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Soil Mechanics Spreadsheets and Reference

User Guide

The User Guide provides information and guidelines to assist users in


navigating and using the Soil Mechanics Spreadsheets and Reference
materials. It is assumed that users are familiar with the Microsoft software of
Windows 95/98, Word and Excel. In particular, the basic conventions and
protocols in Excel need to be known. For those with more advanced
knowledge it will be possible to re-write or tailor some spreadsheets to suit
specific purposes and needs.

Soil Mechanics Spreadsheets and Reference

User Guide - Contents

SMSR User Guide

1.

About Soil Mechanics Spreadsheets and Reference

2.

Getting started - installing the software


2.1 Hardware and software requirements
2.2 Installing the Soil Mechanics Spreadsheets and Reference files

3.

Using Soil Mechanics Spreadsheets and Reference in teaching

4.

Using the spreadsheets


4.1 Accessing and protecting workbook files
4.2 About the spreadsheets
4.3 Getting on-line help
4.4 Modifying and saving worksheets
4.5 Macros and jumps to other SMSR components
4.6 Obtaining paper printout from spreadsheets

5.

Soil Mechanics Reference


5.1 About Soil Mechanics Reference
5.2 Accessing and navigating in Soil Mechanics Reference
5.3 Soil Mechanics Reference on top or not

6.

Soil Mechanics Glossary


6.1 About Soil Mechanics Glossary
6.2 Accessing and navigating in Soil Mechanics Glossary

7.

Study assignments and learning outcomes


7.1 About the Study Assignments
7.2 Using the Study Assignments
7.3 Aims, objectives and learning outcomes
7.4 Copying and printing

8.

Self-assessment quizzes and monitoring


8.1 About Soil Mechanics Quizzes
8.2 Accessing and navigating in Soil Mechanics Quizzes
8.3 Suggestions for monitoring and testing

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About Soil Mechanics Spreadsheets and Reference

Soil Mechanics Spreadsheets and Reference is a package of teaching/learning materials for


use by students of civil, structural and geotechnical engineering, engineering geology, building
technology and engineering, architecture and related disciplines. The package contains:

Sets of interactive spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel) in soil mechanics and


related topics
An on-screen Soil Mechanics Reference Manual (Windows Help files)
An on-screen Soil Mechanics Glossary of terms and symbols (Windows
Help file)
On-screen Soil Mechanics Quizzes for student self-assessment (Windows
Help files)
Sets of Study Assignments some of which are associated with the use of the
spreadsheets (Word docs.)
This Soil Mechanics Spreadsheets and Reference User Guide (Word doc.)

2.
2.1

Getting started - installing the software


Hardware and software requirements

All of the Soil Mechanics Spreadsheets and Reference software runs on conventional desktop,
laptop or notebook computers via Microsoft Windows. A screen resolution of 800x600 pixels or
640x480 pixels is recommended and there should be at least 4 Mb of RAM and 6 Mb of hard
disc space available. A compact disc player or DVD player will be required. All of the programs
and files can be accessed and run directly from the compact disc, or they can be down-loaded to a
hard disc. All down-loaded files should be held in a folder named C:\SMSS.
The spreadsheets are designed to run in Microsoft Excel, Version 7.0 or later. Document files
(i.e. those appended .doc) should ideally be run in Microsoft Word, Version 7.0a or later. Some
of these can be viewed in a number of other file viewing utilities, e.g. WordPad,Adobe Acrobat,
etc.. The individual licence restriction applies also to these files: they must be printed only for the
personal use of the licence holder or for limited in-class teaching.

2.2
(a)

Installing the Soil Mechanics Spreadsheets and Reference files


To install the complete set of files
The complete set of SMSR files is contained in two folders named Assignments and
WkBooks. It will be easier to access and use the various components if they are all
installed on your computers hard disc in a folder named C:\SMSS.
Note that to use SMSR as a suite of components, accessed from the contents file
(SMSRcontents.hlp) and with inter-linked access, the complete set must be installed on
your hard drive.
1.

