GSE2202

Introduction to geoengineering

D K Nag and P J Walker

4 points · 12 hours of lectures and 26 hours of design class or practicals, 13 hours of directed tutorials · Second semester · Gippsland/Distance (2000) · Prerequisites: ENG1201 and ENG1902

Objectives To gain an understanding of the origin of soil and rock, the soil rock cycle, to be able to identify common soil and rock types and appreciate the importance of grain size, void ratio and relative density on soil strength; to understand basic concepts of stress and strength as applied to soils and rocks, including shear strength and triaxial strength and the significance of these concepts in soil structures; to understand basic engineering models used to predict the performance of shallow and deep foundations, retaining walls, slopes and pavements in soils or rocks; to be able to apply these models in the practice of geotechnical engineering design; and to improve written and oral communication and computing skills.

Synopsis Overview of the problems faced by geotechnical engineers and the scope of geotechnical engineering endeavour; the geotechnical spectrum, origin of soils and rocks, the soil rock cycle and similarities and differences between soil and rock; classification of soils and rocks based on grain size and origin; void ratio, specific weight and density; uniaxial, triaxial and direct shear strength; the Mohr Coulomb strength criterion, stresses in soil, principal stress and the significance of the Mohr circle; an overview of soil and rock strength in practice; settlement and bearing capacity, analysis of shallow footings; serviceability and ultimate state design approaches; introduction to deep foundations, displacement and non-displacement piles, axial pile capacity; Rankine earth pressures, overturning, sliding and bearing failure of retaining walls, slope stability analysis for dry slopes, rigid and flexible pavements.
Course material It is proposed that course material and presentations will be made available on the faculty web-site.

Assessment Design problems and laboratory tests:50% · Examination (2 hours): 50% · Students must pass both assignment and examination components.

Recommended texts

Atkinson J An introduction to the mechanics of soils and foundations McGraw-Hill, 1993
Bowles J E Foundation analysis and design 5th edn, McGraw-Hill, 1996
Das B M Principles of geotechnical engineering 4th edn, PWS Kent, 1998

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