Not currently offered
Course code

CIVL4250

Units

10 units

Level

4000 level

Course handbook

Description

The aim of this course is to introduce to the in-situ techniques commonly employed in geotechnical practice as well as conventional and advanced laboratory testing procedures available for soil characterisation aimed at developing geotechnical models to be used in current practice.


Availability

Not currently offered.

This Course was last offered in Semester 1 - 2024.


Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Interpret and analyse common in situ tests using in geotechnical practice.

2. Estimate geotechnical parameters from in situ tests to be used in geotechnical design.

3. Design a soil sampling campaign for geotechnical characterization in laboratory.

4. Assess sample quality and select proper specimens for laboratory testing.

5. Design a laboratory program for soil characterization.

6. Interpret and analyse index and mechanical (non-conventional) laboratory tests.

7. Estimate geotechnical parameters from index and mechanical laboratory tests to be used in geotechnical design.


Content

• Requirements for developing geotechnical models. • In situ testing techniques: CPT, CPTu, DMT, SDMT tests, full flow penetrometers, field vane test. Tests interpretation and geotechnical parameters identification. • Soil sampling techniques: open samplers, free piston samplers, fixed-piston samplers, block sampling. Operation principles, advantages/disadvantages. • Assessment of sample quality and selection of specimens for laboratory testing: non-destructive techniques (residual suction, bender elements, CT scanning, X-Ray). • Advanced laboratory techniques for soil testing: requirements for testing natural soils in laboratory; basic characterization tests; Incremental loading and Constant Rate of Strain (CRS) consolidation testing; stress-path triaxial testing; unsaturated soils testing (basic concepts). Operation principles, interpretation and geotechnical parameter identification.  


Assumed knowledge

Content covered in courses CIVL1100 Fundamentals of Engineering Mechanics (previously GENG1001), CIVL2282 Introduction to Geomechanics (previously CIVL2280), CIVL3280 Geomechanics 2.


Assessment items

Report: In situ testing Report

Report: Laboratory Report

Formal Examination: Formal Examination

Course outline

Course outline not yet available.