Syllabus academic year 2010/2011
(Created 2010-07-25.)
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY AND SOIL MECHANICSVGTA01
Credits: 6. Grading scale: TH. Cycle: G1 (First Cycle). Main field: Technology. Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish. VGTA01 overlaps following cours/es: VGT601. Compulsory for: IBYA2, IBYI2, IBYV2. Course coordinator: Division of Structural Mechanics, struchmech@byggmek.lth.se, Structural Mechanics. Recommended prerequisits: FME602 Structural mechanics or VSMA10Mechanics of materials. Assessment: Written examination. Home page: http://www.byggmek.lth.se.

Aim
The aim is to give basic knowledge in engineering geology and soil mechanics.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

be able to describe the most common geological materials, especially in Sweden occurring soil types, their structure and how they have been formed.

be able to explain basic concepts and relations in the areas of soil mechanics and properties of soils.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

be able to read a geologic map and to establish a geologic section with sequences of soil layers and have viewpoints on the use of på ground.

be able to perform and present basic geotechnical computations

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

Contents
The course introduces engineering geology and soil mechanics. The engineering geology part gives the student knowledge about the creation and geological development of our planet, and how different rocks and soils are developed and classified. The geology part also deals with occurrence and use of groundwater. In the soil mechanics part the student gets knowledge in microstructure and composition of soils, stresses in soils, and deformation and strength properties of soils. The soil mechanics part also treats settlements, bearing capacity, soil pressure, slope stability, and the most common test methods. The course also introduces foundation engineering.

Literature
Svensson, C: Kompendium i geologi, Avdelningen för teknisk geologi, LTH
Sällfors, G: Geoteknik – Jordmateriallära och Jordmekanik samt Geoteknik – exempelsamling, Geologi och geoteknik, Chalmers 2001