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AR40324: Advanced geotechnical engineering

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2012/3
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 6
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Semester 2
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 20%, EX 80%
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take AR30083
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims:
To give a knowledge and understanding of a range of more advanced geotechnical engineering problems than are covered in the core units.

Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to demonstrate:
* a depth of understanding of the problems studied, and their relationship to design and construction.
* a systematic understanding of this knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of this area of professional practice; and,
* conceptual understanding that enables the student to evaluate critically current practice and new developments, and propose new solutions.

Skills:
Intellectual skills
* To understand taught material - taught Professional/Practical skills
* Analytical and design skills related to the material covered - assessed Transferable/key skills
* To communicate ideas verbally and in writing - facilitated and assessed.

Content:
The 'trees and foundations' problem - coping with uncertainty. Introduction to rock mechanics, stability of cut slopes. Seismic design of reinforced soil constructions. Advanced modelling of soils: Yield and failure criteria, soil plasticity, coupled shear and volumetric behaviour, and the CamClay model. Advanced site investigation techniques: The Cone Penetration Test (CPT), applied geophysical testing including electrical and seismic methods.
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

AR40324 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering
  • UEAR-AFM07 : MEng (hons) Civil Engineering (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEAR-AKM07 : MEng (hons) Civil Engineering (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 5

AR40324 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering
  • UEAR-AFM03 : MEng (hons) Civil and Architectural Engineering (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEAR-AKM03 : MEng (hons) Civil and Architectural Engineering (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 5

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2012/13 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2013/14 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2012/13.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.