For individual Spreadsheets, open the sub-folder named Wkbooks.


Double-click on the file you want to open; the file opens in Excel.
The file WkbkList.xls lists all of the spreadsheets workbooks.

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3.
4.
5.

For individual Help Files, open the sub-folder named SmsrHelp


Double-click on the file you want to open.
For individual Study Assignments, open the sub-folder named Assignments.
Double-click on the file you want to open: the file opens in Word.
The file SMSRAssignList.doc lists all of the study assignments..
For the User Guide, open the sub-folder named UserGuide.
Double-click on the file to open it: the file opens in Word.

NOTE: All of the files on the CD have been saved as read only files and protection is switched
on for all of the spreadsheet files.
The Word files are all appended .doc and may be printed if required.

3 Using Soil Mechanics Spreadsheets and Reference in teaching


Soil Mechanics Spreadsheets and Reference is designed to be an interactive, editable
teaching/learning resource. It is not meant to replace conventional methods, but to supplement
them; it is not intended as a substitute for textbooks or other reference material. The components
of the package are simple and easy to use either on single PCs or networks. Students will be able
to work at their own pace and according to their own style of learning; they will be able to study
material in depth or simply browse. Numerous calculations can be completed at very short study
sessions; repetition and experimentation can assist in the exploration of ideas and concepts; a
number of laboratory routines and material tests can be simulated; some spreadsheets are
designed to receive students own data.
The spreadsheets are written in standard Microsoft Exceland as such will run via Windows
95/98+ without conversion. All of the spreadsheets are initially saved as read-only files or are
otherwise protected from accidental corruption. However, all are editable using the tools
available in Excel. Teachers are invited to customise some or all of the spreadsheets to suit their
own purposes: modified versions can be saved easily under different filenames. Similarly,
students and teachers can rename and save spreadsheets containing their own data.
The SMSR components can be used in conjunction with other teaching methods, or can form
the basis of student-centred learning programmes encompassing single or multiple topics. The
subjects and topics covered are those likely to be encountered in a range of first degree syllabuses
in civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, construction engineering, architecture and related
disciplines. Since the SMSR package accompanies Basic Soil Mechanics also by Roy Whitlow
(published by Prentice Hall, part of Pearson Education, 4th edition 2000), the subject/topic scope
and coverage are broadly similar. The textbook and the SMSR materials are meant to
complement each other and so there are numerous cross-references.

4 Using the spreadsheets


4.1

Accessing and protecting workbook files

The spreadsheets are assembled in Workbooks each of which is appended .xls, the standard
Excel workbook file extension. Each workbook can be open individually from the sub-folder
C:\SMSS\Wkbooks. In addition, all of the workbooks and their component worksheets
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(spreadsheets) are listed in a file named WkbkList.xls, also to be found in sub-folder
C:\SMSS\Wkbooks. Each workbook can be open directly from WkbkList.xls. This is done by
highlighting the workbook filename in column one and then clicking on the button labelled Open
Workbook.
Remember, the workbooks have been initially saved on the CD and subsequently installed on
the hard disc as read-only files and are protected. It is strongly recommended that the files kept
in C:\SMSS are left as read-only. Any workbooks that users wish to alter in any way should
first be saved under another filename and preferably in another folder or sub-folder. This
particularly applies to those workbooks containing spreadsheets designed to receive data. Any
workbooks that become accidentally corrupted or altered can be reinstalled individually from the
CD (refer to Section 2.2 Installing the Soil Mechanics Spreadsheets and Reference files.

