CE 341 - Soil Mechanics

Spring 2012

 

 

 

Text:

Das, B.M., Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, 7th Edition, Cengage Learning ISBN# 10:0495411302, ISBN# 13:978-0-495-41130-2

Instructor:

Raj P. Khera, Ph.D., P.E., , Office: 215 Colton Hall,

Phone: 973-596-2475, Fax: 973-596-5790, khera@njit.edu

Office Hours: Monday, 4-5 PM, Tues. 12 PM-2 PM and by appt. Post questions to forum on moodle 

TA

TBA

 

Prerequisites: Mech 237 or equivalent. Co-requisite: CE 341A. A study of soil types and properties.

Objectives: Develop basic understanding of soil behavior.  The methods of soil identification, classification  and compaction are presented.  Fundaments pertaining to permeability, seepage, consolidation, subsurface investigation, and shear strength are introduced. 

NJIT Honor Code: The NJIT Honor Code will be upheld and any violations will be brought to the immediate attention of the Dean of Students.

 

 

Week

Topics

Sections

Homework problems

1

Origin of Soils, Grain Size and Weight-Volume Relationships,

2.1-8, 3.1-4

2.5,7,8; 3.5,8,9

2

Relative Density Atterberg, Limits,

3.5-8, 4.1-9

3.15,19,24,4.3,5

3

Soil Compaction and Classification

5.2-5, 6.1-9

5.1,3; 6.3,6,7,9,11,13

4

Permeability

7.1-6

 7.3,5,7,9,13

5

Seepage

8.3-4, 10

8.3, 5, 7

6

Effective Stresses

9.1-4,8,9

9.1,3,7,10

7

Stresses in Soils

10.2,10

10.1,3,19

8

Compressibility

11.1,3-8

11.3,5,7,9

9

Primary Consolidation

11.8-11

11.11,13,15

10

Settlement Rate

11.12-15

11.17,19,20,21,22

11

Shear Strength

12.1-6

12.1, 3, 4,8,5

12

Shear Strength

12.7-11

12.8,11,15,19,20

13

Soil Exploration

18.1-8

18.1,3,11

14

Slope Stability

15.1-6

15.1,3,5,7

15

Final

 

 

 

POLICY

1.       Mobile phones, beepers, laptops etc. must all be turned off before the class begins.

2.       I will be communicating with you via Moodle, please make sure that you have NJIT
    email account.

3.       Please keep all your work until you have received your final grade.

4.       All exams will be closed notes and textbook . 

5.       Please bring your textbook, a calculator, pencil, and writing paper in class.

6.       Some changes may be made to the syllabus; this will be discussed and agreed upon in
    class.  You will be responsible for such changes.

HOMEWORK

1.   Homework problem (s) will be assigned weekly and posted  on Moodle, and collected at the next class meeting.

2.   All submitted problems must be done on standard computation paper in pencil (B or 2B)and be presented in an organized and neat manner. If more than
one sheet, staple all the sheets together in the upper left hand corner before handing in.

3.   A poor submittal will result in a 25 point deduction.

4.   You will be responsible for the  problems listed in course outline for each chapter . These will be reviewed in class but not collected.

QUIZZES

ü  A quiz (25 points each) will be given weekly with a total of 10 to 12 during the semester, there will be no make-up quizzes. 

ü  A missed quiz will be graded as a zero. 

ü  The passing grade for each quiz will be 65%. 

GRADING

Exams

points

Quizzes

250

Final Exam   

100

The final grade will be based upon the following percentages.

Grade

% points

A

90-100%

B+

85-89%

B

80-84%

C+

75-79%

C

70-74%

D

65-69%

 





Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

CE 341 – Soil Mechanics

 

Description:        

A study of soil types and properties is made with the objective of developing a basic understanding of soil behavior.  The methods of subsurface investigation and compaction are presented.  Fundamentals pertaining to permeability, seepage, consolidation, stress distribution, and sheer strength are introduced.  Settlement analysis is also presented.

