Unit information: Engineering Geology in 2011/12

Unit name	Engineering Geology
Unit code	EASC30015
Credit points	10
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1B (weeks 7 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Brian Hawkins
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	Successful completion of years 1 and 2 of either the Environmental Geoscience or Geology degree programme curriculum.
Co-requisites	n/a
School/department	School of Earth Sciences
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

Site investigation/desk studies; soil consistency; rock slope stability; soil slope stability; superficial structures; ground chemistry; foundations in cold lands, hot lands and alluvial deposits; case studies - tunnels, dams

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion you should be able to:

• undertake a desk study to appraise the geotechnical characteristics of an individual site

• compare and contrast the terminologies used by civil engineers and earth scientists

• record geotechnical data using information derived when logging both face exposures and cores

• describe the main index tests used by geotechnical engineers

• describe and recognise the differences between tectonic and superficial structures and the significance of these to the foundation engineer

• illustrate, with examples, how engineering parameters can be used in their application to geotechnical engineering

• describe and demonstrate how engineering construction can be undertaken in areas of frozen ground and lowland glacial deposits

• illustrate with examples the principles and means by which analyses of rock and soil slope stability are made

• show how shrinkable/swellable soils influence geotechnical parameters and can be accommodated in engineering construction

• predict the generation/development of ground sulphates and the consequential effects on engineering constructions

• show how potential sea level changes and the presence of laminated deposits can be accommodated when considering engineering construction on alluvial lowlands

• describe and explain the basics of consolidation theory in relation to foundation design

Teaching Information

Lectures and practicals

Assessment Information

The lectures will be assessed by a 2-hour closed examination (67%), and coursework (33%) that is based on a desk study of a site within walking distance of the university. This desk study is limited to a maximum of 10 pages (data and backup items can be placed in an appendix, which must be carefully structured and not a loose assortment of various items). This coursework item has a specified size limitation that will be subject to the standard Department regulations. Assessment will be based on the faculty criteria.

Reading and References

There is no course text, but for each lecture a handout detailing the topic and appropriate references will be issued.