CVEN 3390 – Geotechnical Engineering

      Spring, 2006

 

 

2006-2008 Catalog Data:         CVEN 3390: Basic principles of soil behavior under load. Soil properties and classification. Study of hydraulics as applied to soil mechanics. Prerequisite: ENGR 2301. Co requisites: CVEN 2372.

 

Textbook:                                 B.M. Das, Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, 5th Edition, Brooks/Cole, 2002

B.M. Das, Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual, 6th Edition, Oxford University Press, 2002

 

Reference:                               None

 

 

Instructor:                                 Mien Jao, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering Department

 

Goals:                                       (1) Apply mathematics, science & engineering knowledge. Introduce students to the fundamental mechanics of soils and the knowledge of analyzing problems related to soil properties and behavior including soil classification, soil compaction, permeability and seepage, consolidation, stresses in soil and shear strength of soil. (ABET Outcomes # a)

 (2) Ability to design and conduct experiments; analyze/interpret results. Conduct lab experiments, analyze and interpret test results for soil classification, determine shear strength of soils for design purpose. (ABET Outcomes #b)

(3) Enhance communication skill through written laboratory reports (ABET Outcomes # g)

 

 

Prerequisites by Topics:            Statics

 

Topics:

 

  1. Soils and rocks: origin and formation
  2. Soil composition and index properties
  3. Soil classification systems
  4. Laboratory and field compaction
  5. Flow of water in soil: permeability and seepage
  6. Flow net and uplift pressure, design consideration
  7. Effective stress concepts
  8. Stress in soil mass
  9. Consolidation of soil
  10. Foundation settlement: analysis and design
  11. Shear strength of soil, testing and design considerations

 

 

Computer usage: Use of microcomputer in analysis of data obtained from the laboratory tests.

 

Laboratory projects :

 

1.      Laboratory safety procedure

2.      Moisture content determination

3.      Specific gravity determination

4.      Sieve analysis

5.      Hydrometer analysis

6.      Liquid limit test

7.      Plastic limit test

8.      Standard proctor compaction

9.      Permeability test

10.  Unconfined compression test

11.  Consolidation test

12.  Direct shear test

13.  Triaxial test

14.  Written reports

 

 

Contribution of course to meet the professional component:

 

This course contributes to the engineering science and engineering design component.

 

ABET category content as estimated by faculty member who prepared this course description:

 

                        Engineering Topics:       3 credits or 100%