Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Courses

Land utilization by individuals in relation to geology, mineralogy, physico-chemistry and geotechnical properties of component soils. Cation exchange reactions and effects of pollutants on soil properties. Erodability of soils in relation to moisture content, mineralogy, climate and attack by moving water, mineral water interactions, multiphase flow, acid mine drainage, solution-mineral equilibria, geochemical modeling. [Course Outline]

Design of foundation for all types of structures. Spread footings, raft and piled foundations, floated foundations, embankments, etc. The focus is on methods of analysis, and their applications to real soil problems. [Course Outline]

Strengthening and stabilizing soil and rock masses, and resisting structural movements by anchoring them via prestressed reinforcement is achieved by anchoring. Also, to withstand lateral forces, temporary tie-backs in soil are necessary for construction of shallow foundations. This practical and informative course is aimed for graduate students interested in safe and economic methods for strengthening engineering structures. The objective of this course is to provide an in depth review of design, applications and installation methods for anchoring in rock and soil. [Course Outline]

The general objectives of this course are to: (1) introduce the observational method in geotechnical engineering; (2) introduce a broad range of in situ testing devices that students will encounter and use in practice; (3) provide a solid understanding of the applications and limitations of these devices through an examination of their theoretical, experimental, and empirical development; (4) introduce first-hand the use and interpretation of some of these devices, instrumentation, and measurements at real project sites and via selected important case histories; and (5) discuss emerging technologies and trends in in-situ testing. The course includes four written assignments, a term project and a final exam. [Course Outline]

The objectives of the course are for the students to develop an understanding of the engineering properties of rocks, geotechnical investigations and reporting geological and engineering rock classifications, rock failure theories, in-situ stresses in rock, and the fundamental concepts and principles of rock mechanics.   This course is the pre-requisite for Rock Mechanics II which covers the applications of rock mechanics principles in the design of foundations, slopes and underground openings in rock. [Course Outline]

Vibrations of foundations on soil, elastic elements and piles, embedded foundations; foundations of nuclear facilities, machine foundations, modal analysis of foundations using complex eigenvalues; soil-structure interaction. [Course Outline]

This course introduces the concepts, theories and procedures of geotechnical earthquake engineering. Topics include: earthquake and ground motion parameters; laboratory and field measurement of dynamic soil properties; ground response analysis and dynamic soil-structure interaction; liquefaction; and seismic design of retaining walls, slopes and dams. [Course Outline]

This course is intended to introduce the field of offshore geotechnical engineering and to apply fundamental soil mechanics principles to problems associated with this environment. To present the behaviour of offshore soils, the interaction of these soils and structures during cyclic loading events due to wave and wind loading. To show offshore geotechnical engineering systems and the approaches required for their design. On completion of the course, students will have the necessary knowledge and skills for them to approach the design of a wide range of offshore geotechnical engineering problems. [Course Outline]