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Formation, properties, description and representation of soils. Stress and strain in soils. Deformation and failure of soils. Engineered soil slope stability and foundation analysis. Underground excavation and ground treatment in soil.
ENGE413 introduces the fundamental principles of soil mechanics and their application in engineering geology practice. Concepts covered in this course include soil characterisation, effective stress, volume change, 1D consolidation, shear strength, before progressing to the application of these theories in settlement problems, earthworks, slope stability, and liquefaction analysis. Case studies will be included to demonstrate the importance of soil mechanics in professional practice. In Term 3 of the course students will spend time learning soil mechanics fundamentals and gain experience in common soil laboratory tests and interpretation of test data. During Term 4, students will use numerical and analytical methods to evaluate soil engineering problems and develop engineering solutions for slopes, liquefiable ground and foundation design.
- Be familiar with physical, mechanical, dynamic and hydraulic properties of soils, and be competent with methods of soil testing (both in situ and laboratory).- Understand concepts of compaction and consolidation, soil test methods for earthworks, and related design issues in granular and clay-rich soils.- Apply fundamental soil mechanics to conduct simplified bearing capacity assessments in a range of geological condition.- Understand the fundamentals of soil slope stability, slope retention, and design methods- Understand how to conduct simplified liquefaction assessment and interpret the practical implications assessment outputs
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Employable, innovative and enterprising
Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.
Globally aware
Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.
(1) MATH101 or MATH102 or MATH103 and (2) approval from the Head of Department of Geological Sciences
ENCN253; ENGE 485
Students must attend one activity from each section.
One lecture per week
Katherine Yates
Recommended textbook(s):- Barnes, G. E; Soil mechanics : principles and practice ; 2nd ed; Macmillan, 2000.- Das, Braja M; Principles of geotechnical engineering ; 5th ed; Brooks Cole/Thompson Learning, 2002.- Fell, Robin. , MacGregor, Patrick., Stapledon, David; Geotechnical engineering of embankment dams ; Balkema, 1992.
Domestic fee $1,286.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
This course will not be offered if fewer than 10 people apply to enrol.
For further information see School of Earth and Environment on the departments and faculties page .