sign in sign up
<<
Home , UTEXAS

The University of Texas at Austin CE 357

CE 357 Geotechnical Engineering Spring 2020

Instructor: Dr. Brady R. Cox, P.E. ECJ 9.227F 512-471-9162; [email protected] Office Hours: MW 4:00-6:00 PM and T 4:00-6:00 PM

Lectures: MWF 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM in ECJ 1.204 MWF 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM in ECJ 1.314

Laboratories: Labs associated with 11:00 AM course Unique #15475: TH 8:00-11:00 in ECJ B.140 Unique #15480: M 12:00-3:00 in ECJ B.140 Unique #15485: M 3:00-6:00 in ECJ B.140 Unique #15490: W 3:00-6:00 in ECJ B.140 Labs associated with 3:00 PM course Unique #15495: F 12:00-3:00 in ECJ B.140 Unique #15500: T 3:00-6:00 in ECJ B.140 Unique #15505: TH 3:00-6:00 in ECJ B.140

Teaching Assistants: Names and office hours for teaching assistants will be provided in each laboratory section

Textbook: (Required) Das, Braja and Khaled Sobhan. Principles of Geotechnical Engineering – 8th or 9th Edition. Cengage Learning, 2016

Lab Manual: (Required) Daniel, David E., and the Geotechnical Engineering Faculty and Staff, Laboratory Manual for CE 357 – Geotechnical Engineering (Available at the UT Co-Op).

Materials: The basics… engineering paper, calculator, straight edge, compass and protractor.

Prerequisites: Engineering Mechanics 319 - Mechanics of Solids 319F - Elementary Mechanics of Fluids

Course Description: A major specialty area within civil engineering, geotechnical engineering focuses on how and rock support and affect the performance of structures built on or below the earth's surface. This course will introduce the student to the basic principles that govern the behavior of , foundations, and other geotechnical engineering works. The central concepts to be covered in this course are:

(a) Composition and classification of soils; (b) Engineering soil properties and their measurement; (c) Soil permeability and pore water movement; (d) Stresses in soil and the concept; (e) Soil compressibility, consolidation, and settlements; and (f) of soil and . 1

The University of Texas at Austin CE 357 Geotechnical Engineering

An understanding of these basic concepts is essential in the design of foundations for structures, retaining walls, , excavations, earth fills, dams, pavements, stable earth slopes, landfills, and environmental remediation projects. The laboratory component of this course will provide hands-on experience with characterizing soils for engineering purposes and help to familiarize the student with ASTM geotechnical laboratory testing procedures and standards.

Course Objectives: A student completing this course should be able to: 1. Solve problems related to weight-volume relationships for soil (i.e., determine , unit weight, , degree of saturation, etc…). 2. Classify soils according to the USCS system using grain size distribution data and . 3. List appropriate drilling, sampling and in-situ soil property measurement tools for different types of soil and rock. 4. Calculate the flow rate of water through soils and explain how permeability and head loss influence flow rate. 5. Determine total stresses, pore water pressures, and effective stresses for in-situ soils. 6. Explain how negative pore water pressures and upward or downward seepage influence the effective stress in a soil mass. 7. Explain the relationship between dry density and water content in regards to . 8. Estimate the magnitude (settlement) and time rate of primary consolidation for soils. 9. Solve for the state of stress on any plane in a soil mass using the principles of Mohr’s Circle. 10. Describe the Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria for soils, including the two distinct parameters that influence soil shear strength (c and ). 11. Evaluate the bearing capacity of shallow foundations on clay soils and sandy soils. 12. Predict the vertical stress increase caused by loads at various locations in a soil mass using Boussinesq-type stress distribution solutions. 13. Estimate the settlement of shallow foundations on clay soils and sandy soils. 14. Summarize the fundamental differences in the engineering behavior of - and clay-type soils (in terms of permeability, compaction, consolidation/settlement, shear strength, etc…)

Additionally, students successfully completing this course will acquire the background knowledge needed to complete more advanced courses in geotechnical engineering (i.e., CE 360K - Foundation Engineering, CE 375 - Earth Slopes and Retaining Structures, as as courses at the graduate level) and improve their professional engineering skills, including the presentation of technical data and written communications.

