NG3S107 - Geotechnical and Environmental Engineering 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2022 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: NG3S107
Module Title: Geotechnical and Environmental Engineering
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Built Environment and Civil Engineering
Faculty Sub Group: Civil Engineering
Module Leader: Jerome Daly
Module Team: , Phil Young, Gareth Jones, Emma McGivern, Blessing Adeleke, Gareth Jones
First Intended Intake: MAY 2017 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100551 - geotechnical engineering
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2022

Module Aims

To extend and development understanding in the interpretation and analysis of geotechnical theory and data and apply them to practical design and construction problems.

To introduce the student to the engineering, science, technology and sociology of protecting, enhancing and managing the quality of the environment.

Content Summary

Skempton's A and B pore pressure parameters; introduction to stress path analysis and critical state soil mechanics. Develop settlement analysis of cohesive soils; elastic settlement of clays; methods of accelerating and reducing.

Bearing capacity of foundations, development of the general bearing capacity theory in relation to EC7; methods of pile design and load testing.

Stability of cuttings and embankments in soils and rocks, development of effective stress analysis; remedial measures and methods of stabilisation.

Review field instrumentation, types of instruments, their application and methods of installation; assessment of contaminated and marginal land.

Lateral earth pressure, active and passive soil pressures in design of sheet pile retaining walls using basic and empirical methods of analysis. Flow of water around retaining structures; confined and unconfined flow.

Environmental hydrology and hydraulics - surface and groundwater water hydrology, pollution sources and control/remediation, water supply and distribution systems.

Modelling environmental quality; surface water quality monitoring and modelling.

Flood Hydrology

This module will facilitate the development of Personal Development Planning through the delivery of the key skills identified below in the module descriptor.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 24
Tutorial 24
Practical classes and workshops 26
Independent Study 72
Directed Study 50
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 4
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Utilise and apply understanding of theory of geotechnics and hydrology to the engineering design process.
LO2 Utilise and critical review data and systematically analyse the information to produce engineering design solutions.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 Lab Design Report 0 2000 40 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) Onsite Closed Book Examination 1 Examination 150 N/A 60 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Report 1
Onsite Closed Book Examination 1

Reading List

Barnes, G.E. (2010), Soil Mechanics, Soil Mechanics, 3rd ed., Palgrave Macmillan; ISBN 0230579804

Smith, I. (2006), Elements of Soil Mechanics 8th ed., Wiley-Blackwell; ISBN 1405133708

Wyllie D. C. (Hoek E. & Bray J. W.) (2004), Rock Slope Engineering, 4th Edition, Spon Press; ISBN 041528001X

Tomlinson M. J. (2001), Foundation Design and Construction, 7th ed, Prentice Hall; ISBN 0130311804

Hester R. & Harrison R. M. (2001), Assessment and Reclamation of Contaminated Land, Thomas Telford; ISBN 0727729888

Sarsby R. (2000) Environmental Geotechnics. Thomas Telford. ISBN 0727727524

Eurocode 7: Geotechnical Design, 2004, General Rules; ISBN 9780580671067

Eurocode 7: Geotechnical Design, 2007, Ground Investigation and Testing; ISBN 9780580505690

Kiely, G. (1996), Environmental Engineering: McGraw-Hill.

Lee, C. C. and Lin, S. D. (Eds) (2007), Handbook of Environmental Engineering Calculations, 2nd edition: McGraw-Hill Professional, ISBN-10: 0071475834 ; ISBN-13: 978-0071475839