NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
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CE 341A - Soil Mechanics Laboratory |
Spring 2012 |
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Text: |
Das, Braja, Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual, 7th
Edition, |
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Instructor: |
Mr. Michael Agbakpe, Room # 314Colton Hall |
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Prof. Raj P. Khera, P.E., Ph.D., Office: 215 Colton Hall, Tel.
# 973-596-2475 Fax # 973-596-5790, e-mail: khera@njit.edu; Office Hours: Mon. 4-5 PM Tues. 12-2 PM |
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Week |
Experiment* |
Text Chapter |
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1 |
Introduction/Orientation |
Notes |
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2 |
Sieve Analysis |
4 |
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3 |
Hydrometer Analysis |
5 |
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4 |
Atterberg Limits |
6,7 |
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5 |
Specific gravity test | 3 |
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6 |
Compaction |
12 |
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7 |
Constant Head
Permeability Test |
10 |
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8 |
Custom Design Experiment |
Handout |
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9 |
Consolidation Test |
17 |
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10 |
Consolidation Lecture |
Handout |
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11 |
Consolidation Write Up |
Handout |
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12 |
Direct Shear
Test/Unconfined |
15,16 |
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13 |
Direct Shear
Test/Unconfined |
15,16 |
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14 |
Make up missed experiment |
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* Some modifications to schedule may be required to ensure that the laboratory
sessions follow the lectures.
1. Learn index properties of
soils and laboratory methods of soil classification
2. Learn Compaction and hydraulic conductivity tests
3. Learn principles of Consolidation and shear strength and
4. Learn to design and analyze a custom experiment
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ü Students must be in the laboratory on time. |
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ü Please read the laboratory manual and the handouts, if provided (moodle), before coming to class. Prepare in it over to the T/A as you come into class. |
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ü Use only data sheets provided in the manual to record data. ABSOLUTELY NO SCRAP PAPER. If you have no data sheet for a test please ask the Instructor for it. |
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ü Do not continue work until safe working conditions are restored. |
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ü If you need equipment or tools, ask the TA or the instructor. Do not help yourself. Do not borrow any equipment from groups other than yours. |
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ü If any equipment is not functioning properly, please bring this to the attention of the Instructor/TA. |
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ü Attendance and participation in conducting the experiment is required for the laboratory. It will count towards the grade as shown in the basis of grading. |
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ü If it is determined that you did not contribute to a laboratory report, you will get no credit whatsoever for that laboratory report. |
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ü Remove the water content containers from the oven within 48 hours. Otherwise they will be discarded. |
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ü The class will be divided into groups. All members in a group need to hand in one joint report. NJIT honor code will be observed. |
1. In order to keep work benches clean spread newspaper on the workbench or the floor wherever you are working with the soil before you do any work.
2. Each student will be responsible for the equipment he/she will be using. Please make sure that the equipment is in proper working condition prior to the start of the work and after completion of the work.
3. Students must clean up the equipment and place all the accessories at the proper locations. The cabinets and drawers have been labeled. Before leaving, you must check with TA to make sure that all this has been done. Otherwise, a penalty in the grade will be imposed.
4. After the completion of an experiment, complete as much of the computation as possible and have the instructor sign the data sheets before leaving.
5. Before approaching the instructor prior to leaving the laboratory, check that
all the information has been recorded on the data sheet (name of the experiment,
group no. names of the group members date etc). These sheets (original) must
be attached to the laboratory report. Otherwise, it will not be graded.
6. Keep wet samples in cans covered with lids until you have weighed them.
7.For drying, place the cans in a tray, making sure the lids are under the cans
and not on top of them. Place a slip of paper in the tray. Write on the slip,
the laboratory section number, date and group number.
8. Be observant - if you see something that does not look right, do not continue
with the test. Either figure out the solution or consult the instructor. For
example, while mixing soil with water, if you see some dark and light colored
soil lumps, this means that the mixing has not been done properly.
1. Check the capacity of an electronic balance before using it. Never load a
balance beyond its posted capacity.
2. Perform the zero correction before weighing.
3. Use the same balance for weighing during an experiment.
4. For water content determination, use a balance that has an accuracy of 1/100
of a gram. (0.01) is a must.
5. For samples weighing between 200g and 2000g, use a balance that has an
accuracy of 1/10 of a gram. (0.1)
6. For samples weighing more than 2000g, use a balance with an accuracy of 1 to
5 gm
Format and Basis of Grading of Laboratory Reports
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Pretest
Summary and Attendance1 |
15 points |
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Title Page2 |
5 points |
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Table of
Contents3 |
5 points |
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Abstract4 |
5 points |
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Apparatus
Required5 |
5 points |
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Procedure6 |
5 points |
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Sample
Calculations7 |
10 points |
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Results8 |
20 points |
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Discussion of
Results9 |
15 points |
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Summary and
Conclusions10 |
5 points |
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References11 |
0 points |
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Quality of
Presentation, graphs, tables etc. |
10 points |
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Total |
100 points |
1.
