Advanced Geomechanics CPD
This module will provide an introduction to the engineering properties of soils and rocks.
Advanced Geomechanics programme
Dates: Monday 16 September - Wednesday 5 October 2023
Venue: Newcastle University
About the programme
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. You will also perform standard laboratory tests in soil and rock description and classification.
You will:
- be introduced to the range of earth materials and structures that may be encountered in engineering geology and geotechnical engineering
- enhance your knowledge and understanding of the behaviour and properties of these materials
- study these materials and their impact on geotechnical structures and their design
As part of this module, we will introduce students to ground investigation and objectives, including:
- Desk study
- Exploration techniques
- Laboratory testing and fundamental principles
- Application
- Critical state theory and soil behaviour
- Soil dynamics
Lectures
Introduction to ground investigation and objectives
Desk Study:
- site reconnaissance, requirements, and legislation including contaminated land
- design of a ground investigation
Exploration techniques:
- shallow and deep exploration techniques
- sampling techniques: In Situ tests, field permeability tests, geophysical tests, and pressure meter test
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. This includes 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 critical state theory
- introduction to physical and numerical modelling
- introduction to basic rock constitutive laws
Understanding of the concepts and principles underlying critical state theory and partially saturated behaviour.
Introduction to:
- characteristics of soil behaviour and critical state-based framework
- surface tension
- capillarity
- effective stress in saturates soil, suction, and water retention
Soil Dynamics:
- evaluate the effects of cyclic loading on soil stiffness and strength behaviour
- quantifying small-strain stiffness using advanced laboratory techniques
For further information
If you have any queries about our CPD programme please email llahub@ncl.ac.uk.