CEG8201 : Geomechanics
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Sadegh Nadimi
- Lecturer: Professor Mohamed Rouainia
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The aim of this module is to introduce the basic skills and knowledge required by an engineering geologist or geotechnical engineer.
Students should be able to understand the key concepts and principles in mechanics of soils that will allow them to proceed at a later stage to geotechnical design.
Students will be introduced to critical state theory and advanced laboratory techniques for soil characterision.
Summary
This module will provide an introduction to the engineering properties of soils and rocks. Students will learn about the range of exploration and testing techniques available to geotechnical engineers.
Students will perform standard laboratory tests in soil description and classification.
Students will be introduced to the range of earth materials and structures that may be encountered in engineering geology and geotechnical engineering; enhance their knowledge and understanding of the engineering behaviour and properties of these materials; and their impact on geotechnical structures and their design.
Outline Of Syllabus
Laboratory Testing and fundamental principles: Basic characteristics of soils and rocks, laboratory sampling, particle size and shape distribution; Permeability, consolidation and shear strength;
Students will undertake standard soil testing procedures, including determination of Atterberg Limits, PSD, permeability, shear strength parameters, compaction and consolidation properties.
Application: Effective stress; Seepage of water and flow nets; Calculation of settlement; Introduction to concept and principles underlying critical state theory.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 7 | 3:00 | 21:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 4 | 8:00 | 32:00 | Coursework preparation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 3 | 1:30 | 4:30 | Lab practicals in small groups |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 3 | 2:00 | 6:00 | Tutorials |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 5 | 2:00 | 10:00 | Structured guided learning |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 26:30 | 26:30 | Includes background reading and reading lecture notes for a full understanding of the material |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Mechanical and mathematical knowledge is delivered through formal lecture classes supported by practical exercises. Practical skills such as soil description are developed through practical classes. Students are expected to acquire knowledge and understanding through reflection on taught material and through undertaking independent learning. Students acquire practical skills through active participation in the practical class exercises and field work.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 30 | Group Coursework - student will be expected to produce a laboratory report including the calculation and interpretation of soil and rock (1000 words or equivalent) |
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 70 | Individual Coursework (2000 words or equivalent) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Each student will submit an electronic report summarising the results of laboratory tests. The data will be interpreted to produce a discussion on site condition.
Students’ acquisition of knowledge and understanding of fundamentals are assessed through individual coursework
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CEG8201's Timetable