Pretest summary should include the information that can answer the following
questions: why to run the test? How to run it? What kinds of results are you
expected to get and how to get them (principles of the test should also be
briefly summarized). Pretest summary should be written in your own words
and one page is preferred. Attendance will be taken in 5 minutes after class
starts.
2. The cover sheet should be complete and
should contain the full names of the members of the group who were present
during the lab exercise, group number. The report should be typed and stapled on
the left hand corner. Poorly done reports will be returned for resubmission.
3. Standard
table of contents is to be provided.
4.
In abstract, firstly, the aim and the main procedure
of the test should be summarized, and then the main results and conclusions
drawn from this test should
be briefly but clearly
stated.
5. Different types of soils and the equipment
used should be clearly stated. One could refer to the manual, if the manual has
a picture and the details of the equipment.
6. Do not
write the entire procedure. Only specify the deviations, if any, from the
procedure given in the manual. State the relevant ASTM and AASHTO standards for
the test.
7. Show one
sample calculation, similar to that shown in the manual, for each experiment.
8. This
should include the completed observation sheets, tabulated results and/or graphs
(with instructor’s signature).
9. In
discussion, comment on the accuracy of your results and compare your results
with those of others (not those of your class) in identifying your sample of
soil and its properties. The application of
the test results should be also included in this part.
10. A brief
summary of your laboratory exercise is to be provided. Include conclusions.
11.
References to be provided in standard ASCE format, if any used.
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For any questions, please contact the instructor/supervisor.
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
CE 341A – Soil
Mechanics Laboratory
Description:
The students perform basic experiments in soil mechanics and design and carry
out tests to solve a specific problem.
Prerequisites: Mech 237 - Strength of Materials Co requisite: CE 341 - Soil
Mechanics
Textbook(s)/Materials Required:
Das, B.M., Principals
of Geotechnical Engineering
Course Objectives:
1. Learn how to measure the basic properties of soils.
2. Learn how to determine typical ranges of numerical values expected from those tests.
3. Learn how to use those properties in Geotechnical designs.
4.
Design
and complete a custom experiment.
Topics:
Sieve analysis
Hydrometer analysis
Water content determination
Atterberg limits
Visual soil classification
Compaction test
Permeability
Design and complete an experiment to solve a given engineering problem
Consolidation test
Direct Shear Test
Unconfined
Compression Test
Schedule: Lecture/Recitation- none (see CE 341; Soil Mechanics)
Laboratory-
3 hour class, once per week
Professional Component: Engineering Topics
Prepared By: Prof. Khera Date:
Course Objectives Matrix – CE 341A Soil Mechanics Laboratory
Strategies and Actions |
Student Learning Outcomes |
Outcomes (a-n) |
Prog.Object. |
Assessment
Methods/Metrics |
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Course
Objective 1: Learn how to measure the
basic properties of soils. |
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Show different test equipment used to measure engineering properties of soils. |
Recognize the shapes and components of soil test equipment. |
a, b, c, d |
1 |
Attendance, class participation. |
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Measure engineering properties of soils using different test equipment. |
Learn the proper way to use test equipment. |
a, b, c, d |
1 |
Attendance, class participation. |
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Interpret the test data to obtain engineering properties of soils. |
Learn how to reduce data to obtain soil property information. |
a, b, d, e |
1 |
Attendance, class participation. |
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Present the test results in the form of a laboratory report. |
Learn communication and presentation skills. |
d, f, g, h, i, k |
1, 2 |
Final report. |
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Course
Objective 2: Learn how to determine typical
ranges of numerical values expected from those tests. |
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Interpret the test data to obtain engineering properties of soils. |
Learn how to reduce data to obtain soil property information. |
a, b, d, e |
1 |
Attendance class participation |
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Compare the calculated results with typical soil data. |
Learn the accuracy of measurements and the meaning of the results. |
f, j |
1 |
Final report. |
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Present the test results in the form of a laboratory report. |
Learn communication and presentation skills. |
d, f, g, h, i, k |
1, 2 |
Final report. |
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Course
Objective 3: Learn how to use those
properties in geotechnical designs. |
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Compare the calculated results with typical soil data. |
Learn the accuracy of measurements and the meaning of the results. |
f, j |
1 |
Final report. |
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Present the test results in the form of a laboratory report. |
Learn communication and presentation skills. |
d, f, g, h, i, k |
1, 2 |
Final report. |
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Course Objective 4: Design and complete a
custom experiment. |
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Based on the experience gained, plan a set of tests that will yield answers to the problem at hand. |
Learns to design and conduct experiments to solve a problem which he/she has never tackled before. |
a, b, c, e, f, g, h, i, k |
1, 2 |
Verbally presenting their approach and solution to the instructor and final report. |
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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