4.2

About the spreadsheets

The spreadsheets are interactive and intended for (mainly) individual use by students. Some
are designed to demonstrate principles and concepts of soil behaviour, some to enable
manipulation of data, some to simulate test and other routines, some to receive test data. The
vast majority of the spreadsheets are either self-explanatory or contain instructions. Some of the
Study Assignments are designed to be used with specific spreadsheets and contain instructions
and guidelines.
Teachers should familiarise themselves with the range of spreadsheets and the topics they
cover, together with the associated Study Assignments, and then try to align these with their
course objectives and desired learning outcomes (see also Section 7 below). Students should be
encouraged to make both formal and informal use of all of the materials, including the
spreadsheets. After following regulated initial instructions on use, manipulation, etc. within a
topic area, exploration and experimentation can often be both extending and rewarding. Many
what if? exercises can be launched quickly and with almost instantaneous results.

4.3

Getting on-line help

Each spreadsheet contain three buttons; by clicking on one these users can access the
following instantly:
(i) SMSS HELP
Will open Soil Mechanics Reference at an appropriate topic page,
which will give information about the topic being investigated.
(ii) SM Glossary
Will open Soil Mechanics Glossary, which is a comprehensive
list of terms and symbols in alphabetical order - click on an
initial letter.
(iii) List of Workbooks Will open the list of workbooks (WkbkList.xls) so that another
workbook can be opened

4.4

Modifying and saving worksheets

Before a spreadsheet can be modified and re-saved, its read-only status must be amended.
The best way to do this is the leave the original file as read-only and re-save the file to be
modified under a different filename - preferably in a different folder. The re-named re-saved file
will not now be read only. However, each spreadsheet in the re-named workbook will still be
protected, except for those cells that were left unprotected for the user to enter data.
To unprotect a spreadsheet:
(i)
Open the spreadsheet by clicking on the tab at the bottom of the screen.
(ii) Click on Tools in the top menus bar and then click on Protection.
(iii) Click on Unprotect Sheet.
After modifying the sheet, ensure that you re-protect it, before re-saving it:
(i)
Click on Tools, then Protection, then Protect Sheet.
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(ii)
(iii)

In the dialogue box that opens, type a password if required or leave blank.
Click on OK.

When modifying sheets more than trivially, be sure to add protection afterwards; but also
remember to use the Format menus to correctly set the attributes of cells that are to receive data,
e.g. remove the tick mark against locked in the Protection menu.
Both teachers and students alike can extend the range of the spreadsheets by modifying them
to suit their own requirements. Just take care not to accidentally alter any of the original files.

4.5

Macros and jumps to other SMSR components

When one of the buttons is clicked on an Excel macro is activated. In some cases, the results
will be the appearance of a window containing a page in Soil Mechanics Reference or the Soil
Mechanics Glossary; or another Workbook will be opened; in some cases a calculation routine or
sequence may be started, or a dialogue box will open. Nearly all of the individual spreadsheets
make use of macros and these play an fundamental part in the spreadsheet operations within a
Workbook. Macros are small programs written in Excel Visual Basic and they are contained in
Modules included in each Workbook. Some Workbooks may have modules which also run
dialogue box and similar routines.
If a spreadsheet (worksheet) is moved or copied to another or new Workbook, make sure the
appropriate Module sheet is copied with it, otherwise the macros may not work. Some macros
are designed to operate with a named Worksheet (the name on the tab at the bottom of the screen).
If the Worksheet is re-named, some macros may not work; a useful rule here is to re-name
Workbooks, but retain the names of the included Worksheets.
Macros can be edited or extended, or new ones written. Click on the Module tab and the
module page will open. Users attempting to edit macros should be familiar with Excel Visual
Basic - Help on Visual Basic is available in Excel Help. Some of the macros are relatively
simple, such as those that simply call another SMSR component, and these can be easily
modified. However, there are some macros of a more complex nature, such as those that handle
data transfer, dialogue boxes, incremental routines, calculations, curve fitting, etc. Only users
experienced in writing and handling macros in Excel should attempt to edit these; other users
should obtain advice or help.
For those users who are into spreadsheets there are numerous possibilities. Why not write
some sheets and macros of your own - use the principles, ideas, layouts, etc., provided here and
do it. Even very simple macros routines can be very useful and time-saving. Remember,
however, the earlier advice on saving and filing.

