Soil Mechanics

Year
3
Academic year
2022-2023
Code
01018315
Subject Area
Civil Engineering
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
6.0
Type
Compulsory
Level
1st Cycle Studies

Recommended Prerequisites

Engineering Geology, Fundamental concepts of Stress State and Materials Behaviour Models.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical classes with detailed presentation, using audiovisual means, of the concepts, principles and fundamental theories and solving of basic practical exercises to illustrate the practical interest of the subject and exemplify its application to real cases.

Theoretical-practical classes where the students, supervised by the staff member, solve practical exercises, which require the combination of different theoretical concepts and promote critical reasoning in the presence of more complex problems.

Laboratory classes with execution/observation of relevant tests.

Learning Outcomes

Provide students key concepts, principles and theories allowing to explain, understand, and predict the hydraulic and mechanical behavior of soil deposits under loadings imposed by different type of structures. Starting from the knowledge previously acquired knowledge about the physical state and behavior of different types of soils, this Curricular Unit (CU) offers the necessary knowledge for the design of various types of geotechnical works, which will be considered in a subsequent CU.

This CU also aims at promoting the acquisition of skills in analysis and interpretation, written communication, unconventional problem solving, critical thinking, independent learning and practical application of theoretical knowledge.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Stress state at rest

Stress concept in particulate media; principle of effective stress; evaluation of the stress state at rest

2. Water in soils. Percolation

One-dimensional flow; assessment of permeability; bi-dimensional flow; hydraulic instability; anisotropy of permeability; capillarity

3. Compressibility and consolidation

Confined stratum; oedometer test; primary consolidation settlements; Terzaghi’s theory of consolidation; secondary consolidation; consolidation acceleration

4. Stresses and elastic strains

Problem formulation; models of soil behaviour; elastic solutions for surface loading; calculation of strains; ground settlements.

5. Shear strength

Local versus global failure; sand and clay behaviour; Mohr-Coulomb model; shear strength parameters; short and long-term failures; experimental evaluation of shear strenght.

Head Lecturer(s)

Paulo Alexandre Lopes Figueiredo Coelho

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Mini Tests: 50.0%
Exam: 50.0%

Bibliography

• Matos Fernandes, M. (2006) – Mecânica dos Solos – Conceitos e Princípios Fundamentais, Vol. I, Edições FEUP.

• Lemos, L. L. (2002) – Apontamentos de Mecânica dos Solos, DEC-FCTUC.

• Das, B. M. (2000) - Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering, Brooks/Cole.

• Coelho, P.A.L.F., Almeida e Sousa, J. e Marques, F.E.R. (2007) – Diapositivos das aulas teóricas de Mecânica dos Solos I, DEC-FCTUC.