Course : Class Assignments: 20% Laboratory Assignments: 20% Mid-term Examination 30% Final Examination (comprehensive) 30% Total 100%

The plus/minus grading scale will be used when assigning letter grades. A minimum exam average of 50% is required to pass the course. Students who miss an examination will receive a of zero on that exam. Exceptions to this rule will be made only on a carefully considered basis, and only if

2

The University of Texas at Austin CE 357 Geotechnical Engineering the student contacts the professor before the exam. Laboratory attendance is also mandatory in order to pass the course. The lab attendance policy is further explained in the Laboratory section, below.

Course Attendance: Students are expected to attend all class periods and must attend all laboratory periods. Those who fail to attend class regularly will struggle to perform well on the course examinations. Students are responsible for material identified in the readings and covered in class, even if absent from class for authorized activities.

Course Assignments: Homework assignments will generally be assigned each week and will be due at the beginning of class on the date specified. Late assignments will be accepted if turned in within 24 hours of the original due date/time. However, the score on any late assignments will be reduced by 20%. An assignment will be considered late after assignments have been collected at the beginning of class. In order to get credit for an assignment you must submit a hard copy (not an electronic copy) prior to the due date/time. This requirement also applies to receiving credit for late assignments.

As you will quickly learn after college, most practicing engineers spend more time and effort communicating their ideas, analyses, and results than they do performing technical calculations. To encourage the development of these vital professional skills, your homework assignments may require a written response, and not just a simple numerical answer. In addition to engineering calculations, you might be asked to explain the important aspects of a problem, to identify the assumptions you have made, or to give some recommendations. Write your answers in paragraph form using good, technical English. When required, neatly draw all sketches and data plots using a straight edge, French curve, compass, etc., and show all relevant labels/units. As much as possible, I want your assignments to reflect real-world engineering practice where your submission to a client involves much more than calculations. Above all, present your results clearly and concisely so that someone else, who may be less knowledgeable than you are, could understand and apply your results correctly. At my discretion, I will give extra credit up to a maximum of 10% of the points for a homework assignment to students who submit neat, professional-looking assignments according to the sample homework format attached to this syllabus.

Diligently completing homework assignments is the single most important factor in learning the course material. The effort put into performing and understanding your homework will certainly affect your final grade. Students may consult with each other regarding homework assignments. However, each student is responsible for understanding the principles behind the correct homework solution (not just the correct answer). Students are expected to report cheating issues to the professor. Cheating on homework assignments (i.e., blatantly copying another student’s work or a prior homework solution) will NOT be tolerated and at a minimum will result in: (1) a score of zero on the assignment, and (2) a reduction of 1/3 of a letter grade (e.g., from B to B-, or C+ to C) on the final grade earned in the course. If a student is caught cheating on a homework assignment, we will meet together and fill out the Faculty Referral/ Disposition Form found at the link provided below. This form will then be submitted to the Office of the Dean of Students. “An additional academic dishonesty violation could result in the student’s suspension or expulsion from the University.” http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/conduct/downloads/FacultyReferralDispositionForm1819.pdf

3

The University of Texas at Austin CE 357 Geotechnical Engineering

Course Examinations: There will be one, 2-hour mid-term examination given during the semester. This exam will be held outside of regular class hours to accommodate a single mid-term exam for both the 11AM and 3PM courses. The mid-term exam will take place from 7-9 PM on Thursday, March 26, 2020 in PAI 3.02. In addition to material covered in class lectures and homework assignments, exams may include questions from the laboratory portion of the class or from reading assignments. Course examinations will be closed-book and closed-notes. However, you will be permitted to bring one sheet (8.5 x 11 inch) of your own handwritten notes to each examination. The organizational effort required to do this is an effective means of reviewing the course content before the exam. In addition, you need to bring a calculator, straight edge, compass and protractor to the exams. Cell phones must be turned off and stored out of sight during exams. If you are caught using a cell phone for any reason during the exam you will receive a score of zero.

The final examination is comprehensive. As such, you will be allowed to use your handwritten note- sheet from the mid-term exam plus one additional sheet for the material covered after the mid-term (i.e., two note-sheets). A combined final examination time for both the 11AM and 3PM courses will take place from 2-5PM on Thursday, May 14th in a room to be determined. Note that this is one of the university approved uniform final exam times. It is not the default final exam time assigned to your regularly scheduled course meeting time. If you have a direct conflict that is caused by another regularly scheduled final exam, you may take the final at the alternate uniform final exam time, which is from 7-10PM on May 14th. The last class day for UT is Friday, May 8th, 2020.

