14 531syllabusrev09-14
14 531syllabusrev09-14
14 531syllabusrev09-14
Textbook: Soil Mechanics, Lambe, T.W. and Whitman, R.V., (John Wiley and
Sons)
Helpful Textbooks (not required but good for a geotechnical engineer to have):
Principles of Soil Mechanics, R.F. Scott (Addison-Wesley)
Soil Mechanics, R.F. Craig (Taylor & Francis Group)
Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering, C.S. Desai and J.T. Christian
(McGraw-Hill)
Mohr Circles Stress Paths and Geotechnics, R. H. G. Parry (Taylor & Francis
Group)
An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering, R.D. Holtz and W.D. Kovacs
(Prentice-Hall)
Course Description
Theories of soil mechanics and their application. Drained and undrained stress-strain
and strength behavior of soils. Lateral earth pressures, bearing capacity, slope stability,
seepage and consolidation. Lab and in-situ testing.
Component % of Grade
Weekly Assignments 50%
Midterm Exam 25%
Final Exam 25%
Grading will NOT be conducted on a curve; it is theoretically possible for the whole
class to earn an A or an F. You will have one (1) week from when assignments and/or
exams are returned to discuss your grade.
Assignments, with the noted exception of the course project, will have 20% late penalty
deduction from the earned points for each day past the assignment due date. Note the
assignment due date will be determined by the Instructor and told to students in class
the day the assignment is given. Any assignment extensions will also be told to
students in class. Assignments must be handed directly to the Instructor unless
directed otherwise by the Instructor. For example, an assignment due on a Friday is
turned in the following Monday. The student earned a grade of 82/100 points for the
assignment. The assignment is three days late (Saturday is 1 day late, Sunday is 2
days late, Monday is 3 days late). 20% of 82 points is 16.4 points, times 3 equals 49.2
points. The final assignment grade = 82 - 49.2 = 32.8 points.
A ≥ 93%
90% ≤ A- < 93%
87% ≤ B+ < 90%
83% ≤ B < 87%
80% ≤ B- < 83%
77% ≤ C+ < 80%
73% ≤ C < 77%
70% ≤ C- < 73%
65% ≤ D < 70%
F < 65%
Email Policy:
When required, I will send class information to students via email using the Intercampus
Student Information System (iSiS) system. iSiS sends emails to your UML student
email address. Every student who registers for courses at the University of
Massachusetts – Lowell receives a UML student email address. If you have not already
setup your student email, contact the UML Information Technology Department at 978-
934-4357 (934-HELP) or visit http://www.uml.edu/it/shared/EMail_Students.html.
Students are responsible for checking your UML email account for messages from me
for this course.
Academic Support:
Please contact me privately if you need accommodations because of a disability. The
University’s Policy for Students with Disabilities will be followed for this course
(http://www.uml.edu/student-services/disability/policy.html).
Number of L&W
TOPIC(S)
Lectures Section
Introduction and The Nature of Soil
Phase Relations
Soil Mineralogy
1.5 Part I & Part II
Index Properties
Soil Classification
Interparticle Forces
Dry Soil
Principal Stresses
Stress Paths
Stress Distributions
Stress-Strain Behavior of Sands
4.5 Strength of Sands Part III
Mohr-Coulomb Theory
Lateral Earth Pressure
Rankine Theory
Bearing Capacity & Settlement of Shallow
Foundations
Soil with Water – No Flow or Steady Flow
Effective Stress Concept
1 & 2 Dimensional Flow
Permeability & Flow Nets
4 Part IV
Drained Stress-Strain and Strength Behavior
Stability of Drained Slopes and Retaining Walls
Bearing Capacity and Settlements of Shallow
Foundations under Drained Conditions
Soil with Water – Transient Flow
Pore Pressure during Undrained Loading
Consolidation Theory
3 Stress-Strain and Strength during Undrained Part V
Loading
Slopes, Retaining Walls, and Shallow
Foundations during Undrained Loading
Key Dates:
November 26: Class (Thursday Class Schedule on a Wednesday)
November 27: No Class (Thanksgiving)
December 3: Last Day to Withdraw with Grade of W.
TBD: Last Day to submit Graduate Clearance Form for Fall degree.