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CIVL 4750 Numerical Solutions To Geotechnical Problems: I: TA: T V: Tuesday/ C O

This document provides information about the course CIVL 4750 Numerical Solutions to Geotechnical Problems offered in the fall 2016 semester. The course aims to teach students how to use numerical methods and commercially available software to analyze and solve common geotechnical engineering problems involving soil behavior, seepage, slope stability, consolidation, and piles. Over the course of 7 topics, students will learn finite difference and finite element methods, and use software programs SEEP/W, SLOPE/W, PLAXIS, and FLAC to conduct numerical analyses on geotechnical case studies. Student assessments include assignments, a midterm exam, and a group project. Prerequisites for the course are introductory numerical methods and

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Choffo Yannick
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146 views3 pages

CIVL 4750 Numerical Solutions To Geotechnical Problems: I: TA: T V: Tuesday/ C O

This document provides information about the course CIVL 4750 Numerical Solutions to Geotechnical Problems offered in the fall 2016 semester. The course aims to teach students how to use numerical methods and commercially available software to analyze and solve common geotechnical engineering problems involving soil behavior, seepage, slope stability, consolidation, and piles. Over the course of 7 topics, students will learn finite difference and finite element methods, and use software programs SEEP/W, SLOPE/W, PLAXIS, and FLAC to conduct numerical analyses on geotechnical case studies. Student assessments include assignments, a midterm exam, and a group project. Prerequisites for the course are introductory numerical methods and

Uploaded by

Choffo Yannick
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CIVL 4750 Numerical Solutions to Geotechnical Problems

Fall 2016 [3–0–0:3]

INSTRUCTOR: Dr Jidong ZHAO Room 3589 (E-mail: [email protected])


TAS: Ms Xingyue LI Room 4028 (E-mail: [email protected])
Mr Huanran WU Room 4028 (E-mail: [email protected])

TIME AND VENUE: Tuesday/Thursday 12:00 -13:20 Room 4503 (Lift 25-26)
Tutorials: Computer Lab Room 3207 (Use lecture time)

COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course aims to provide students with fundamental knowledge and numerical skills
solving practical geotechnical problems. It will offer hands-on experiences to students in
using commercially available design and analysis software, and help students to establish
key judgements on selection of model parameter and verification of the numerical results.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The students will be taught in this course to use general-purpose computer software
packages to investigate general behaviour of soils and to solve common geotechnical
problems associated with seepage, slope stability, consolidation and piles. Computer
programs based on the finite difference and finite element methods will be the focus of the
course.

PREREQUISITES
• MATH 230 (Introduction to Numerical Methods)
• CIVL 3720 (Soil Mechanics)

TENTATIVE COURSE SYLLABUS


1. Use of computers in geomechanics
• Using numerical methods and computers in geomechanics
• Analysis of a geotechnical / foundation engineering problem
• Analytical solutions to geotechnical problems
• Quick survey of numerical methods and programs
• Categorization of mathematical problems types
• Numerical errors

2. Introduction to the finite difference and finite element methods


• Strong formulation – Introduction to the finite difference (FD) method
o Formulation of the problem
o Formulation of numerical solutions
o Solution procedures for an axially loaded 1D pile (by hand)
o Finite difference solution of Terzaghi’s one-dimensional consolidation
• Weak formulation – Introduction to the finite element method (FEM)
o Formulation of the problem
o Finite element equations
o Gaussian quadrature
o Solution of the axially loaded pile problem
• Tutorial: Finite Difference Analysis of Terzaghi’s 1D Analysis

CIVL4750 Syllabus, Fall 2016 1


3. Two-dimensional finite element method for seepage analysis
• Theory of volumetric water content and permeability functions
• 2D finite element formulations
• Use of Geo-Slope program SEEP/W
• Tutorials: Seepage analysis I (Steady-state analysis)
Seepage analysis II (Transient analysis-analysis of water infiltration)
4. Slope stability analysis
• Basic concepts
• Slope stability analysis methods
• USE of Slope/W
• Cooperation with finite element method
• Tutorials: Slope stability analysis using Slope/W (I)
Stability of a slope during rainfall infiltration (II)
5. Introduction to constitutive models of soils
• Basic principles
• Brief introduction to continuum mechanics
• Overview of constitutive models
• Introduction to elastic, perfectly plastic, and critical state models
• Determination of critical state soil parameters using laboratory tests
• Typical model parameters for soils and rocks
6. Two-dimensional finite element procedures for stress-strain analysis
• 2D finite element procedures and FE discretisation
• Mesh considerations
• Problems that can arise with elements
• Obtaining a convergent solution
• Applying initial and in-situ conditions
• Displacement boundary conditions
• Construction sequence
• Methods for undrained /drained /consolidation analyses
• Tutorials: Analysis of strip footing on sand using PLAXIS 2D
Analysis of excavation using a tie-back wall by PLAXIS 2D
7. Two-dimensional finite difference procedures and use of FLAC
• Background of FLAC
• General solution procedures
• Boundary and initial conditions
• Loading and sequential modelling
• Slope stability analysis–strength reduction technique
• Tutorials: Excavation analysis with FLAC2D
Slope stability analysis with FLAC2D

ASSESSMENTS
• Three assignments (24%)
• Midterm exam (40%)
• Group project (36%)

REFERENCES
• Zhao, J.D., 2016. CIVL 4750 Lecture Notes for Numerical Solutions to Geotechnical
Problems, HKUST.

CIVL4750 Syllabus, Fall 2016 2


• Zhang, L.M. 2010. CIVL 375 Notes-Numerical Solutions to Geotechnical Problems.
HKUST.
• GEO-SLOPE International Ltd. 2007. SEEP/W and SLOPE/W 2007 Manuals.
www.geo-slope.com
• Itasca Consulting Group, Inc. 2000. FLAC Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua,
V4.0, www.itascacg.com
• PLAXIS 2D/3D 2010 Manual. www.plaxis.nl

CIVL4750 Syllabus, Fall 2016 3

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