Laboratory: Each student in this class must register for a laboratory section. The laboratory will enhance your understanding of the course material. Laboratory attendance is mandatory in order to pass the course. Absence from ONE lab activity will be excused only if the student has a very good and well- documented reason that is communicated to the professor and your lab instructor ahead of time. Missing a lab without obtaining permission, at a minimum, will result in: (1) a score of zero on the lab report for the lab missed (the student must still submit the report), and (2) a reduction of 1/3 of a letter grade (e.g., from B to B-, or C+ to C) on the final grade earned in the course. Any subsequent labs which may be missed will result in a failing grade. The laboratory sections meet in ECJ B.140; a tentative schedule of the laboratory exercises is attached. Laboratory policy, procedure, and grading will be discussed in greater detail during the first lab session.

Course and Laboratory Schedule: Tentative schedules for the class lectures and laboratory periods are attached at the end of the syllabus. During most weeks, the class will meet for lectures on Monday and Wednesday with no class on Friday. However, there will be several times during the semester when I will lecture on Friday to make up a MW lecture that I missed due to research travel. These instances will be announced in advance. See the attached schedule for the tentative planned meeting days. Note that this schedule is tentative and may need to be adjusted during the semester. Recommended reading assignments from the course textbook are indicated on the lecture schedule. I suggest that you clarify and expand your class notes by reading the appropriate text sections.

Academic Integrity: Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from The University. Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and the integrity of The University, policies on 4

The University of Texas at Austin CE 357 Geotechnical Engineering scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. Violations will be reported to the Office of the Dean of Students. Remember, as an engineer, you are also held to a high standard of ethical conduct.

All work submitted for a grade in this class must be entirely your own. This requirement will be strictly enforced for examinations. In doing class assignments, you may consult with your fellow classmates regarding the most appropriate solution to a given problem. However, each student must prepare his or her own, individual submission for each assignment. For example, you are permitted to work together in deciding the best approach to an assigned problem, but everyone must work through the entire problem on their own, showing each step in the solution. Identical copies of solutions or data plots are not acceptable and will be flagged for academic integrity violation. Working together on assignments should foster your understanding of the course material; avoid working with other students unless all parties gain from the experience.

Students with Disabilities: The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, Services for Students with Disabilities, 471-6259 (voice) or 410-6644 (video phone) or http://diversity.utexas.edu/disability/ .

Deadlines and Drop Policy: From the 1st through the 12th class day (4th class day in the summer sessions), an undergraduate student can drop a course via the web and receive a refund, if eligible. From the 13th (5th class day in the summer sessions) through the university’s academic drop deadline, a student may Q drop a course with approval from the Dean, and departmental advisor.

Course and Instructor Evaluation: An evaluation of the course and instructor will be conducted at the end of the semester using the approved UT Course/Instructor evaluation forms. Suggestions for improving the instruction and course content are welcome at any time and are particularly appreciated.

Emergency Preparedness Plan: Emergency Preparedness means being ready. It takes an effort by all of us to create and sustain an effective emergency preparedness system. You are your own best first responder. Please use https://preparedness.utexas.edu/welcome-emergency-preparedness as a resource to better understand emergency preparedness at the university, and how you can become part of and contribute to the preparedness community. To monitor emergency communications for specific instructions go to utexas.edu/emergency. To report an issue (none emergency) call 512-471-4441. In case of emergency, call 911.

Final Comment Geotechnical engineers often deal with significant uncertainty about the spatial variability and behavior of the soils at any given site, and are frequently asked to solve technical problems that lack simple, definitive answers. As a student, I hope you gain an appreciation for the engineering judgment often required in geotechnical engineering projects and do not become frustrated at the apparent lack of simple solutions or straight-forward answers.

Class participation is strongly encouraged. Do not hesitate to raise questions, ask for clarification, or suggest your own ideas during class. In addition, at all times you are invited to submit written questions and comments via e-mail. 5

