CEE 3410 - Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering

Fall. 4 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: ENGRD 2020 or permission of instructor.

D. Orr.

This course covers the fundamentals of geotechnical engineering and deals with soil as an engineering material in civil and environmental applications. Topics include origins and descriptions of soil and rock, principles of effective stresses, stress distribution and ground settlements from surface loads, steady-state and time-dependent subsurface fluid flow, soil strength and failure criteria, earthwork construction and quality control, introduction to lateral earth pressures, and geotechnical exploration.

Outcome 1: Develop a practical overview of soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering, and the application of important principles to civil infrastructure.

Outcome 2: Develop analytical skills in dealing with soil as a medium for water flow, structural support, and a primary building material.

Outcome 3: Gain direct experience with soil properties via laboratory testing and case studies to make justify decisions about the engineering significance of these properties.