College of Engineering and Computer Science

Course Syllabus

Course Name: Geotechnical Engineering

Course Number: CIV 324

Course Pre-Requisites: CIV 206, GOL 205

Credit hours:3 (Lecture - 3)

Instructor’s Name:

Telephone: E-mail:

Class Location: Class Time:

Office Location: Office Hours:

1. Course Description
This course presents the description, identification, and engineering classification of
soils. The basic principles and mechanics of flow of water through soils, deformation
and strength of soils, and the processes of consolidation and compaction are also
presented, along with effective stress concepts, stress and settlement analyses, and
evaluation of shear strength.
2. Course Content
a. Overview
This course introduces the subject of soil mechanics and foundation engineering to civil
engineering students. This course provides the background necessary to pursue further
studies in the area of geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering.

b. Learning Objectives
By the end of the semester, you will be able to:

 Explain fundamental concepts relating to soil fabric, formation, and mineralogy (e,k)
 Classify soils for engineering purposes (e, K)
 Calculate and discuss physical and engineering properties and behavior of soils (e,K)
 Explain compaction and consolidation behavior (e, K)
 Use Darcy’s law to calculate groundwater flow and seepage through soils (a, e, K)
 Calculate shear strength of soils (a, e, K)
 Calculate settlement of soils (a, e, K)

Several of the homework problems will expose the students to case studies in soil mechanics
and geotechnical engineering.

3. Weekly Outline

Week Topic Chapter

1 Introduction: Soil Formation and Types Chapter 1 Chapter 1
Soil Deposits and Phase Relations 2.1-2.3
2 Phase Relations and grain size 2.1-2. 2.1-2.3
Grain Size Characteristics, Distribution and Atterberg Limits 2.4 - 2.8
3 Classification, Soil Structure, and Mineralogy. 3.1-3
4 Continue Mineralogy and Classification 4.1-4.4
5 Exploration and Sampling Handout
6 Compaction Fundamental 5.1 - 5.4
7 Compaction 5.5-5.7

8 Water in Soils 6.1-6.5

9 One Dimensional Flow: Darcy's Law/Permeability 7.1 – 7.3

10 Seepage 7.3, 7.8
11 Two Dimensional Flow: Flow Nets 7.7-7.9
12 Flow Nets and Dam Stability 7.9 –7.11
13 Effective Stress 7.5
14 Introduction to Consolidation 8.1 –8.3
Stress Distribution: Newmark and Boussinesq Handout
15 Total Settlement, Preconsolidation Pressures, and Field Settlement Curves 8.6-8.9
16 Shear strength of Soils 10
4. Pedagogy – Learning Process
Civil Engineering courses will be taught using a variety of pedagogical models. These will
include theory-led teaching, case-method education and project-based/team-based
teaching. Teaching based on exposition of theory will be applied to engineering and
construction science. Learning the fundamentals in math and physics, statics and dynamics,
mechanics of materials, hydrology and surveying, transportation, and concrete and
structural steel design effectively will be prerequisites to the development and application of
structural engineering skills.

Case-method teaching will use real-world business experiences in order to demonstrate the
application of general principles and to apply them to specific problems posed during the
course of instruction. This pedagogy will be used in the teaching of construction contracts
and administration, safety and business law.

Project-based and team-based education will be experiential; students will learn by doing, as
much as they would in a natural sciences laboratory class. Project-based education will also
give students an opportunity to learn how to assemble and coordinate necessary
information, assert authority and delegate responsibility. This is particularly important in the
construction industry, in which the essential tasks are the management of people and
information.

It will be common in CED courses for all pedagogical approaches to be employed. The CED
faculty members will bring together theory-based instruction and an intimate understanding
of state-of-the-art professional practices.

Abu Dhabi will provide a universe of projects of all types that will be readily available to
students to serve as a virtual laboratory. Drawings and specifications will be made available
to students for classroom study and before visiting project sites. Faculty members who are
actively involved in those projects will discuss the many unique and special problems
encountered on these projects, as well as potential solutions. Field visits to project sites will
be an essential part of the educational process.
5. Educational Resources
a. Textbook
Principles of Geotechnical Engineering. Braja Das 7the Ed.
b. Resources
1. Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice. Terzaghi, Peck and Mezri. 3rd Ed.J,Wily
2. Basic Soil Mechanics, R. Whitlow, LONGMAN

6. Assessment of Student Learning

Activity %
Homework and Quizzes 20
Exam 1 25
Exam 2 25
Final Exam 30
Total 100
7. Attendance
 Absences during the ADD/DROP week will count.
 Make up:
o Quiz: none.
o Late submissions: score reduced.
o Midterm and Final Exam: different from and harder than original.
 Excused Absences: No absences will be excused. All absences will be recorded as
indicated in the Attendance Policy. Hence, students will be encouraged to “save up”
absences for “unavoidable circumstances”.
 Tardiness: students will be considered tardy if they are not present before the
classroom door is closed both at the beginning of the class and following the break.
Tardiness will be counted as a half absence. Students will be requested not to
interrupt class proceedings by trying to enter once the class has begun (as indicated
by the “closed door”).

8. Academic Integrity
 The instructor will adhere to all ADU policies regarding academic integrity as stated
in the ADU Student Handbook. Students will be held responsible for internalizing all
information regarding ADU academic integrity policies. The full text and an
explanation of these policies is provided in the ADU Student Handbook.
 Unless specifically expressed by the instructor, collaboration between students in
this course, between students in previous courses, external assistance in any form or
presenting resources/research without proper citation which has been developed by
another individual or organization are all strictly prohibited. All work must be the
result of students’ own efforts.
  Students who are suspected of plagiarism or other violations of academic integrity
codes will face investigation. Those found guilty will face disciplinary action.
Repeated offenses will result in permanent expulsion from the University.

9. Miscellaneous
 Mobile phones: A student whose mobile phone rings during class will be asked to
leave the classroom and will receive a half absence. Should this happen during an
exam, the student will not be allowed to retake the exam at another time, while at
the same time receiving a full absence.
 Eating/Drinking/Smoking: Students will be requested to refrain from engaging in
these activities while in class.
10. Assessment of Learning Outcomes

a. Contribution of Course to Meeting Professional Component:

Engineering Science: 100%

Engineering Design: 0%

b. Relationship of Course Outcomes to Program Outcomes

The course contributes to the following program outcomes:

Criteria Description Assessment Tool

a Ability to apply knowledge of Homework
mathematics, science, and engineering assignments
and/or exams
e Ability to identify, formulate, and solve Homework
engineering problems assignments
and/or exams
k ability to use the techniques, skills, and Project and/or
modern engineering tools necessary for computer-based
engineering practice assignments