CE 341

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Elementary Soil Mechanics

Civil and Construction Engineering Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering

Course Description

Fundamental soil properties in the context of civil engineering and construction. Soil classification systems, stresses from gravitational and surface loads, shear strength, soil compaction theory, seepage of fluid through soil, bearing capacity analysis of foundations and settlement/consolidation theory.

When Taught

Fall and Winter

Min

3

Fixed

3

Fixed

2

Fixed

3

Title

Experimentation and Data Interpretation

Learning Outcome

Perform basic laboratory tests on soils including seive analysi, Atterberg limits, compaction, direct shear, triaxial shear and consolidation. Be able to perform the basic calculations associated wtih laboratory tests on soils.

Title

Communicate Geotech Test Results Effectively

Learning Outcome

Communicate results of geotechnical tests effectively and explain their meaning in a clear and concise manner.

Title

Perform Experiments and Report Results as Teams

Learning Outcome

Collaborate with team members to lead, establish experiment goals, perform experiments, and prepare the results in report format.

Title

Soil classification/Soil Mineralogy

Learning Outcome

Perform fundamental calculations and analyses including weight-volumen relationships and soil classification. Understand influence of soil structure and mineralogy on soil behavior.

Title

Fluid flow in Soil

Learning Outcome

Understand basic principles of flow through porous media including Darcy's law, the equation of continuity, seepage forces and flow nets.

Title

Stress analysis in soil

Learning Outcome

Understand how stresses are transferred through soils. Compute both geostatic stress (total stress, effective stress, and pore pressures) and induced stresses due to point, line and area loads.

Title

Consolidation theory

Learning Outcome

Understand basic consolidation theory. Compute the amoun of settlement and the time required for settlement under a given load.

Title

Shear strength of soil

Learning Outcome

Understand shear strength principles including Mohr-Coloumb failure criterion. Perform basic caluclations related to shear strength analyis.

Title

Lateral earth pressures

Learning Outcome

Analyze lateral earth pressures under at-rest, active and passive conditions.

Title

Bearing capacity

Learning Outcome

Perform bearing capacity analysis for spread footings of various shapes. Understand how bearing capacity equations are used in foundation design.