NES3203 : Geotechnical and Geophysical Investigations
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Martin Cooke
- Lecturer: Dr Mark Ireland
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- 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
The aims of this module is describe the principles and applications of geophysical, borehole and laboratory investigations and give students the opportunity to learn the skills to interpret these data.
The module will cover the theory behind data acquisition, processing and interpretation. It will cover:
i) geophysical methods
ii) principles of rock and soil mechanics
iii) borehole investigations
The module will introduce the environmental, engineering, and geoenergy applications of the methods.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module will cover:
Rock and soil mechanics
Principles of soil mechanics
Principles of rock mechanics
Lab tests for soils
Core plugs and whole core
Lab tests for defining rocks
Geophysical methods
Introduction to geophysics
Reflection
Refraction
Passive
Applications
Borehole investigations
How to drill a borehole
Basic principles of borehole data collection
Wireline techniques
Borehole imaging
The module will have 3 practicals (which may be desktop, computer, or laboratory based). During these practical’s students will learn how to interpret a selection of different data types with a focus on applications in the environmental, engineering, and geoenergy.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | Completion of coursework |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 10 | 0:30 | 5:00 | Revision |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Preparation for and completion of formative problem solving exercise |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 3 | 3:00 | 9:00 | Practicals |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 3 | 2:00 | 6:00 | Skills practice |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 32:30 | 32:30 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Online Discussion | 3 | 2:00 | 6:00 | N/A |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The module will be taught through a series of 2 hour lectures the theory and principles behind key subsurface investigative methods. Each of the primary techniques, geophysics, soil and rock mechanics, and borehole techniques, is paired with a 3 hour practical where students will learn to interpret different subsurface data types and information.
The online discussion, skills practice, independent study and assessment preparation and completion will allow students to consolidate their learning gained from both lectures and practicals and practice their skills.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case study | 2 | M | 100 | Geotechnical or geophysical investigation or survey plan for applied project |
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 | 2 | M | Completion of 3 problems related to the practicals |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The coursework will test the knowledge and understanding of engineering geology.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES3203's Timetable