CEG8202 : Ground Investigation - Design, Principles and Practice
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Jean Hall
- 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
1. Students should be able to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of ground engineering in designing a ground investigation.
2. Students should be able to demonstrate an ability to organise a desk study and site reconnaissance to assemble and appraise data to design a ground investigation.
3. Students should be able to describe risk assessment and methods in the context of ground investigations.
4. Students should be able to develop, in stages, a conceptual ground model in context of ground engineering risk to a geotechnical engineering project.
Summary:
This module will provide an introduction to the design and philosophy of geotechnical site investigations and a legislation element incorporating contaminated land. Students will learn about the range of exploration and testing techniques available to geotechnical engineers. Students will also learn how investigations are planned and how the results of investigations relate to the design process.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module will cover the key concept areas of:
Philosophy and Design, What is ground investigation, Reasons for ground investigation, The objectives, The design process, The requirements, legislation;
Desk studies and Site reconnaissance
Design of a ground investigation; Exploratory Hole techniques Sampling, Other In Situ Tests, Field Permeability Tests, Geophysical Tests, Laboratory Tests, Soil Behaviour and its relation to soil testing;
Reporting the results and development of the Conceptual Ground Model;
Costing of an investigation: Bill of Quantities and Risk Assessment.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 25:00 | 25:00 | Coursework preparation – conceptual model and ground investigation design report |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Guest lecture context presentations |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Coursework preparation – presentation and desk study |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 9 | 2:00 | 18:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | Soil and Rock Description |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 13 | 1:00 | 13:00 | Lecture follow-up |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Conceptual Model development |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Rigs in Action: Site visit |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Drop in surgery to support CW1 |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 18:00 | 18:00 | Includes background reading and reading lecture notes for a full understanding of the material |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Students will aquire knowledge through lectures, small group teaching activities, directed self study (independent study) and site visits (fieldwork). Skills will be practiced through formative exercises, small group teaching activities and a short group presentation. Ground interpretation and application to investigative techniques will be assessed through an individual coursework exercise.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | 75 | An individual timed piece of coursework which amounts to approx 25hrs of student time in preparation |
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | 25 | Group presentation (15 mins) which amounts to approximately 10 hrs of student time. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | Formative in class exercises |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Design skills, that is, creative and innovative ability through application of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of geotechnics to produce a relevant ground investigation will be developed through formative exercises, coursework and private study. They will be assessed through the production of a major exercise to design and cost an investigation. Individual performance is assessed by peer review, timesheets and continuous assessment.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CEG8202's Timetable