4.6

Obtaining paper printout from spreadsheets

Sections of spreadsheets can be printed using standard laser or inkjet (etc.) printers. It will
first be necessary to set the range of cells to be printed:
(i)
Open the Workbook and then the Worksheet in question.
(ii) Highlight the group(s) of cells to be printed.
(iii) Click on File and then Print Area.. The select Set Print Area.
Now simply follow the normal routine for printing, e.g. type Ctrl + P.
In most of the Worksheets gridlines and row/column headers are not displayed and will not
therefore print. If these are required on a printout they must be switched on. Use the Tools dropdown menu and then select Options and View: check the required boxes and click OK.

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5 Soil Mechanics Reference


5.1

About Soil Mechanics Reference

Soil Mechanics Reference is a subject-orientated reference manual covering a wide range of


subjects and topics in soil mechanics, including most if not all of those likely to be encountered
by students and ordinary practitioners in civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural
engineering and allied disciplines. It is not intended to be a textbook or even an alternative, or to
replace other written material that may (for example) be provided by teachers and lecturers. It is
a reference manual - quickly accessible, easily navigable and succinctly informative. The
subject/topic organisation and titles are similar to those used in Basic Soil Mechanics, the
textbook with which the CD is issued. The terminology and nomenclature (including the use of
symbols) is broadly conventional and is in keeping with current practice, although some
alternative usages are included where appropriate.

5.2

Accessing and navigating in Soil Mechanics Reference

Soil Mechanics Reference can be accessed directly from the SMSR Contents Help file
(C:\SMSS\SMSRcontents.hlp) or from the Worksheets. Soil Mechanics Reference is a set of
Windows Help Files which operate in the conventional way. Once the user is in one of the SMR
files any of the other files can be reached using jumps.
A Windows Help File consists of a number topic pages, each of which is identified with a
unique name. A single topic page is displayed in a current window. A number of hotspots may be
included on a page; by clicking on to a hotspot a jump will be activated to another page. There
are two types of jump: (a) to another page which opens in place of the existing one, and (b) to
pop-up which is a small temporary secondary window (this will close when you click outside it).
Navigation therefore is effected by clicking on to chosen hotspots. Hotspots can be any of:
underlined (in green) text, symbols, formulae, diagrams or buttons. The organisation of topics is
hierarchical, comprising several levels, sub-levels, sub-sub-levels, etc.; to move forward (from
trunk, to branch, to twig, as it were), click on hotspots (usually) below the text on a page; to
move back click on the hotspot right at the top of the page. Continued clicking on the top hotspot
will get you right back to the List of Subjects.

5.3

Soil Mechanics Reference on top or not

The window containing Soil Mechanics Reference will initially appear on top of the current
screen display. If you click outside of the window it will be minimised and a button will appear
on the task bar. To re-open the SMR window, simply click on the task bar button.
You can, if you wish, keep the SMR window on top, i.e. with it permanently overlaying other
windows. To do this, first open the SMR window, and click on Options; select Keep Help on
Top and then On Top. To reverse this option, follow the same sequence, but conclude with Not
On Top.
Also, initially, the SMR window will be displayed as a cascade window, i.e. smaller than the
screen. To maximise (fill the whole screen) the SMR window click on the icon at the top right
corner.

6 Soil Mechanics Glossary

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6.1

About Soil Mechanics Glossary

Soil Mechanics Glossary is basically a dictionary of words, phrases and symbols used in soil
mechanics. The definitions and explanations are broadly conventional, and include observed
current usage in standards, textbooks, journals and other formal publications; one helpful source
has been the Report on symbols, units, definitions and correlations by the ISSMFE (1985 - see
References and bibliography in Basic Soil Mechanics). No claim is made for completeness,
nor for strict adherence to any particular standard. If users have any observations or suggestions
for additions, modification, etc. the Author will be pleased to receive them and perhaps include
them in future issues.

