Nov 08, 2024  
2019-2020 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Undergraduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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CV 3500 - Geotechnical Engineering

3 lecture hours 2 lab hours 4 credits
Course Description
Introduction to the fundamental principles of soil mechanics.  Topics include elementary mass-volume relations for soils, soil types and classifications, soil compaction, geostatic stress distributions, shear strength under drained and undrained conditions, bearing capacity, settlement, and consolidation.  The laboratory will cover test methods and interpretations of laboratory results for the determination of physical, mechanical, and hydraulic properties of soil. (prereq: AE 1231 , and AE 201 or AE 2012 )
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Conduct particle size analysis and determine Atterberg limits and use the results to classify soils per the USCS and AASHTO soil classification systems
  • Calculate various soil parameters using an understanding of a three-phase diagram
  • Calculate soil relative density and specify field compaction
  • Calculate the hydraulic conductivity of various soils
  • Calculate the total stress, pore water pressure, and effective stress at various points I the soil profile of a saturated soil without seepage
  • Explain the process of settlement and consolidation in both sandy and clay soils
  • Calculate the shear strength of cohesive and cohesionless soils
  • Conduct typical geotechnical engineering laboratory tests and understand the application of their results in civil engineering
  • Interpret the results from a geotechnical report for use in various aspects of civil engineering

Prerequisites by Topic
  • Construction materials
  • Mechanics of materials

Course Topics
  • Weight-volume relationships
  • Clay minerals and clay chemistry
  • Grain size analysis
  • Atterberg limits
  • Classification of soils (USCS and AASHTO)
  • Compaction
  • Water content and organic matter content
  • Permeability
  • Effective stress
  • Subsurface stress in soils
  • Relative density
  • Compressibility of soil
  • Proctor compaction test
  • Shear strength
  • Hydraulic conductivity test
  • Footings
  • Direct shear strength
  • Retaining walls
  • Soil sampling and investigation
  • Soil reports
  • Bridge pier foundation design

Coordinator
Dr. Frank Mahuta



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