a

CIV 477

LECTURER:

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

FRANCIS ACHAMPONG, Ph.D. P.E.

0271811363 (cell)

Course Outline

Topics:
1. Introduction to Geotechnical engineering (Luke 6:47-49)
2. Review of Soil Mechanics
- The origin and Character of Soil Deposits
- Unsaturated soils
- Weight-Volume relationships
- Stresses in Soil
- Strength, Compressility and Settlement
3. Site Charaterization
- Site Investigation
- Preliminary exploration, field reconnaissance, local experience
- Detailed sub-surface exploration
- Methods permitting visual examination
- In-situ examination and Testing
- Sampling technigues
- Types of boring, borehole testing, non borehole testing
- Geophysical exploration
- Geotechnical investigation proposal
- Soil exploration report
4. Deep Foundations
- Piles and piled foundations
- classification of piles, load carrying capacity of piles, pile driving,
- Settlement of single and pile groups

- Drilled Caissons
5. Stability of excavations in soils; earth pressure on braced excavations
- Tropical weathered soils
- Rock stability analysis, rock strength and yield
- Behaviour of rock masses and discontinuities in rocks
- Environmental impact assessment
REFERENCES
Foundation Design, Principles and Practices by D.P. Coduto
Laterite soil engineering

by M.D. Gidigasu

Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering by Das

Engineering Geology, Principles and Practice by D.G. Price

Course Work 30%, Exams 70%