6.2 Accessing and navigating in Soil Mechanics Glossary


The Soil Mechanics Glossary can be accessed directly from the SMSR Contents Help file
(C:\SMSS\SMSRcontents.hlp), from the List of Subjects page in Soil Mechanics Reference, or
from the Worksheets. Soil Mechanics Glossary is a Windows Help File which operates in the
conventional way.
Use the alphabetical index, first of all by clicking on to the initial letter of the word or phrase.
Now scroll down the screen until you reach the required word or phrase (in green and
underlined): click on it. A small pop-up window will appear containing the glossary entry.
To choose another word or phrase, click on the appropriate letter in the non-scrolling region of
the window.

7 Study assignments and learning outcomes


7.1

About the Study Assignments

The main basis of this component is the provision of study exercises for students. The range
of subjects and topics is given below. Study Assignment Sheets are sets of instructions, tasks
and hints to student users; some pages will be in pro-forma style with spaces for entry of values,
recovered information, etc. It is intended that students users will study using a combination of
the Study Assignments, the Soil Mechanics Spreadsheets, the Soil Mechanics Reference Manual,
the Soil Mechanics Glossary and the Soil Mechanics Quizzes. Students are advised to keep
additional notes, to record important key values and to work in methodical manner. Tutors can
easily devise programmes of work using this package. The Study Assignment Sheets and the Soil
Mechanics Spreadsheets are editable. The Soil Mechanics Reference Manual, Glossary and
Quizzes are stand-alone components and therefore can be used within other study
arrangements, e.g. laboratory and other practical work.

7.2

Using the Study Assignments

The Study Assignment Sheets do not constitute a textbook, nor are they intended to be a fully
comprehensive work scheme for soil mechanics. Tutors must provide a curriculum and
programmes of study according to course and individual needs, and also engage students in other
aspects of tuition, e.g. lectures, tutorials, laboratory programmes, field exercise, etc. The
sections included are listed below; these reflect the chapter headings in Basic Soil Mechanic:
A.1
A.2

Origins and composition


Soil classification and description

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A.3a
A.3b
A.4
A.5
A.6a
A.6b
A.6c
A.7
A.8
A.9
A.10
A.11
A.12

7.3

Basic physical soil properties


Compaction of soil
Groundwater, pore pressure and effective stress
Soil permeability and seepage
Stresses and strains in soils
Compression and volume change
Stresses due to applied loading
Measurement of shear strength
Earth pressure and retaining walls
Stability of slopes
Settlement and consolidation
Bearing capacity of foundations
Site investigations and in situ testing

Aims, objectives and learning outcomes

There is often some confusion about the definition of the three terms here: on how they differ
or are defined. Indeed, there is often argument as to whether or not they should be stated at all
for a course, a subject, a topic or any kind of learning exercise. A number of tutors have been
heard to say that they cannot, should not, will not, write a learning objective or outcome for the
things they teach - some express similar feelings towards testing. This user guide is not the place
to debate such issues, except to say that good course planning seems to be most worthwhile.
For what they are worth, the authors interpretations are:
(i) Aims
Broad goals of achievement for those following a course of study and
for those operating it and teaching it.
[e.g. to be able to relate lateral earth pressures to the construction of deep basements]
(ii) Objectives Specific subject or topic goals to be reached at the conclusion of
certain stages of study, that may be tested to establish grades and
awards.
[e.g. to be able to design an embedded retaining wall according to current
standards and
conventions]
(iii) Learning outcomes Specific performance abilities that can be demonstrated by
learners after completing a study exercise.
[e.g. to calculate the lateral earth pressure force at depths below a vertical smooth
wall with no surface
surcharge]

