| Title: | Soil Mechanics and Geology |
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| Long Title: | Soil Mechanics and Geology |
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| Field of Study: |
Civil Engineering
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| Valid From: |
Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( September 2019 ) |
| Module Coordinator: |
DES WALSH |
| Module Author: |
NORMA HURLEY |
| Module Description: |
This module examines concepts and fundamentals of soil mechanics to enable the student to identify and describe the principal properties of soil types and geological materials. The student will also study the engineering behaviour of soils under different conditions and the application of these principals to geotechnical design. Site investigation techniques and operations are also examined. |
| Learning Outcomes |
| On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: |
| LO1 |
Calculate standard soil properties and classify a soil sample. |
| LO2 |
Carry out laboratory tests for preliminary engineering assessment of a soil sample. |
| LO3 |
Specify the essential features and requirements of a site investigation. |
| LO4 |
Identify main categories of rock occuring in Ireland and define the engineering properties of rock. |
| LO5 |
Calculate stresses in soil under various load conditions |
| Pre-requisite learning |
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
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Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list. |
| No incompatible modules listed |
Co-requisite Modules
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| No Co-requisite modules listed |
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
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| No requirements listed |
Module Content & Assessment
| Indicative Content |
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Geology, Rocks and Geological Processes
Introduction to geological structures and processes. Rock types, folding and faults. Weathering, glaciation and coastal erosion. Site investigation, desk study, engineering materials, sources
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Site Investigation
Requirements and specification. Soil sampling. Boreholes and in situ testing.
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Classification of Soils
Introduction to soil mechanics. Identification and description of engineering soils
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Physical properties and Compaction
Density, water content, voids ratio, porosity, degree of saturation. Particle size analysis, grading curves, consistency limits
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Water in Soil
Flow of water in soils. Permeability. Wells, drainage. Weather and temperature effects.
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Stresses in Soils
Shear strength. Intergranular friction and cohesion. Mohr's circle.
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| Assessment Breakdown | % |
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| Course Work | 35.00% |
| End of Module Formal Examination | 65.00% |
| Course Work |
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| Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
| Presentation |
Carry out a desk study for a proposed building, compile report and presentation |
3,4 |
10.0 |
Week 5 |
| Practical/Skills Evaluation |
Laboratory experiments. Analysis and reports |
1,2 |
25.0 |
Every Second Week |
| End of Module Formal Examination |
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| Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
| Formal Exam |
End-of-Semester Final Examination |
1,2,3,4,5 |
65.0 |
End-of-Semester |
| Reassessment Requirement |
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.
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The institute reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Workload
| Workload: Full Time |
| Workload Type |
Workload Description |
Hours |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
Delivery of module content |
2.5 |
Every Week |
2.50 |
| Tutorial |
Problem solving in soil mechanics |
1.0 |
Every Week |
1.00 |
| Lab |
Experiments conducted in Soils Lab |
1.5 |
Every Second Week |
0.75 |
| Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) |
Self-directed study |
2.75 |
Every Week |
2.75 |
| Total Hours |
7.75 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
4.25 |
| Workload: Part Time |
| Workload Type |
Workload Description |
Hours |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
Delivery of module content |
2.0 |
Every Week |
2.00 |
| Lab |
Experiments conducted in Soils Lab |
1.5 |
Every Second Week |
0.75 |
| Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) |
Self-directed study |
4.25 |
Every Week |
4.25 |
| Total Hours |
7.75 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
2.75 |
Module Resources
| Recommended Book Resources |
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- I.S. Technical Specifications 2004, Technical Specifications I.S. CEN ISO TS 17892, Irish Standards
- Roy Whitlow, 2000, 4th Ed. Ed., Basic Soil Mechanics, Prentice Hall (Pearson) [ISBN: 9780582381094]
- Graham Barnes 2016, Soil Mechanics - Properties and Practice, 4th Ed. Ed., MacMillan IHE London [ISBN: 97811751208]
- F.G.H. Blyth and M.H. de Freitas 1984, A Geology for Engineers, 7th Ed., Routledge London [ISBN: 9780415502917]
| | Supplementary Book Resources |
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- MJ Tomlinson 2001, Foundation Design and Construction, 7th Ed. Ed., Prentice Hall [ISBN: 9780130311801]
| | This module does not have any article/paper resources |
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| This module does not have any other resources |
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Module Delivered in
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