Department
of Earth Science |
Northeastern
Illinois University
INTRODUCTION
TO GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
ESCI
340
What will you take
from this course? Course
Outcomes and Objectives
Dr. Sanders
By
the end of this course, you should be able to do the following:
Basic
Geology
* Describe characteristics of the three major
classes
of rocks, and their major sub-types.
* Describe six major environments of soil formation
and the characteristics of soils that form in each.
* Describe the engineering importance of discontinuities
such as fractures, joints, and bedding planes.
* Use the orientation of discontinuities to assess
the possibility of slope instability.
Engineering Properties of Soil
* Define and describe the major engineering
properties
of soil, such as moisture content, degree of saturation, void ratio,
porosity,
unit weight, density, and the like.
* Estimate engineering properties of a soil using
grain size distribution data.
Soil Classification and Description
* Classify soil using the USDA, AASHTO, and USCS
systems, based on grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, and
visual-manual
classification.
* Write a field description of a soil sample.
Site Exploration
* Conduct a site exploration using techniques of
literature search, aerial photographs, and field reconnaissance.
* Describe and recognize different techniques of
subsurface exploration (e.g. hand augering, solid stem augering, hollow
stem augering, rock coring).
* Specify the number, type, and depth of soil borings
to be made at a site.
* Describe subsurface sampling techniques (e.g.
Shelby tube, heavy-walled samplers).
* Describe the Standard Penetration Test, and interpret
SPT results.
* Use data from boring logs to construct a geologic
cross section.
Earthwork
* Describe the steps involved in earthwork.
* Identify various pieces of heavy equipment used
in earthwork.
* Describe the Proctor compaction test and interpret
test results.
Ground
Water
* Describe the hydrologic cycle.
* Explain why ground water flows (even uphill sometimes!)
* List and describe the factors that determine what
direction and how rapidly ground water flows.
* Explain why and how ground water is important
in geotechnical engineering projects.
Quantitative
Skills
* Solve geomathematical problems involving varied and
diverse units of measurement, and be able to convert between units
*
Using quantitative terms, formulate mathematical expressions
for and solutions to problems related to water flow rates, discharge
rates,
volumes, areas, and depths
*
Apply the following quantitative skills: algebraic manipulation,
use of scientific notation, use of exponents and logarithms,
construction
and interpretation of graphs, contouring, interpolation and
extrapolation,
and use of significant figures
Critical Thinking/ Non-Content-Based
Skills
* Evaluate the validity and reliability of disparate data
sources, especially when they provide conflicting information
*
Evaluate quantitative solutions to geotechnical engineering
problems to determine if they fall within a reasonable range of values
*
Evaluate quantitative solutions to geotechnical engineering
problems to estimate sources of uncertainty and magnitude of error.
Department
of Earth Science | Northeastern
Illinois
University
© 2007 Laura L. Sanders. Last updated
January 9, 2007.