Soil Mechanics

Course aim

To introduce students to the fundamental concepts of soil and rock engineering, and to geotechnical design.

Course content

Introduction to terminology, engineering soil classification, seepage and compaction, stresses in soil masses due to external loads and pore water pressures, consolidation and excess pore water pressures; strength and stiffness; gravity retaining walls; analysis of slopes with pore water pressures; immediate settlements; total settlement; design of shallow footings for bearing capacity; design of deep footings; site investigations, rock testing; rock mass classification; stress theories and strength criteria; slope stability.

Textbook(s)

Smith, I., Smith's Elements of Soil Mechanics, current edition, Blackwell Publishing

Prerequisite(s)

The prerequisite courses are not applicable to postgraduate students.

Corequisite(s)

Teaching method

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Assessment

Report, Skills demonstration, Test/Quiz, Viva Voce

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.125
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 2)
To determine the fee for this course as part of a Commonwealth Supported program, go to:
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Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
Non-award tuition fees are set by the university. To determine the cost of this course, go to:
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Not all courses are available on all of the above bases, and students must check to ensure that they are permitted to enrol in a particular course.

* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.