, be loaded by a structure or form the structure;
- Common methods of analysis, construction techniques and methods of soil improvement will be covered and the course will concentrate on applying the fundamental principles of soil mechanics to explain the behaviour of the system and the analytical methods.
By the end of the module students should be able to analyse common geotechnical problems, devise practical solutions, and have an understanding of soils as construction materials.
Learning outcomes
- An understanding of geotechnical structures, their performances during construction and in service;
- An understanding of geotechnical hazards and how they affect design decisions for temporary and permanent works.
Skills outcomes
- An ability to identify geotechnical hazards and assess the risk of them occuring;
- An ability to produce engineering solutions to geotechnical problems.
Syllabus
1. Soil as a construction material: Compaction - theory, tests, construction methods, control. Dams and embankments. Soil improvement - grouting, vertical drains, vibro-flotation, dynamic compaction.
2. Geosynthetics and soil reinforcement: Materials; Functions - filtration, separation, reinforcement, erosion control, drainage in plane, flow prevention; Reinforced earth walls - analysis and construction;
3. Soil-structure interaction: Detailed analysis of sheet piled walls; Analysis of gravity retaining walls; Pile construction techniques and group action; Flexible and rigid pipes; Deep in-situ walls.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Example Class | 4 | 1.00 | 4.00 |
| Consultation | 5 | 1.00 | 5.00 |
| Meetings | 2 | 1.00 | 2.00 |
| Lecture | 15 | 1.00 | 15.00 |
| Private study hours | 124.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 26.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150.00 | ||
Private study
Private study will consist of reading, exam preparation and coursework.Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Students are expected to submit a series of formative exercises and submit a design report.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Report | Design Report | 15.00 |
| Report | Case study selection | 0.00 |
| Report | Creation of the geotechnical model | 0.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 15.00 | |
Re-sit - 100% examination
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 3 hr | 85.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 85.00 | |
Re-sit - 100% examination
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 24/05/2017
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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