Introduction to soil mechanics, foundation design, and earth retention structures.
About this course
Geotechnical Engineering Basics covers the fundamental principles of soil mechanics and their application to civil engineering projects. You will learn how to characterise soil and rock materials, determine their engineering properties, and apply that knowledge to the design of foundations and earth structures. The course blends theoretical concepts with practical problem-solving, preparing you for advanced design courses and field work.
Topics include soil classification, permeability, consolidation, shear strength, lateral earth pressure, slope stability, and foundation design. You will complete laboratory exercises that simulate real-world testing procedures and use computational tools to analyse geotechnical data.
Who takes this course
Credits: 3 · Hours: 45
Prerequisites
- CIVL 1570 Materials Science Basics
- CIVL 1590 Statics and Mechanics
Learning outcomes
- Describe soil classification systems and index properties
- Calculate effective stress and pore water pressure in soil masses
- Analyze soil consolidation and settlement under structural loads
- Design shallow and deep foundation systems for typical structures
- Evaluate slope stability and design earth retention structures
Evaluation
| Component | Weight (%) |
| Laboratory reports | 20 |
| Midterm examination | 30 |
| Final examination | 50 |