Module Catalogue 2013/14

CEG3201 : Geotechnical Design

  • Offered for Year: 2013/14
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Paul Hughes
  • Owning School: Civil Engineering & Geosciences
Semesters
Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
Pre Requisites
Code Title
CEG2201Geotechnics
Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisites
Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

This module aims:
1. To demonstrate through examples, the applications of concepts, principles and theories of the design of geotechnical structures.
2. To develop the design skills of a geotechnical engineer.
3. To introduce examples of geotechnical construction techniques.

This module will build upon basic soil mechanics principles and demonstrate how they are used for the design and analysis of slopes, retaining walls and foundations. Reference will be made to codes of practice currently used in industry.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module will provide an introduction to detailed design of key geotechnical structures. It will introduce numerical software and its role in the design process. Students will perform detailed design exercises. Including principles of design of foundations, slopes and retaining walls: failure mechanisms, forces, partial factors. Shallow foundations: methods of construction design based on presumed values, theory, and in situ tests. Piled foundations: methods of construction, design of compressive tension piles. Slopes: failure mechanisms, stability analyses, stabilisation and asset management. Structural walls: actual and theoretical behaviour, groundwater and earth pressure on rigid structures, design of gravity and sheet pile walls.

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

1. Students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories of the principle of the design of geotechnical studies.
2. Students will be able to solve problems that require a geotechnical solution based on an assessment of the key issues, a synthesis of possible solutions and use of appropriate tools.

Intended Skill Outcomes

1. Students will be able to demonstrate creative and innovative ability through application of essential facts, concepts, theories and princples of geotechnics to produce optimum solutions to geotechnical problems.
2. Students will be able to understand the design process.

Graduate Skills Framework

Graduate Skills Framework Applicable: Yes
  • Cognitive/Intellectual Skills
    • Data Synthesis : Present
    • Active Learning : Present
    • Numeracy : Assessed
    • Information Literacy
      • Source Materials : Assessed
      • Synthesise And Present Materials : Assessed
  • Self Management
    • Planning and Organisation
      • Goal Setting And Action Planning : Assessed
      • Decision Making : Assessed
    • Personal Enterprise
      • Innovation And Creativity : Assessed
      • Initiative : Present
      • Independence : Present
      • Problem Solving : Assessed
      • Adaptability : Present
  • Interaction
    • Communication
      • Interpersonal : Present
      • Written Other : Assessed
    • Team Working
      • Collaboration : Present
      • Relationship Building : Present
      • Leadership : Present
      • Negotiation : Present
      • Peer Assessment Review : Present

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion110:305:30Revision for exam
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion13:003:00Exam
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture112:0022:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical11:001:00Lab Exercise
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching111:0011:00Tutorials
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops11:001:00Industrial Speaker
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study156:3056:30Includes background reading and reading lecture notes for a full understanding of material
Total100:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The principles of design and analysis are taught in lectures with several problem-solving small group teaching activities in order to gain an understanding of the design procedures. These principles will be put to use in the design exercises set as the assessment for the module.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination1801A100Unseen, written examination.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The examination will allow students to demonstrate their knowledge of the geotechnical design process and the engineering theory it is based upon.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

Note: The Module Catalogue now reflects module information relating to academic year 13/14. Please contact your School Office if you require module information for a previous academic year.

Disclaimer: The University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver modules in accordance with the descriptions set out in this catalogue. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, however, the University reserves the right to introduce changes to the information given including the addition, withdrawal or restructuring of modules if it considers such action to be necessary.