7.4

Copying and printing

The Study Assignment Sheets on the compact disc are in the form of Word document files (i.e.
appended .doc). These can be viewed in Word or a number of other file viewing utilities (e.g.
WordPad,Adobe Acrobat, etc.), or they can be printed for future use. When installed on the
users hard disc, these files are contained in a folder named C:\SMSS\Assigments. As part of the
licence agreement users are permitted to copy for their own use any of the Study Assignment
Sheets or parts of them. Tutors may use the sheets, with or without amendment, for class
exercises within their own courses. The publishers and the author ask that due attribution is
made on any distributed materials. Users are not permitted to sell, loan or otherwise distribute
any of the materials, either in paper, electronic or other from, for commercial gain, or use them
without permission in other publications.

8 Self-assessment quizzes and monitoring

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8.1

About Soil Mechanics Quizzes

In trials of the software many users expressed a desire to see numerous attainment testing and
grading routines included. However, there are limitations associated with computer-based testing.
For example, it is debatable as to whether it should be totally user-orientated or have built-in
performance monitoring. To monitor progress and to seek out problem areas for treatment and
revision are reasonable operational objectives in teaching/learning programmes, and so too may
be attainment grading tests. However, the author feels that mechanisms for such purposes are
best devised separately by course tutors and examiners; and not all will be best placed in
computer routines. The Soil Mechanics Quizzes are therefore designed principally for studentuser use as a means of self-testing their own current understanding and progress; some quizzes or
parts may be adaptable for other purposes if the need is perceived.

8.2

Accessing and navigating in Soil Mechanics Quizzes

The Soil Mechanics Quizzes are all contained in one Windows Help File, named
C:\SMSS\SMQuiz.hlp which can be accessed directly from the SMSR Contents Help file
(C:\SMSS\SMSRcontents.hlp), from the List of Subjects page in Soil Mechanics Reference.
The quizzes are organised under the same headings as the Study Assignments - as listed above.
Each subject heading indicates a group of topic quizzes. From the Subjects page, click on to a
subject and then on to the desired topic. The quiz will open with an introductory page giving
instructions; read these carefully and then click on First question, or to leave this topic click on
Quit.
For each question a number of possible answers are listed (in green and underlined). Consider
the question and then select one of the choices given. If this is a correct answer, you will be given
the choice of going on to the next question or quitting this topic. If your choice was incorrect,
you will be given a tip and asked to try again. You can only progress to the next question after
giving a correct answer.
There is no scoring of correct choices, since you have to get them all correct in order to reach
the end of the quiz. After answering the last question correctly you will be given a choice of
choosing another topic or another subject. You can leave the current quiz and return to the list of
subjects at any time by clicking on to Quit at the top of the window.

8.3

Suggestions for monitoring and testing

No formal scoring system is in included in the Soil Mechanics Quizzes for the reasons
explained above. However, users can score their own progress and achievement by recorded the
number of incorrect answers they give and/or the number of attempts they have made to reach the
end of a quiz. It may be useful to do this with the same quiz attempted before and after a
particular study session.
Several commercially available packages exist for setting up computer-based testing. Tutors in
particular should satisfy themselves on the usefulness and advisability of using such methods - as
opposed to more traditional methods of testing. The author has been experimenting with the use
of spreadsheets to this end. It is relatively easy to compile question and answer sets, and to run
these using spreadsheets. In addition, spreadsheets offer calculation facilities that can open up
other possibilities, including such things as numerical answers with correctness ranges, analytical
routines, etc. Scoring testing routines on spreadsheets is also relatively easy. The main
problems lie in security (of answers, scores, etc.) and in reporting results. Students have to have
personalised log-in identities, ascribed to class groups and so on. Sets of marks need to be
transferred to secure files for subsequent access by tutors, examiners, etc. Nevertheless,
spreadsheet technology is both versatile and accessible to teachers and examiners and is worth
exploiting further.

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