Prerequisites: Mech 237 - Strength of Materials          Co requisite - CE 341A - Soil

                                                                                                                                  Mechanics Laboratory

Textbook(s)/Materials Required:    

                Das, B.M., Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, PWS Kent, 6th Edition, 2006

 

Course Objectives:            

1.        Learn index properties of soils methods of soil classification and subsurface investigations.

2.        Learn principle of seepage through porous media and effective stress.

3.        Learn principles of consolidation and shear strength.

 

Topics:

Soil properties and Classifications

Compaction

Darcy’s Law, Seepage and Flow Nets

Geostatic and Effective Stresses

Consolidation and Settlement

Subsurface Investigation, Sampling and Standard Penetration Test

Mohr Circle and Shear Strength

Direct Shear Testing, Unconfined Compression and Triaxial Testing

Slope Stability

 

Schedule:              Lecture/Recitation- 1-1/2 hour class, twice per week    

                                Laboratory- none (see CE341A, Soil Mechanics Laboratory)

 

Professional Component:  Engineering Topics                            

 

Program Objectives Addressed:      1, 2

 

Prepared By:        Prof. Raghu                                                           Date:      11/29/06
 

Course Objectives Matrix – CE 341 Soil Mechanics

Strategies and Actions

Student Learning

Outcomes

Outcomes

(a-n)

Prog.

Object.

Assessment
Methods/Metrics

 

Course Objective 1: Learn the properties of soils and the basic principles of soil mechanics
and develop the ability to apply these principles to solving problems in civil engineering.

Introduce index properties of soils and subsurface investigations.

Understand the different types of soils and subsurface investigation methods.

b

1

Homework,

quizzes and
exams.

Explore subsurface methods of investigation in design.

Knowledge of different methods of soil investigations.

b, c, k

1, 2

Homework,
quizzes, and

problem solving
in class.

 

Discuss professional design practice.

Ability to select appropriate method of subsurface investigation for different types of structures.

 

b, h, i, k

1, 2

Class discussions, 

and problem

solving.  Quizzes
and exams.

Course Objective 2: Learn principles of seepage through porous media and effective stress.

Introduce basic concepts and flow through soils.

Understand the principles of seepage and effective stress.

a

1

Homework,
quizzes and exams.

Apply these principles to problem solving.

Ability to solve problems in Soil Mechanics by applying basic knowledge, skills, tool and techniques.

b, c, k

1

Homework,
quizzes, and
problem
solving in class.

Discuss application of these principles to engineering problems.

Ability to visualize, formulate, analyze and solve problems in Soil Mechanics.

e, b, h, i, k

1

Class discussions,
analyses, and
problem solving. 
Quizzes and
exams.

Course Objective 3: Learn principles of consolidation and shear strength.

Introduce consolidation theory and shear strength principles.

Understand the principles of Terzahi’s theory of consolidation and shear strength.

a

1

Homework,
quizzes and
exams.

Discuss analytical methods to solve different types of settlement problems.

Ability to solve settlement problems and learn about shear strength.

b, c, k

1

Homework,
quizzes, and
problem
solving in class.

Discuss professional design practice.

Ability to visualize, formulate, analyze and solve problems in Soil Mechanics.

e, b, h, i, k

1, 2

Class discussions,
problem analyses, and
problem solving.


 

CEE Mission, Program Objectives and Program Outcomes

 

The mission of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is:

 

·        to educate a diverse student body to be employed in the engineering profession

·        to encourage research and scholarship among our faculty and students

·        to promote service to the engineering profession and society 

 

Our program objectives are reflected in the achievements of our recent alumni.  

1 – Engineering Practice: Recent alumni will successfully engage in the practice of civil engineering within industry, government, and private practice, working in a wide array of technical specialties including construction, environmental, geotechnical, structural, transportation, and water resources.  
 

2 – Professional Growth: Recent alumni will advance their skills through professional growth and development activities such as graduate study in engineering, professional registration, and continuing education; some graduates will transition into other professional fields such as business and law through further education.  
 

3 – Service: Recent alumni will perform service to society and the engineering profession through membership and participation in professional societies, government, civic organizations, and humanitarian endeavors.  
 

Our program outcomes are what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of their graduation:
 
(a) ability to apply knowledge of math, science, and engineering
(b) ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as interpret data
(c) ability to design a system, component or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
(d) an ability to function multi-disciplinary teams
(e) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
(f) an understanding of ethical and professional responsibility
(g) an ability to communicate effectively
(h) the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
(i) a recognition of need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
(j) a knowledge of contemporary issues
(k) ability to use techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
(l) an understanding of management and leadership principles and techniques
(m) take the FE examination as the first step toward professional licensure
(n) an ability to find professional level employment or pursue an advanced degree