1.Review rock types, their formation and uses within civil engineering (SM1p, EP2p, EP4p)
Knowledge and Understanding, Learning, Analysis


2.Explore and classify soils to current codes of practice (ET1p, ET2p, ET4p, ET5p, ET6p, EP4p, EP5p, EP6p)
Knowledge and Understanding, Analysis, Application


3.Analyse soil properties determined by geotechnical procedures
(SM2p, EA2p, EA3p, D3p, EP2p, EP7p, GSb)

Analysis Application,


4.Produce a proposal to address identified geotechnical weaknesses and problems. (SM1p, SM2p, SM3p, EA1p, EA4p, D4p, D6p, ET4p, ET5p, ET6p, EP1p, EP4p, EP7p, GSa, GSc, GSd)

Analysis, Communication, Reflection

Specific assessments will be contextualised to reflect the context of relevant practical workplace or employer delivery
Written/Practical (LO1, LO2, LO3)
Throughout this assessment students will explore methods and techniques used in ground and site investigation, soil sampling, soil descriptions and soil classifications to current codes of practice. They will also explore how soils are classified from soil particle size, soil types, specific gravity and plasticity indices to current codes of practice. From this, students will evaluate methods and techniques used in ground and site investigation and soil sampling, and evaluate how soil properties are determined, including moisture content, density, specific gravity, shear strength compressibility, liquid and plasticity indices, California bearing ratio.

Presentation (LO4)
In this assessment students will justify the approach to a design proposal in meeting identified geotechnical weaknesses and problems.

This module explores the essential relationship between civil engineering and the Earth’s crust, in the support of built structures and highways. The ability to understand, evaluate and develop solutions, related to soil and rock, is a key aspect of civil and structural engineering. Topics included in this module are:
• rock types,
• soil description and classification,
• methods and techniques used when undertaking site investigations and laboratory testing,
• determination of soil properties and
• the importance of these geotechnical procedures and resultant findings to civil engineers.

A package of lectures and practical sessions:
Lectures will introduce key topics and concepts with tutor-assisted practical sessions. In the practical sessions you will get hands-on experience of the principles taught in the lectures. Academic learning will be achieved through reading around the subject area. Module tutors will suggest useful texts, though many others will be suitable and can be found in our e-library. If you require help understanding any of the concepts, you may contact your module tutor for assistance.

Indicative reading list for the module is:
BARNES, G. E. (2016), Soil Mechanics: Principles and Practice, 4th Edn, Red Globe Press.

BROOKS, H., (2018) Basics of Retaining Wall Design: A design guide for earth retaining structures, 11th Edn, HBA Publics, CA.

GRIBBLE, C., McLEAN, A., Geology for Civil Engineers, 2nd Edn, 2nd Edn, CRC Press.

KNAPPETT, J. (2019) Craig’s Soil Mechanics, CRC Press.

Resources for this module include:
• Computers,
• Smart Board,
• White Boards,
• Tablets,
• Digital Virtual Learning Platform,
• Worksheets,
• Videos,
• Guest Speakers