CIVL6280
10 units
6000 level
Course handbook
Description
This course introduces students to the principles of soil mechanics. The purpose of the course is to provide the foundation for geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering design.
Availability2024 Course Timetables
Callaghan
- Semester 1 - 2024
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
1. Interpret the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion for geomaterials and apply it in geotechnical analysis and design
2. Calculate and explain soil shear strength and strength parameters
3. Apply basic concepts in critical state soil mechanics to describe soil behaviour
4. Apply strength failure criteria to the analysis of shallow foundations, retaining walls and slope stability
5. Conduct basic laboratory experiments and derive soil shear strength and strength parameters from these experiments
6. Use critical state soil mechanics to interpret undrained and drained shear strength of soils
Content
- Failure criteria, the use of the effective stress principle for estimating the strength properties of soil, laboratory experiments to determine soil strength parameters
- Specific topics include the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion for soils, soil shear strength, critical state soil mechanics, design of shallow foundations and retaining walls, seismic behaviour of soils and slope stability analysis
Requisite
This course has similar content to CIVL3280. If you have completed CIVL3280, you cannot enrol in this course.
Assumed knowledge
Content from CIVL2280 Geomechanics 1 or equivalent
Assessment items
Report: Laboratory Reports
Written Assignment: Assignment 1
Written Assignment: Assignment 2
Written Assignment: Assignment 3
Quiz: Mid-semester quiz
Formal Examination: Final exam
Contact hours
Semester 1 - 2024 - Callaghan
Laboratory-1
- Face to Face On Campus 9 hour(s) per term
Lecture-1
- Face to Face On Campus 4 hour(s) per week(s) for 13 week(s) starting in week 1
Tutorial-1
- Face to Face On Campus 12 hour(s) per term
Course outline
Course outline not yet available.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.