CE 38000 - Soil Mechanics

Introduction to the nature and origin of soil and rocks; engineering classification of soil; soil compaction; permeability and seepage, engineering behavior and properties of soils; compressibility; and introduction to shear strength of soil, lateral earth pressure, and soil-bearing capacity for foundations.

Preparation for Course
P: CE 25200.

P or C: CE 31800 and 38100.

Cr. 3.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Understand the origin of the soil and geological cycle.
2. Apply principles of phase diagram for soil properties and perform basic weight-volume calculations.
3. Understand consistency of soil-Atterberg limits.
4. Understand and use AASHTO method for soil and classification.
5. Understand and use Unified Soil Classification System for soil classification.
6. Understand the basic science oof soil compaction.
7. Understand basics principles of flow and soil permeability through porous media including Bernoulli’s equation, Darcy’s Law, Hydraulic conductivity.
8. Understand seepage in soil include Laplace equation of continuity.
9. Construct flow nets for water flow calculations.
10. Calculate in situ stress in saturated soil with and without seepage, seepage force, and implement measures to control heave in soil.
11. Understand how stresses are transferred through soils and be able to compute both geostatic and induced stresses due to point , line, and area loads.
12. Estimate the amount of consolidation and settlement and time required for settlement under a given load.
13. Basic knowledge of shear strength principles.
14. Basic understanding of Lateral Earth Pressure concept and theory.
15. Understand the basic concept of ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundations.