ENT714: Theoretical Soil Mechanics
| School | Cardiff School of Engineering |
| Department Code | ENGIN |
| Module Code | ENT714 |
| External Subject Code | 100180 |
| Number of Credits | 10 |
| Level | L7 |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Module Leader | Professor Peter Cleall |
| Semester | Spring Semester |
| Academic Year | 2012/3 |
Outline Description of Module
- To introduce students to the concept of modelling of the stress strain behaviour of soil, both in principle and through application in the analysis of settlement and failure of embankments and foundations, and to introduce students to the practice of soil reinforcement with geosynthetics.
On completion of the module a student should be able to
- demonstrate understanding of the need for developing engineering models of soil behaviour;
- discuss the non-linear stress strain behaviour of soils;
- outline the fundamentals of engineering elasticity and plasticity;
- outline the principal means of soil reinforcement with geosynthetics; and
- illustrate the application of geosynthetic reinforcement in the design of embankments on soft soils.
How the module will be delivered
A combination of lectures and example classes are used to explain the principles of soil mechanics and to develop the students’ understanding of the material and its relevance to Engineering Problems.
Students are expected to undertake all the tutorial sheets issued throughout the module in preparation for the relevant example classes and to broaden their understanding of engineering problems. Successful completion of all the tutorial sheets will help the students towards meeting the learning outcomes.
Students are expected to undertake all the tutorial sheets issued throughout the module in preparation for the relevant example classes and to broaden their understanding of engineering problems. Successful completion of all the tutorial sheets will help the students towards meeting the learning outcomes.
Skills that will be practised and developed
- undertake the modelling of soil as an elastic material;
- undertake the modelling of soil as an elasto-plastic material using Modified Cam Clay
How the module will be assessed
The module is assessed through a two-hour formal examination scheduled during the Spring Semester Examination Period. The examination paper consists of five questions. The students are required to attempt a maximum of three questions.
Assessment Breakdown
| Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam - Spring Semester | 100 | Theoretical Soil Mechanics | 2 |
Syllabus content
Stress strain behaviour of soil:
Idealisation and the role of soil models in engineering practice
Typical stress strain behaviour
The critical state concept
Effect of stress history and stress path on soil behaviour
Interpretation of stress path tests
Applications of stress path tests in engineering practice
Elasticity:
Soil as an elastic material
Drained and undrained soil stiffness
Elastic consolidation
Applications using closed form solutions and numerical analysis
Elasto-plasticity:
Soil as an elasto-plastic material
Fundamentals of plasticity, yield surfaces, flow rules and normality
The Modified Cam Clay model for soil
Applications of models in geotechnical engineering practice
Applications using numerical analysis
Geosynthetics:
Geotextiles, geogrids and geofabrics
Applications and construction techniques
Geotextile reinforced embankments
Idealisation and the role of soil models in engineering practice
Typical stress strain behaviour
The critical state concept
Effect of stress history and stress path on soil behaviour
Interpretation of stress path tests
Applications of stress path tests in engineering practice
Elasticity:
Soil as an elastic material
Drained and undrained soil stiffness
Elastic consolidation
Applications using closed form solutions and numerical analysis
Elasto-plasticity:
Soil as an elasto-plastic material
Fundamentals of plasticity, yield surfaces, flow rules and normality
The Modified Cam Clay model for soil
Applications of models in geotechnical engineering practice
Applications using numerical analysis
Geosynthetics:
Geotextiles, geogrids and geofabrics
Applications and construction techniques
Geotextile reinforced embankments
Essential Reading and Resource List
Applied Analyses in Geotechnics
Azizi, F
E&FN Spon, 1999
TA705.A9
Soil Behaviour and Critical
Wood, D M
CUP, 1990
State Soil Mechanics
TA710.W6
Geotextiles and Geomembranes in Civil Engineering
Veldhuijzen van, Zanten, R
A A Balkema, 1986
TA455.G44.G3
Britto, A M and Gunn, M J
E Horwood, 1987
TA710.B7
An Introduction to the Mechanics of Soils and Foundations
Atkinson, J H
McGraw Hill, 1993
TA710.A8
Embankments on Soft Clays
Leroueil, S, Magnan, J-P and Tavenas,
E Horwood, 1990F
TA760.L3
Geotextiles Handbook
Ingold, T S and Miller, K S
T Telford, 1988
Azizi, F
E&FN Spon, 1999
TA705.A9
Soil Behaviour and Critical
Wood, D M
CUP, 1990
State Soil Mechanics
TA710.W6
Geotextiles and Geomembranes in Civil Engineering
Veldhuijzen van, Zanten, R
A A Balkema, 1986
TA455.G44.G3
Further Reading
Critical State Soil Mechanics via Finite ElementsBritto, A M and Gunn, M J
E Horwood, 1987
TA710.B7
An Introduction to the Mechanics of Soils and Foundations
Atkinson, J H
McGraw Hill, 1993
TA710.A8
Embankments on Soft Clays
Leroueil, S, Magnan, J-P and Tavenas,
E Horwood, 1990F
TA760.L3
Geotextiles Handbook
Ingold, T S and Miller, K S
T Telford, 1988
Copyright Cardiff University.
Registered charity no. 1136855