Geomechanics
Unit code: HES2155
| Credit points | 12.5 Credit Points |
| Duration | 1 Semester |
| Contact hours | 57 hours |
| Campus | Hawthorn, Sarawak |
| Prerequisites | HES2120 Structural Mechanics |
| Corequisites | Nil |
Aims and objectives
This unit of study aims to introduce you to basic, geological principles, engineering properties of soils and their importance to Civil Engineering projects. You will be able to identify soil and rock specimens, construct simple geological cross sections, carry out a basic site investigation, and determine various strength and compressibility parameters of soils.
After successfully completing this unit, you should be able to:
1. Interpret the geological rock cycle and be able to identify common rock forming minerals, basic types of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. (K1, K3, S1)
2. Interpret geological maps by constructing detailed geological cross-sections. (K1, K3, S2, A2)
3. Determine physical engineering properties of sediments (soils) and apply these quantities to phase relationships and the soil model. (K1, K2, K3, S1, S2)
1. Interpret the geological rock cycle and be able to identify common rock forming minerals, basic types of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. (K1, K3, S1)
2. Interpret geological maps by constructing detailed geological cross-sections. (K1, K3, S2, A2)
3. Determine physical engineering properties of sediments (soils) and apply these quantities to phase relationships and the soil model. (K1, K2, K3, S1, S2)
4. Perform a mechanical (sieve) analysis and a series of soil index tests on a soil in order to determine its particle size distribution plot and Atterberg limits according to Australian Standard AS1289, and classify the soil via Australian Standard AS1726. (K1, K2, K3, K6, S1, S2, S3, A2, A7)
5. Appreciate the basic concepts of water flow through soil in order to construct simple flow nets and estimate relevant discharge calculations for various ground structures. (K1, K2, K3, S2, A2)
6. Appreciate the effective stress concept in soils and be able to calculate total stresses, effective stresses and pore pressures for various ground conditions. (K1, K2, K3, S1, S2)
7. Determine changes in soil stresses due to external point loads, line loads, loaded areas, uniform and non-uniform strip loads using elastic theory. (K1, K2, K3, S1, S2)
8. Determine soil strength parameters from a range of physical field and/or laboratory test. (K1, K2, K3, K6, S1, S2, S3, A2, A7)
9. Estimate immediate and consolidation settlements from various external loading combinations. (K1, K2, K3, S1, S2)
5. Appreciate the basic concepts of water flow through soil in order to construct simple flow nets and estimate relevant discharge calculations for various ground structures. (K1, K2, K3, S2, A2)
6. Appreciate the effective stress concept in soils and be able to calculate total stresses, effective stresses and pore pressures for various ground conditions. (K1, K2, K3, S1, S2)
7. Determine changes in soil stresses due to external point loads, line loads, loaded areas, uniform and non-uniform strip loads using elastic theory. (K1, K2, K3, S1, S2)
8. Determine soil strength parameters from a range of physical field and/or laboratory test. (K1, K2, K3, K6, S1, S2, S3, A2, A7)
9. Estimate immediate and consolidation settlements from various external loading combinations. (K1, K2, K3, S1, S2)
Swinburne Engineering Competencies for this Unit of Study
This Unit of Study will contribute to you attaining the following Swinburne Engineering Competencies:
K1 Basic Science: Proficiently applies concepts, theories and techniques of the relevant natural and physical sciences.
K2 Maths and IT as Tools: Proficiently uses relevant mathematics and computer and information science concepts as tools.
K3 Discipline Specific: Proficiently applies advanced technical knowledge of the specific discipline within that context.
K6 Professional Practice: Appreciates the principles of professional engineering practice in a sustainable context.
S1 Engineering Methods: Applies engineering methods in practical applications.
S2 Problem Solving: Systematically uses engineering methods in solving complex problems.
S3 Design: Systematically uses engineering methods in design.
A2 Communication: Demonstrates effective communication to professional and wider audiences.
A7 Teamwork: Demonstrates effective team membership and team leadership.
This Unit of Study will contribute to you attaining the following Swinburne Engineering Competencies:
K1 Basic Science: Proficiently applies concepts, theories and techniques of the relevant natural and physical sciences.
K2 Maths and IT as Tools: Proficiently uses relevant mathematics and computer and information science concepts as tools.
K3 Discipline Specific: Proficiently applies advanced technical knowledge of the specific discipline within that context.
K6 Professional Practice: Appreciates the principles of professional engineering practice in a sustainable context.
S1 Engineering Methods: Applies engineering methods in practical applications.
S2 Problem Solving: Systematically uses engineering methods in solving complex problems.
S3 Design: Systematically uses engineering methods in design.
A2 Communication: Demonstrates effective communication to professional and wider audiences.
A7 Teamwork: Demonstrates effective team membership and team leadership.
Assessment
| Types | Individual or Group Assessment | Weighting |
| Geological Mapping Assignment | Individual | 0% - 10% |
| Test(s) | Individual | 10% - 20% |
| Laboratory Reports | Individual & Group | 10% - 30% |
| Examination | Individual | 50% - 70% |
Content
Basic Geology and Geological Mapping (20%)
- Introduction to Geology, Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering and their role in Civil Engineering projects
- The Rock Cycle – the role of magma, the formation and identification of igneous rocks, the weathering process, formation of sediments, formation and identification of sedimentary rocks, and the formation and identification of metamorphic rocks
- Basic Structural Geological Formations and Basic Geological Mapping
- Brief Geological Overview of Victoria and Melbourne areas
Engineering Properties and Classification of Soils (20%)
- Definition of Soil (Clay, Silt, Sand, Gravel, Cobbles and Boulders) as per Australian Standard
- Structure of Soil by Phase Relationships, including Weight – Volume Relationships, Water Content, Void Ratio, Porosity, Degree of Saturation, and Specific Gravity
- Mechanical Analysis of Soil (particle size determination) and classification of coarse-grained soils
- Consistency of fine grained soils by index tests and classification of fine grained soils
- Overall Soil Classification in accordance with Australian Standard: AS1726-1993
Soil Hydraulics (10%)
- Water flow through soils, including the Bernoulli's principle and the determination of soil permeability coefficients from field and laboratory methods
- Basic flow net analysis
Geostatic Stresses and the Shear Strength of Soil (30%)
- Effective Stress Law (Total Stress, Effective Stress and Pore Pressures)
- Stresses in a Soil Mass – caused by point loads and loaded areas
- Normal and Shear Stress on a Plane: Pole Method and Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criteria. Laboratory and Field Tests to Determine Shear Strength of Soils: Direct Shear Test, Unconsolidated Undrained Triaxial Test, Consolidated Drained Triaxial Test
- Consolidated Undrained Triaxial Test, Unconfined Compression Test, Vane Shear Test and Penetrometer Tests
Compressibility of Soils (20%)
- Immediate Settlement based on Elastic Theory
- Consolidation Theory and One-Dimensional Consolidation Test
- Consolidation Settlement, Time Rate of Consolidation and Coefficient of Consolidation
Reading materials
Coduto, D. P. (1998). Geotechnical Engineering, Prentice Hall.Craig, R. F. (1997). Soil Mechanics, 6th edn, E & FN Spon.
Das, B. M. (1998). Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, 4th edn, PWS.
Holtz, R. D. & Kovacs, W. D. et al (2011). An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering, 2nd edn. Prentice Hall.
Whitlow, R (2001). Basic Soil Mechanics, 4th edn, Prentice Hall.
