Module ENGI4161: GEOTECHNICAL AND HIGHWAY ENGINEERING

Department: Engineering

ENGI4161: GEOTECHNICAL AND HIGHWAY ENGINEERING

Prerequisites

• Level 3 MEng Civil Engineering

Corequisites

• As specified in programme regulations

Excluded Combination of Modules

• As specified in programme regulations

Aims

• TThis module is designed solely for students studying School of Engineering and Computing Sciences degree programmes.
• The module will provide graduates with advanced knowledge of geotechnical site investigations, the design and analysis of embankment and concrete dams and foundation design for offshore structures, as well as providing advanced knowledge of highway engineering.

Content

• SITE INVESTIGATION
• Geo-hazards and contaminated land investigations.
• Geotechnical desk study.
• Boreholes, trial pits, drilling, sampling and logging.
• Groundwater observations.
• Engineering description of soil and rock.
• In-situ tests (permeability, SPT, vane, cone and pressuremeter).
• DAMS & OFFSHORE STRUCTURES
• Dam Classification (earth and rockfill, roller compacted, gravity, buttress and arch).
• Stability, settlement and internal seepage in embankment dams;
• Concrete dam stability.
• Classification of offshore foundation types.
• Lateral loading on foundations.
• Anchors.
• HIGHWAY ENGINEERING
• Microscopic and macroscopic traffic flow modelling.
• The traffic assignment problem and dynamic network models.
• Measurement devices and data processing.
• Estimation of traffic variables and automatic incident detection.
• Origin-destination estimation.
• Motorway traffic control.
• Urban road traffic control.
• Road construction materials and methods.
• Road pavement design.

Learning Outcomes

• Appreciation and technical understanding of the characterisation and testing of soils to enable the design and analysis of a variety of geotechnical structures.
• Understanding of the capabilities and limitations of advanced simulation methods when applied to geotechnical engineering problems.
• Knowledge of simple analysis tools and modelling techniques for the prediction of the performance of geotechnical structures.
• Understanding of the different types of dam structures and their suitability for different geological/topological conditions.
• Understanding of traffic flow modelling approaches at different scales.
• Understanding of traffic flow control problems for different types of network and measurement devices for modelling and control purposes.
• Understanding of the traffic flow variables' estimation problems.
• Knowledge of simple design methods for road pavements.

• The awareness of current design codes of practice and engineering approaches to geotechnical design.
• The use of the Finite Element method in the analysis of foundation deformation and dam stress distribution.
• The ability to carry out assessments of the stability of geotechnical structures.
• The ability to devise a preliminary site investigation programme for a variety of engineering structures.
• The ability to apply modelling, estimation and control algorithms for traffic related problems.
• The ability to perform critical assessment and review and to communicate technical findings effectively.

• Capacity for independent self-learning within the bounds of professional practice.
• Highly specialised analytical and numerical skills appropriate to an engineer.
• Highly specialised use of information technology (IT) relevant to the engineering profession.
• Mathematics relevant to the application of advanced engineering concepts.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Site Investigation course. This is taught using lectures, reinforced using problems and assessed using written examinations.
• Dams and Offshore Structures course. This is taught using lectures and reinforced in workshops and problems. Coursework assignments and written examinations are appropriate because of the practical nature of the material covered in this course and to assess the student's ability to perform independent data analysis and professional reporting.
• Highway Engineering Course. This is taught using lectures, reinforced using problems and assessed using written examinations.
• Students are able to make use of staff 'Tutorial Hours' to discuss any aspect of the module with teaching staff on a one-to-one basis. These are sign up sessions available for up to one hour per week per lecture course.
• Written timed examinations are appropriate for all module components because of the largely quantitative methods covered in the courses. The examination will enable students to demonstrate their ability to solve advanced problems independently

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

None.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University