🏗️ Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering

🏗️ Course Title: Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering
Code: 4032-CIV

Duration: 7 Weeks
Format: Blended (Theoretical Sessions + Lab & Software Work + Project-Based Learning)
Language: Bilingual (English / Arabic)

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📘 1. Introduction

Geotechnical engineering forms the foundation of all structural and infrastructural projects. Understanding soil behavior, classification, and foundation design is critical for safe and economical construction. This course provides in-depth knowledge of soil mechanics, geotechnical testing, and foundation engineering—essential for any civil engineer involved in structural design or site preparation.

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📄 2. Course Description

This 7-week intensive course covers fundamental and advanced topics in soil mechanics and geotechnical design. It integrates theoretical understanding with real-world application through lab work, case studies, and geotechnical software usage. The course is highly practical and aligned with the latest international design standards and site safety practices.

📘 Course Outline – Detailed Structure

Course Title: Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering
Code: 4032-CIV
Duration: 7 Weeks

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🔹 Week 1: Introduction to Soil Mechanics

• Objectives:

  • Understand the role of soil mechanics in civil engineering.

  • Identify soil as a construction material and its engineering relevance.

• Topics Covered:

  • Origin and formation of soils.

  • Phases of soil (solid, liquid, gas).

  • Basic soil properties (void ratio, porosity, unit weight).

  • Stress in soil (total, effective, pore water pressure).

  • Soil-water relationship basics.

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🔹 Week 2: Soil Classification and Properties

• Objectives:

  • Classify soils using standard systems (USCS, AASHTO).

  • Analyze physical properties of different soil types.

• Topics Covered:

  • Particle size distribution (sieve and hydrometer analysis).

  • Consistency limits (liquid limit, plastic limit, shrinkage limit).

  • Soil structure and fabric.

  • Soil compaction and its significance.

  • Field identification and classification.

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🔹 Week 3: Soil Testing (Lab & Field)

• Objectives:

  • Conduct geotechnical tests to assess soil strength and permeability.

  • Interpret lab and field data for design decisions.

• Topics Covered:

  • Standard Proctor and Modified Proctor tests.

  • Direct shear test, triaxial compression test, unconfined compression test.

  • Permeability tests (falling head, constant head).

  • Field tests: SPT, CPT, plate load test.

  • Report writing and interpretation of test results.

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🔹 Week 4: Shallow Foundation Design

• Objectives:

  • Analyze and design spread footings and mat foundations.

  • Evaluate bearing capacity and settlement.

• Topics Covered:

  • Types of shallow foundations.

  • Terzaghi and Meyerhof bearing capacity equations.

  • Immediate and consolidation settlement.

  • Foundation design under eccentric loads.

  • Structural and geotechnical design coordination.

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🔹 Week 5: Deep Foundation Design

• Objectives:

  • Understand principles of pile and pier foundations.

  • Design deep foundations under axial and lateral loads.

• Topics Covered:

  • Classification of piles: driven, bored, CFA, micropiles.

  • Load transfer mechanisms (skin friction & end bearing).

  • Negative skin friction and group effects.

  • Pile load testing methods.

  • Pile design examples (manual + software-assisted).

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🔹 Week 6: Slope Stability and Earth Retaining Systems

• Objectives:

  • Assess slope stability for cut/fill slopes.

  • Analyze retaining wall design principles.

• Topics Covered:

  • Types of slope failures and causes.

  • Limit equilibrium methods (Fellenius, Bishop, Janbu).

  • Soil nailing, geogrids, and reinforcement techniques.

  • Earth pressure theories (Rankine, Coulomb).

  • Retaining wall types: gravity, cantilever, anchored.

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🔹 Week 7: Final Project – Foundation Design

• Objectives:

  • Apply course knowledge to a real-life project.

  • Present complete geotechnical documentation.

• Topics Covered:

  • Site profile interpretation and investigation planning.

  • Design of suitable foundation system based on soil data.

  • Use of geotechnical software for modeling.

  • Technical report and design drawings.

  • Group presentation or defense of the proposed design.

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📂 Optional Tools/Software Suggested

• Plaxis 2D/3D

• GeoStudio / SLOPE/W

• SAFE / Foundation Design Tools

• Microsoft Excel for calculations

• AutoCAD / Civil 3D (for documentation)

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🎯  Course Objectives

• Build a solid foundation in soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering

• Teach how to conduct and analyze lab/field tests for soil behavior

• Train on design methods for shallow and deep foundations

• Apply geotechnical knowledge to slope stability and soil-structure interaction

• Integrate modern software tools into geotechnical problem-solving

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✅  Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Classify soils using international systems (USCS, AASHTO)

• Determine essential soil properties and parameters via testing

• Design foundation systems based on soil conditions and loads

• Evaluate safety and stability of slopes and retaining walls

• Use analysis software to simulate real foundation conditions

• Complete a geotechnical design project for a real or hypothetical structure

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🗓️ 9. Weekly Breakdown

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