Course Catalogue.

PART 1 - Basic Soil Mechanics Concepts

After participating in this course, you will be able to:

• Appreciate the importance of geology in soil mechanics.
• Determine index properties of soils.
• Characterize and classify different soils.
• Understand how water changes the states of soils.

Description
Geotechnical engineering is a branch of civil engineering that deals with the mechanical behaviour of soil and rock and their interaction with structures. Most engineers responsible for the design and construction of structure, energy and transportation systems need a working understanding of basic geotechnical engineering concepts to gain confidence in dealing with various soil and foundation-related problems that they encounter on engineering projects.

This course is designed so that participants can better understand basic concepts of geotechnical mechanics (origin and formation of soil, soil types, index properties, and classification).

Course Outline

• Origin and formation of soil: soil types
• Phase relationships in soil: index properties
• Soil description and classification
• Particle size distribution: Sieve analysis and Hydrometer tests
• Consistency of soil: clay minerals, Atterberg limits
• Stress in soil: total and effective stress

PART 2 - Water in Soils (Permeability and Seepage)

After participating in this course, you will be able to:

• Determine the hydraulic conductivity (also called permeability) of soils.
• Determine the rate of flow through soil.
• Calculate flow under and within earth structures.
• Calculate pore water pressure and uplift seepage force.
• Appreciate the importance of the flow of water through soils.

Description
The flow of water in soil may cause instability and failure of many geotechnical structures (e.g., excavation, embankments, dams, roads and bridges).

This lecture focuses on the 1-dimensional and 2-dimensional flow of water in the soil. All key concepts, including the mechanism of flow, rate of flow, determination of flow rate in different applications, and flow control, will be explained, and emphasis will be placed on the practical application of the information provided.

Course Outline

• Mechanism of flow in soil
• Soil permeability
• 1D and 2D flow through the soil
• Seepage analysis for dams and retaining walls
• Impact of the flow of water on the stability of shoring systems and dams

PART 3 - Slope Stability

After participating in this course, you will be able to:

• Understand the forces and activities that provoke slope failures
• Understand the factors controlling the stability of slopes.
• Estimate the stability of slopes.
• Appreciate the role of different slope stabilization techniques in slope stability.

Description
Many geotechnical structures (e.g., dams, levees, highways, canals and excavations) are constructed by sloping the lateral faces of the soil, as building slopes is generally less expensive than constructing walls. Failure of natural slopes (landslides) and man-made slopes have resulted in the loss of life, destruction, economic losses, and environmental damage.

This lecture aims at understanding the mechanisms controlling the stability of slopes, analyzing the strength of slopes against any potential failure, and developing stabilization techniques to stabilize unstable slopes.

All key concepts will be explained, and emphasis will be placed on the practical application of the information provided.

Course Outline

• Shear strength of soils
• Factors controlling slope instability
• Slope stability analysis (hand calculation and available programs)
• Slope stabilization techniques

Who Should Attend
Those who deal with construction-related geotechnical engineering issues or need to build background on slope stability analyses and design, including:

• Civil, Environmental and Transportation engineers/Technicians
• Geologists, city and public works officials/planners