Soil Mechanics I

Code:

EC0032

Acronym:

MSOL1

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Geotechnics

Instance: 2006/2007 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Geotechnics Division
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Civil Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LEC	21	Plano de estudos de transição para 2006/07	4	7	7	75	188
MIEC	246	Syllabus since 2006/2007	4	-	7	75	188
		Plano de estudos de transição para 2006/07	4	-	7	75	188

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Introduction to the concepts, principles and fundamental theories describing and explaining both the mechanical behaviour (in terms of resistance and deformability) and the hydraulic behaviour of soil masses.

Program

Physical properties of soils. Particle size distribution. Clay minerals. Atterberg limits. Basic features of sedimentary granular soils (sands) and cohesive soils (clays). Residual soils from granite. Soil classification.
Effective stress principle. At rest stress state. Elastic solutions for stresses induced in the ground by external loads.
Darcy's law. Coefficient of permeability. Lab and in situ tests to evaluate soil permeability. Two-dimensional flow nets. Seepage force. Quick condition and critical hydraulic gradient. Piping and heaving. Filters. Capilarity.
Confined compression of clayey layers. Oedometer test. Parameters defining soil compressibility. Normally consolidated and overconsolidated soils. Estimation of the consolidation settlement. Terzaghi theory for vertical consolidation. Secondary consolidation. Compression of unconfined clay layers. Methods of acceleration of the consolidation rate. Observation of embankments on soft ground.
Mohr-Coulomb and Tresca yield criteria. Direct shear, triaxial and simple shear tests. Shear strength of sands. Liquefaction. Shear strength of clays. Drained and undrained loading. Effective stress shear strength parameters. Pore pressure parameters. Undrained shear strength of clays and its dependence on the effective at-rest stress and on the stress path. Inherent and induced anisotropy of the undrained shear strength of clays.
Compaction. Basic concepts. Proctor test. Control of the compaction in the field. Compaction equipments. Vibroflotation and dynamic compaction.

Mandatory literature

Manuel de Matos Fernandes; Mecânica dos Solos. Conceitos e Princípios Fundamentais., Edições FEUP, 2006. ISBN: 972-752-086-3
T. william Lambe & Robert V. Whitman; Soil Mechanics. SI version, John Wiley & Sons, 1969

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures for the presentation of the concepts, principles and theories with reference to works and natural phenomena conditioned by the behaviour of soil masses.
Tutorials for the resolution of numerical applications from the proposed problem sheets.
Practical sessions for the observation of laboratory tests and the treatment of experimental data.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Subject Classes	Participação presencial	56,00
	Total:	-	0,00

Examinations or Special Assignments

Home-work exercises included in the proposed problem sheets in complement of the tutorial and practical classes.
The total time required by the proposed home-work is estimated in 16 hours.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

In accordance with FEUP assessment regulations.

Classification improvement

In accordance with FEUP assessment regulations.

Observations

.........................................................
Working time estimated out of class: 4 hours