GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING - I

CIV 316 Credits : 3

Prerequisites:
Engineering Mechanics; Engineering Geology.
Course Objectives:
The main objective of the course is to impart basics of soil mechanics to the student
1. To identify and classify soils based on index properties.
2. To determine the stresses in soils with and without flow of water through them.
3. To explore techniques for effective compaction of soils for construction of
embankments and earth dams.
4. To determine the magnitude and duration of settlement of buildings in clayey
deposits.

Course outcomes:
By the end of the course, student will be able to:
1. Determine the physical characteristics of soils and use their interrelationships to
solve civil engineering problems.
2. Determine the plasticity characteristics of soil and classify soils based on standard
codes.
3. Analyse the various stresses in a soil mass and determine the permeability of soil.
4. Analyze the effect of seepage and explore techniques for effective compaction of
soil for construction of embankments and earth dams.
5. Estimate the magnitude and duration of settlements of buildings in clayey deposits
subjected to loads from the superstructure.
Mapping of course outcomes with program outcomes:
PO PSO

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3

1 3 1 1 2 2 2 3 1 1
2 3 1 2 2 2 2 3 1 2
CO 3 3 3 1 1 2 2 2 3 1 1
4 3 3 3 1 2 2 2 3 3 1
5 3 3 3 1 2 2 2 3 3 1

SYLLABUS
UNIT - I 12 Periods
Introduction: Origin and Formation of soils; Residual and Transported soils.
Physical Properties of Soil: Three phase system - phase diagram - physical properties-
Functional Relationships between physical properties-determination of water content,
specific gravity, In-situ density-Relative density and its determination.
UNIT - II 12 Periods
Plasticity Characteristics of soil: Atterberg’s limits and their determination-liquid limit,
plastic limit, shrinkage limit and index properties-Activity-Free swell index-Free swell ratio-
Swell potential.
Soil Classification: Soil classification-need and criteria for soil classification-IS Particle size
classification-Classification tests-grain size analysis, sedimentation analysis-hydrometer
analysis- grain size distribution curves. Unified Soil Classification-AASHTO Classification-
Group Index- Indian Standard Soil classification- Coarse grained soils- Fine grained soils-
Plasticity chart.
UNIT - III 12 Periods
Stress Distribution: Stresses due to self weight-total, neutral and effective stresses- Vertical
stress due to applied loads- Boussinesq theory- Concentrated load-Strip footing-below centre
of circular footing- Rectangular footing-Newmark’s influence chart - Pressure bulb-
Significant depth- Westergaard theory - 2:1 distribution method
Permeability: types of soil water, Permeability-Darcy’s law-Factors effecting permeability-
laboratory tests-Average permeability of stratified soils.
UNIT - IV 12 Periods
Seepage Analysis: Seepage pressure-quick sand condition-critical hydraulic gradient-flow
nets, properties-uses of flow nets.
Compaction: Principle of compaction, OMC and MDD, Lab tests-IS light weight and heavy
weight compaction tests, factors effecting compaction., zero air void line-effect of
compaction on engineering properties of soil, field compaction-compaction equipment based
on soils, relative compaction, field tests for compaction control.

UNIT - V 12 Periods
Consolidation: Definition and significance-mechanism-Terzaghi’s soil-spring analogy -lab
consolidation test-elog p curve-Coefficient of compressibility-coefficient of volume change-
compression index-determination of consolidation settlement - Terzhaghi 1D theory-time
settlement calculations. Determination of coefficient of consolidation-time fitting methods-
Rectangular hyperbola method- Preconsolidation pressure-normally consolidated and over
consolidated clay-Over consolidation Ratio - secondary consolidation.

TEXTBOOKS
1. Narasinga Rao, B.N.D.(2015), Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Wiley
Publishers
2. Arora, K.R. (2001), “Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering”, Standard
Publishers, Delhi.

REFERENCES
1. Murthy, V.N.S. (2009), “A text book of Soil Mechanics and Foundation
Engineering”, UBS Publishers Distributors Ltd., New Delhi.
2. Punmia, B.C. (1995) “Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering”, Laxmi
Publications Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.
3. Braja M. Das, (2005), “Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering”, Thomson Asia
Pvt. Ltd., Singapore.
4. Craig, R.F. (2014), “Soil Mechanics”, McGraw hill, New Delhi
5. Gopal Ranjan and Rao,A.S.R. (2007), “Basic and Applied Soil Mechanics”, New age
International (P) Ltd, New Delhi.
6. Relevant NPTEL Courses.