CEG8229 : Geotechnical investigation, modelling and design
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Professor Stefano Utili
- Lecturer: Dr David Milledge, Dr Sadegh Nadimi, Dr Jean Hall
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The aims of the module are:-
to introduce students to the design and assessment of slopes (e.g. cuttings, embankments, and excavations) according to the current international standards (Eurocode 7 and guidelines from ISRM) using both physics-based numerical and analytical methods and data-centric tools.
2. to introduce the theoretical concepts and engineering principles underpinning the assessment of the stability of slopes excavated in rocks and soils.
3. to introduce conceptual ground models and the data and knowledge requirements for both these conceptual models as well as the physics-based and data-centric models introduced above; then introduce the methods available to fulfil these requirements
Outline Of Syllabus
The module will cover the key concept areas of:
Ground Investigation Philosophy and Design, Exploratory Hole techniques, Sampling and testing in the field, Soil Behaviour and its relation to soil testing; Reporting the results and the development of the Conceptual Ground Model.
Data science approaches in ground engineering including sources of geotechnical data, statistical modelling, and machine learning. Students will perform computer programming to implement the methodologies.
Analytical and numerical methods employed in industry to carry out slope stability assessment with particular emphasis on Limit Equilibrium Methods and Finite Element analyses; the use of stability charts to design and assess slopes in rocks and cohesive soils; and how to efficiently design slopes.
The course will teach students how to assess the safety a wide range of slopes and unsupported excavations in soils and rock in compliance with Eurocode 7 via the use of stability charts, analytical and numerical methods. The main type of failure mechanisms responsible for slope instabilities will be considered including the onset of tension cracks and seismic action.
The theoretical concepts will be applied to several example cases during tutorials which will offer opportunities to clarify any questions.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 80:00 | 80:00 | Individual Coursework |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 6 | 3:30 | 21:00 | Computer exercises using state-of-the art software for slope stability assessment, statistical analysis and machine learning. |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 35:00 | 35:00 | Studying online resources that accompany taught sessions and reading lecture notes |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 15:00 | 15:00 | Background reading of course texts |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 2 | 1:30 | 3:00 | Soil and rock description and Interpretation of GI data |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | Problem solving exercises |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Conceptual Model development |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Rigs in Action: Site visit |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 6 | 2:00 | 12:00 | Addressing student queries on the development of the coursework. |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The module is taught as an intensive block in order to provide an immersive learning experience with a flexible integration of lectures, practicals, tutorials and problem-solving sessions. The module includes lectures to explain the theory, small group teaching activities in the form of tutorials and set problems to be solved to teach the practical application of the theory for slope stability assessment and the design of excavations. Computer exercises employ state of the art commercial software teaching students how to use both industry standard software for slope stability assessment and cutting-edge statistical and machine learning approaches. Drop in surgeries are offered to support the students in the preparation of the coursework assignment (module assessment is 100% based on the coursework).
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | 100 | approx. 60 pages |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | using Rocscience Slide and RS for the analysis of the stability of a slope under various scenarios |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Each student will undertake an individual coursework comprising 1. Evaluation of ground investigation data for a case study site; 2. The assessment of the stability of a slope subject to static and earthquake action and tension cracks by hand calculation using Limit Equilibrium Method in accordance with EC7 and pre-Eurocode (global Factor of Safety) legacy standards (M1, M2, M4); 3. Use of limit equilibrium software for the assessment of slope stability (M2; M3; M5); 4. an evaluation of the relative strengths and weaknesses of a data-centric approach to a ground engineering problem (M2; M5).
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CEG8229's Timetable