Course syllabus

Geologi och geoteknik
Engineering Geology and Soil Mechanics

VGTA01, 6 credits, G1 (First Cycle)

Valid for: 2015/16
Decided by: Education Board D
Date of Decision: 2015-04-16

General Information

Compulsory for: IBYA2, IBYI2, IBYV2
Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish

Aim

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

Learning outcomes

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.

Competences and skills
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

• be able to describe the role of geological materials and environment in different applications of building technology.
• be able to describe different geological aspects which may be hazardous in different types of ground use.
• on the basis of available experimental data and computations be able to estimate bearing capacity and settlements for simple loading situations.

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.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH
Assessment: Written examination.

Admission

Required prior knowledge: FME602 Structural mechanics or VSMA10 Mechanics of materials.
The number of participants is limited to: No
The course overlaps following course/s: VGT601, VGTF05, VTGA01, VTGA05, VTGF05, VTVA01

Reading list

Contact and other information

Course coordinator: Professor Ola Dahlblom, Ola.Dahlblom@construction.lth.se
Course homepage: http://www.byggvetenskaper.lth.se
Further information: Teaching: The course consists lectures and exercises. Also a study visit is included.