The University of Texas at Austin CE 357 Geotechnical Engineering

TOPIC OUTLINE AND TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Wk Lec Date Lecture Topics Reading in Textbook 1 1 Wed, Jan 22 Course Introduction, Soil Types Chapter 1, 2.1-2.3 2 Fri, Jan 24 Phase Diagrams, Weight-Volume Relationships 2.6, 3.1-3.4 2 3 Mon, Jan 27 Grain Size, Index Properties 2.7-2.10, 4.1-4.10 Wed, Jan 29 No Class 4 Fri, Jan 31 5.1-5.5 3 5 Mon, Feb 3 Site Investigation, Boring and Sampling 17.1-17.14 6 Wed, Feb 5 Site Investigation, Boring and Sampling 4 7 Mon, Feb 10 Darcy’s Law 7.1-7.5 8 Wed, Feb 12 Darcy’s Law (continued) 5 9 Mon, Feb 17 Total and Effective Stress 9.1-9.2 10 Wed, Feb 19 Seepage Pressures and Capillarity 9.3-9.6; 9.9-9.10 11 Fri, Feb 21 Compaction 6.1-6.12 6 12 Mon, Feb 24 Introduction to Consolidation 11.5 Wed, Feb 26 No Class 7 13 Mon, Mar 2 One-dimensional Consolidation 11.6-11.9 14 Wed, Mar 4 One-dimensional Consolidation (continued) 11.10-11.13 8 15 Mon, Mar 9 Time-rate of Settlement 11.14-11.16 16 Wed, Mar 11 Time-rate of Settlement (continued) 9 Mon, Mar 16 No Class – Spring Break Wed, Mar 18 No Class – Spring Break 10 17 Mon, Mar 23 Surcharge and Preload 11.18-11.19 18 Wed, Mar 25 Mohr's Circle 10.1-10.3 11 19 Mon, Mar 30 Shear Strength of Soil: Introduction 12.1-12.3 20 Wed, Apr 1 Measurement of Shear Strength, Direct Shear Tests 12.4-12.7; 12 21 Mon, Apr 6 Triaxial Compression Tests 12.8-12.12 22 Wed, Apr 8 Shear Strength of Granular Soils 13 23 Mon, Apr 13 Shear Strength of Fine-Grained Soils 24 Wed, Apr 15 Shear Strength of Fine-Grained Soils (continued) 14 25 Mon, Apr 20 Bearing Capacity 16.1-16.6 26 Wed, Apr 22 Bearing Capacity (continued) 15 27 Mon, Apr 27 Stress Distribution 10.4; 10.7; 10.11-10.13 28 Wed, Apr 29 Settlement of Footings on Clay 11.1-11.3 16 29 Mon, May 4 Settlement of Footings on Sand 30 Wed, May 6 Final Exam Review & Course Evaluations

6

The University of Texas at Austin CE 357 Geotechnical Engineering

CE 357 - LABORATORY SCHEDULE – Spring 2020

Week of: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Jan 20 - no lab - - no lab - - no lab - - no lab -

Jan 27 - no lab - - no lab - - no lab - - no lab - - no lab -

Water Content, Water Content, Water Content, Water Content, Water Content, Feb 3 Specific Gravity Specific Gravity Specific Gravity Specific Gravity Specific Gravity

Feb 10 Grain Size Grain Size Grain Size Grain Size Grain Size

Atterberg Limits Atterberg Limits Atterberg Limits Atterberg Limits Atterberg Limits & Visual & Visual & Visual & Visual & Visual Feb 17 Manual Manual Manual Manual Manual Classification Classification Classification Classification Classification Feb 24 - no lab - - no lab - - no lab - - no lab - - no lab - Hydraulic Hydraulic Hydraulic Hydraulic Hydraulic Mar 2 Conductivity Conductivity Conductivity Conductivity Conductivity Mar 9 Compaction Compaction Compaction Compaction Compaction

Mar 16 Spring Break Spring Break Spring Break Spring Break Spring Break

Consolidation Consolidation Consolidation Consolidation Consolidation Mar 23 (set up/loading) (set up/loading) (set up/loading) (set up/loading) (set up/loading) Consolidation Consolidation Consolidation Consolidation Consolidation Mar 30 (loading) (loading) (loading) (loading) (loading) Consolidation Consolidation Consolidation Consolidation Consolidation Apr 6 (data reduction) (data reduction) (data reduction) (data reduction) (data reduction) Apr 13 Direct Shear Direct Shear Direct Shear Direct Shear Direct Shear Unconfined Unconfined Unconfined Unconfined Unconfined Apr 20 Compression, Compression, Compression, Compression, Compression, Lab Vane Lab Vane Lab Vane Lab Vane Lab Vane UU Triaxial UU Triaxial UU Triaxial UU Triaxial UU Triaxial Apr 27 Test Test Test Test Test Final Lab Final Lab Final Lab Final Lab Final Lab May 4 Meeting Meeting Meeting Meeting Meeting

7

The University of Texas at Austin CE 357 Geotechnical Engineering

Sample Homework Format

8