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Soil Mechanics I

Code 10291
Year 3
Semester S1
ECTS Credits 6
Workload PL(15H)/T(30H)/TP(15H)
Scientific area Geotechnics
Entry requirements Calculus, Geology of Engineering, Hydraulics, Solid mechanics
Mode of delivery Face-to-face, including e-learning and b-learning.
Work placements Not applicable.
Learning outcomes In this UC is intended that the student learn concepts, theories and principles required to solve elementary geotechnical problems, to give reasons for its proposals, and skills in compaction control and prediction of the hydraulic and mechanical behaviour of natural or earthfill massifs under loadings. At the end of the UC the student should be able to:
- define, identify and classify soils
- distinguish soil types taking into account their physical and identification characteristics
- understand the principle of soil compaction and their application
- characterize the soil’s state in different geotechnical situations
- understand the concept of stress in soil masses, at equilibrium or subject to seepage
- calculate the stress state at-rest and after ground surface loading
- evaluate the permeability coefficient and formulate seepage problems
- identify emerging geomaterials
- determine from experimental tests: physical and identification characteristics, compaction and permeability
Syllabus Soil formation and composition. Basic features of sedimentary and residual soils. Sampling. Physical characteristics of soils. Particle size distribution and Atterberg limits. Soil classification systems. Soil compaction: basic concept and their application. Effective stress principle. Stress state at rest, Mohr circle. Elastic solutions for stresses induced in the ground by external loads. Darcy's law. Coefficient of permeability. 2D flow nets. Seepage force. Piping and heaving. Emerging geomaterials.
Laboratory tests to evaluate water content, unit weight, density of solid particles, grain size composition, consistency limits, compaction curve, CBR, sand equivalent, and soil permeability.
Main Bibliography Matos Fernandes, M. (2006). Mecânica dos Solos, Conceitos e Princípios Fundamentais, Edições FEUP. ISBN: 972-752-086-3
Lambe, T.W., Whitman, R.V. (1979). Soil Mechanics, SI version. (edt) J. Wiley, ISBN: 0-471-80792-3
Terzaghi, K. (1943). Theoretical Soil Mechanics. (edt) J. Wiley
Copper, P.L., Cassie, W.F., Geddes, J.P. (1980). Problems in engineering soils. 3th edt, E & F.N. Spon, London.
Normas Nacionais e Especificações do LNEC sobre assuntos leccionados
Atkinson, J. (2007) The mechanics of soils and foundations. CRC Press
Mitchell, J. K., Soga, K. (2005) Fundamentals of soil behavior (Vol. 3). New York: John Wiley & Sons
Das, Braja M. (2006). Principles of geotechnical engineering. 6th edition, Thomson Learning Ltda. ISBN 0-534-55144-0.
Knappett, J. A., Craig, R.F. (2012). Craig’s Soil Mechanics. 8th edition. New York: Spon Press.
Falorca, I.M.C.F.G. (2020). TP Workbook and PL LogBook
Teaching Methodologies and Assessment Criteria This one semester Course Unit involves 60 hours of scheduled contact activities, taught teaching-learning sessions, organised in theoretical classes (30 T: presentation of syllabus, with reference to elementary geotechnical problems that foster the practical interest of the subject), theoretical-practical classes (15 TP: resolution of practical exercises from the proposed problem sheets) and laboratory practice classes (15 PL: conducting laboratory tests with further treatment and interpretation of experimental data).
In the evaluation are considered written tests (E) and laboratory work with report submission (TR). Continuous assessment includes two tests and practical work. The final exam includes an exam and practical work, for admitted students. The classification (CF) is awarded according to the following requirements:

CF = max (0.2 x TR + 0.8 x E) with TR > 9.5 v. and E > 9.5 v. Oral examination if CF > 16.5 v.
Language Portuguese. Tutorial support is available in English.
Last updated on: 2024-09-23

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