Engineering Geology and Soil Mechanics
Geologi och geoteknik

VGTA01, 6.0 credits, G1 (First Cycle)

Valid for: 2024/25
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED V
Date of Decision: 2024-04-17
Effective: 2024-05-08

General Information

Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: First cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Mandatory for: IBYA2
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 the 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 - (U, 3, 4, 5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment: Written examination.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Modules
Code: 0108. Name: Engineering Geology and Soil Mechanics.
Credits: 6.0. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5).

Admission

Assumed prior knowledge: VSMA20 Structural Mechanics or VSMA10 Mechanics of Materials.
The number of participants is limited to: No
Kursen överlappar följande kurser: VTGA01 VTGA05 VTGF05 VTVA01 VGTF05 VGTA05

Reading list

• Ola Dahlblom och Erika Tudisco: Introduktion till Geotekniken. Studentlitteratur AB, 2022, ISBN: 9789144159980.
• Conny Svensson: Kompendium i Teknisk Geologi. KFS. Latest edition.

Contact

Course coordinator: Erika Tudisco, erika.tudisco@construction.lth.se
Course homepage: https://www.geoteknik.lth.se

Further information