Geotechnics 3

Overview

This module builds upon Geotechnics 2 to deal with further practical applications of Geotechnics. It deals with site assessment and characterisation from a combined geotechnical / geo-environmental perspective. The course also addresses the design of simple cantilever and gravity retaining walls, ground improvement and practical work with computerised applications related to problems of seepage and slope stability.

The course includes the following topics:
desk studies; site conceptual modelling; environmental & engineering geophysics; boreholes & sampling; sampling disturbance; in-situ testing; design parameters from site investigation; environmental impact assessments; use of geosynthetics, ground improvement techniques, slope stability, retaining wall design.

Learning Objectives

On completion of the course you should have knowledge and understanding of:
the environmental, social and economic factors affecting design and an awareness of how they are assessed;
the process of site characterisation, from preliminary conceptual design to evaluation of data and extraction of parameters for design;
the techniques and tools used in practice for investigating sites, their advantages and limitations;
how to design simple retaining walls;
a range of different ground improvement techniques;
applying computer packages to problems of seepage and slope stability.

On completion of the course you should be able to:
define, apply and formulate conceptual models;
be familiar with site investigation practice;
recognise the advantages and limitations of different site investigation techniques
interpret data from a range of site investigation techniques;
determine the stability of retaining walls;
deal with problems and remediation of slopes instability;
recognise the use of geotextiles in Civil Engineering and design retaining walls.

Skills

On completion of the course you should be able to:
understand the process in developing Environmental Impact Assessments;
design and plan a site investigation;
select appropriate site investigation techniques for a range of possible situations;
extract design parameters from site investigation data;
design a gravity wall and a sheet pile wall according to given criteria;
design for slope instability;
carry out design with geosynthetics;
use a geotechnical computer design package.
The course will enhance the following skills:
the ability to deal with complex information;
the ability to solve non-routine problems;
the ability to both learn independently and to work within a team;
the ability to develop solutions from initial ideas.

Assessment

None