CEG8204 : Ground Improvement Techniques
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr David Milledge
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To introduce students to a wide range of ground improvement techniques available to geotechnical engineers and provide the theoretical and technical basis to enable them to identify and design appropriate ground improvement solutions. This is important to geotechnical engineers because it significantly enhances the options available to solve ground related problems before during and after construction, expanding the range of usable sites and reducing costs.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module introduces the concept of ground improvement, motivates its use and provides the theoretical and practical basis for a suite of ground improvement tools, which are commonly used in ground engineering. Ground improvement techniques will be introduced covering a broad range of ground conditions and ground related problems and involving physical, chemical and hydraulic modification (e.g. shallow and deep compaction, grouting, chemical soil alteration, consolidation by surcharge and drainage, dewatering, geosynthetics, and electrokinetics). A lab session will illustrate key concepts (e.g. compaction) and introduce some common methods of quantifying improvement.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 52:00 | 52:00 | Includes background reading and reading lecture notes for a full understanding of material |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 8 | 3:00 | 24:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 14:00 | 14:00 | Revision for and completion of the examination |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Practical demonstration of soil improvement techniques such as: soil compaction, lime stabilization and/or electrokinetic dewatering |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Tutorials |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | N/A |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures provide the core material and give students the opportunity to engage with and query material covered in the lecture. Problem solving is introduced through case study examples and in class design exercises, which help students to apply the theory associated with each improvement method as well as illustrating practical constraints. Laboratory sessions provide an opportunity to gain practical experience with a variety of techniques and illustrate/test the theory introduced in lectures. A three-hour drop-in session is scheduled should students wish further support from the lecturer.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 2 | M | 100 | 2-hour in person closed book exam. Comprises 2 parts. Part A, short questions; Part B, essay format. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The examination allows students to demonstrate their ability to address knowledge questions and solve engineering problems focused on ground improvement, assessing knowledge outcomes 1 – 5.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CEG8204's Timetable