Geotechnical Engineering (GEO170)
This course provides an introduction to geotechnical engineering that can be taken by geo- and energy-resources as well as civil engineering students. Geotechnics is an engineering science that deals with practical issues related to rock and soil materials found close to the surface of the Earth. This involves both the mechanics, measurements, and interpretation of soils and rocks, for the design and maintenance of temporary and permanent constructions (foundations, retaining structures, earth structures, etc.). After completing the course, the student will have a basic understanding of geotechnical problems, basic soundings, analysis, and design, as well as the integration of these with geophysical, remote sensing, environmental assessment, and GIS methods.
Course description for study year 2023-2024. Please note that changes may occur.
Course code
GEO170
Version
1
Credits (ECTS)
10
Semester tution start
Autumn
Number of semesters
1
Exam semester
Autumn
Language of instruction
Norwegian
Content
The course provides an introduction to geotechnical engineering by covering these topics:
- General classification of rocks and soils.
- Mineralogy of major soil minerals.
- Weathering and alteration of major soil and rock materials.
- Subsurface geotechnical surveying.
- Stresses in soil and rock materials.
Construction applications:
- Foundations.
- Retaining structures.
- Slope stability.
- Tunnels.
- Geosynthetics materials.
- Environmental geotechnics.
- Introduction to geohazard evaluation and mitigation.
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
- Knowledge on how to work with different soils/rocks in geotechnical engineering.
- Knowledge of mathematical methods and physics applied to geotechnical engineering.
- Knowledge on how to build a basic subsurface model for evaluating the geotechnical solutions for reducing risks in civil engineering applications.
- Understanding how outer/inner geological processes of the Earth are related to diverse geohazards.
Skills:
- Be able to perform practical, geotechnical laboratory tests.
- Be able to perform basic mathematical calculations to solve problems in geotechnical engineering.
- Be able to integrate geotechnical, geological, and geophysical data in order to build a subsurface model.
- Be able to analyze field data and laboratory measurements and summarize these into geotechnical reports.
General competence:
- To solve geotechnical problems by collecting, processing, and interpreting field and laboratory data.
- To communicate geotechnical results through technical presentations and reports to other related fields and public in general.
- To help decision making in the public and private sectors in problems related to geotechnical engineering.
Required prerequisite knowledge
Recommended prerequisites
Exam
Report, oral presentation and written exam
| Form of assessment | Weight | Duration | Marks | Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 2/5 | 4 Weeks | Letter grades | All |
| Oral presentation | 1/5 | 45 Minutes | Letter grades | All |
| Written exam | 2/5 | 2 Hours | Letter grades | Approved compendium of formulae, Basic calculator, |
Continuous evaluation. You must pass all parts to pass the course. All parts must be assessed in order to receive a grade. A re-sit exam is only offered for the written exam. If you fail one- or both of the other assessment parts, or wish to improve the grade, you must retake this/these the following year. The written report is a group project. Canvas and emails are used as normal communication forms. A detailed plan of the course activities will be given by the instructor at the beginning of the semester.
Coursework requirements
Completion of lab reports.
Attendance to lab exercises is compulsory. Students must attend 80% of lab exercises. Due to illness or other reasons during the laboratory exercises, the absence should be reported to the lab responsible or course instructor.