Geotechnical Fundamentals

Recommended Prerequisites

Geology, Fluid Mechanics.

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

Deliver the geotechnical fundamentals. Basic parameters, characteristics, identification and classifications of soil. Present the mechanical interaction between the solid particles and the water. Permanent and transient flux through a porous medium and interaction with volume change in soils. The environmental awarence of contaminated land and the need to reclaim and recycle land associated with growing pressure on land resourses.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Scope os Soil Mechanics.

Phases composition of a soil.

Basic relationships. Soils Description, characteristics and classification.

Soil compaction. In laboratory and in the field, equipment, prossesses and control.

Interaction between soil particles and water. State of streses at rest.

Water in soils: permeability; seepage theory in one and two directions; Flow nets.

Seepage in a transient regime; Terzaghi theory for one dimension consolidation. Deformation mechanisms in confined layers; Oedometer test; estimation of setlement due to primary consolidation; determination if the coeficient of consolidation and of the permeability coeficient of clay soils.

Contaminated land and remedial actions. Site investigation abd risk assessement,Remedial options ans management of the risk.

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria Isabel Moita Pinto

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

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.