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Course & Unit Catalogues


AR20523: Soil mechanics and foundation design

[Page last updated: 23 October 2023]

Academic Year: 2023/24
Owning Department/School: Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering
Credits: 10 [equivalent to 20 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 200
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: CWPG 25%, EXOB 75%
Assessment Detail:
  • Soil mechanics and foundations examination (EXOB 75%)
  • Internaiton infrastructure design group project (CWPG 25%)
Supplementary Assessment:
AR20523 - Coursework - Individual design report (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of the unit, you will be able to:
  • Explain and apply the concepts and principles of soil mechanics. (K1)
  • Apply your knowledge of engineering principles to propose foundation designs, when incomplete information is available. (K3,I1)
  • Discuss and assess the selection of appropriate foundation type and construction based upon design constraints (K2)
  • Within a team, integrate your knowledge of foundation design and construction in an unfamiliar design context and reflect upon your design choices. (PT2,I1)



Synopsis: Develop your understanding of the behaviour of soil, and the factors that influence that behaviour. You will learn how to apply principles of soil mechanics to the design of shallow and deep foundations and how the necessary information is obtained in practice.

Content: Soil classification and description;
Volumetric relations;
Total and effective stress;
Drained and undrained loading;
Soil shear strength;
Site investigation and in-situ testing;
Elastic settlement;
Soil consolidation and compressibility;
Shallow foundation design;
Pile foundation design;
Seepage and flow through soils.

Course availability:

AR20523 is a Must Pass Unit on the following courses:

Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering
  • UEAR-AFB11 : BEng(Hons) Civil Engineering (Year 2)
  • UEAR-AKB11 : BEng(Hons) Civil Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UEAR-AFB12 : BEng(Hons) Structural and Architectural Engineering (Year 2)
  • UEAR-AKB12 : BEng(Hons) Structural and Architectural Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UEAR-AFM11 : MEng(Hons) Civil Engineering (Year 2)
  • UEAR-AKM11 : MEng(Hons) Civil Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UEAR-AFM12 : MEng(Hons) Structural and Architectural Engineering (Year 2)
  • UEAR-AKM12 : MEng(Hons) Structural and Architectural Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2023/24.
  • Courses and units are subject to change 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.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.