At the end of the course, the student will be able to
- characterize the soils in triaxial cell;
- model a soil using laboratory test results;
- implement and solve constitutive equations in a continuum solver for infrastructure/building design;
- design of a number of challenging geotechnical engineering problems;
- choose the most suitable technique to improve the behaviour of a given soil.
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All civil engineering structures are founded on the ground. Soil Mechanics is therefore an essential element in the design of the built environment, whether it forms the foundation of structures or it is used as building material, such as for embankments and dams, cuttings, roads, channels and waterways, railways, mining infrastructure or waste disposal facilities. Soil Mechanics provides a common language for describing the nature and engineering behaviour of soils. It describes the theoretical and empirical framework on which geotechnical engineering design is based.
The introductory BSc Soil Mechanics course (CiT-M5) has introduced the fundamental concepts of soil mechanics theory, the hydraulic behaviour of soils and its application to civil engineering design.
This advanced course focuses on the theoretical and quasi-theoretical approaches for solving problems in the broad soil mechanics areas of stress analysis and consolidation theory. The connection between physical and theoretical modelling is explored, as well as the applicability in engineering practice.
The primary objectives of the course are: (i) to better understand fundamental aspects of the stress-strain response of soil, (ii) to study constitutive models to describe the stress-strain behaviour of soil, (iii) to expose the student to the interpretation of advanced laboratory tests and (iv) to learn through case studies and application, how soil should be considered in civil engineering design.
The proposed topics will include:
- basic elasticity and plasticity theory,
- concept of plastic yielding and failure criteria (Tresca, Mohr-Coulomb, CamClay),
- Critical State Soil Mechanics,
- laboratory and in-situ measurement of soil properties,
- Soil improvement techniques
The course will be delivered through a series of lectures, assignments and selfstudy material. Emphasis will be given to the connection between theoretical framework and laboratory/in-situ testing.
Visiting scientist:
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