CEG3204 : Exploring the Ground: Investigating and improving our terrestrial environment
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): 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: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module will provide an introduction to the design and philosophy of geotechnical site investigations the range of ground exploration and testing techniques available to geotechnical engineers. Students will also learn how investigations are planned and how the results of investigations relate to the design process. The module will also introduce the students to the variety of improvement methods which could be used to treat contaminated, weak or poor ground conditions which may be found on an engineering site.
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.
Concept of the variety of Ground Improvement techniques available for contaminated and poor ground conditions which maybe encountered on an engineering site.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | N/A |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 6 | 0:30 | 3:00 | lectures providing theory and notions |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | Coursework preparation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | Interpretation of GI data |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | Soil and rock description |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Background reading and lecture follow up |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 2 | 3:00 | 6:00 | Conceptual Model development |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | Rigs in Action: Site visit |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 24:00 | 24:00 | Includes background reading and reading lecture notes for a full understanding of the material |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Students will acquire knowledge through lectures, small group teaching activities, directed self study (independent study) and site visits (fieldwork). Skills will be practiced through formative exercises and small group teaching activities. Ground interpretation, application to investigative techniques and proposed solution to ground challenges will be assessed through an individual coursework exercise.
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. 20 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | Undertaken in class to check knowledge and understanding. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Design skills, that is, creative and innovative ability through application of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of geotechnics to produce a relevant ground investigation and interpretation of results will be developed through formative exercises, coursework and private study. They will be assessed through the production of a major exercise to evaluate a ground investigation and propose a solution for ground improvement based on parameters identified.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CEG3204's Timetable