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Formation, properties, description and representation of soils. Stress and strain in soils. Deformation and failure of soils. Engineered soil slope stability and foundation analysis. Underground excavation and ground treatment in soil.
Soil Mechanics provides essential background and concepts for soil characterisation and classification, and the evaluation of mechanical behaviour of soils under applied loads.
The course is divided into five modules:- Module 1: Physical properties of soils; soil classification; soil compaction;- Module 2: Stresses in soil; principle of effective stress; hydrostatic pore pressures;- Module 3: Water in soil; permeability; flow nets;- Module 4: Soil deformation; stiffness; strength; critical state; dilatancy; normal compression;- Module 5: Origins of soils.At the conclusion of this course a student should be able to:- Interpret data and measurements from standard lab tests for the purpose of soil characterisation and classification (Module 1 and Lab activities);- Understand and apply the “Principle of Effective Stress” and explain its importance and relevance to geotechnical problems (Module 2);- Calculate static soil stresses (total and effective, vertical and horizontal) and pore water pressure for field deposits and lab test specimens (Module 2);- Analyse flow of water through soil using fundamental fluid mechanics principles (Module 3);- Describe and compare the stress-strain and deformation response of ‘loose’ and ‘dense’, ‘normally consolidated’ and ‘over-consolidated’ soils and explain the effects of confining pressure and density on soil stress-strain behaviour (Module 4);- Describe the geological and geomorphological processes responsible for the formation of soils, and relate geological processes to the likely nature and distribution of soils in different environments (Module 5)
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Employable, innovative and enterprising
Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.
Globally aware
Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.
(1) MATH101 or MATH102 or MATH103 and (2) approval from the Head of Department of Geological Sciences
ENCN253; ENGE 485
The typical workload for ENCN253 is as follows:Contact Hours:Lectures 44 (4 hours per week)Tutorials 11 (1 hour per week)Laboratories 9 Independent study:Readings 16Assignments 48Tutorial preparation 12Lab reports 10Total 150
Clark Fenton
David Bell
Mark Stringer and Gabriele Chiaro
Cathy Higgins , Sarah Pope and Siale Faitotonu
There are no specific recommended text book that are required for the course, but extensive notes and reference material will be provided. Useful references includes the following:Holtz, R.D. and Kovacs, W.D. (1981). An introduction to Geotechnical Engineering. Prentice-Hall, 1st Edition, pp. 733.Powrie, W. (2004). Soil Mechanics: concepts and applications. SPON Press, pp. 741.
Prerequisites: 15 points of 100-level MATHS or equivalentRecommended preparation: completion of ENGE417 and ENGE414
Domestic fee $1,033.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
This course will not be offered if fewer than 10 people apply to enrol.
For further information see School of Earth and Environment .