Course Title: Test and evaluate soils

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2010

Course Code: CIVE5683

Course Title: Test and evaluate soils

School: 130T Vocational Engineering

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6093 - Advanced Diploma of Engineering Design

Course Contact: Program Manager

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4468

Course Contact Email: engineering-tafe@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Program Coordinator: Mr Tony Skinner
Tel. 9925 4444 Fax. 99254377
Email: tony.skinner@rmit.edu.au

Teacher: Mr Ahmet Ertuncay
Tel. 9925 8375 Fax. 99254377
Email: ahmet.ertuncay@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 40

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

CIVE5658 (EDX130B) Use technical mathematics (basic).
CIVE5654 (EDX010B) Communicate and apply standard industry precedures and policies in an engineering design office.

Course Description

This unit of competency deals with the skills and knowledge required to correctly classify soils and carry out standard tests in order to evaluate soils.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

EAC120B Test and evaluate soils

Element:

1. Classify soils using standard classification systems, tests and various soil parameters.
2. Perform a compaction test.
3. Determine soil properties from the results of triaxial and direct shear tests.
4. Demonstrate understanding of the behaviour of engineering soils

Performance Criteria:

1.1 The processes from which soils are formed and transformed are examined and soil classification systems established.
1.2 Sieve analysis and Atterberg limits tests are performed according to
AS 1289.
1.3 Laboratory reports are prepared which includes aims, apparatus, procedure, results, comments and conclusions.
1.4 Any divergence from AS 1289 is noted in the report.
1.5 Soils can be classified from visual examination, field tests and laboratory tests.
1.6 Soils can be classified from the results of particle size distribution and Atterberg limits tests.
1.7 Typical behaviour of different classes of soils in engineering situations can be described.
1.8 Phase diagrams can be drawn for a soil having different degrees of saturation.
1.9 The various parameters can be defined describing voids, water and density and the influence of voids and density on soil behaviour explained.
1.10 A soil particle density test on sand is observed and a brief laboratory report is prepared which includes determination of the SPD.
2.1 A standard or modified compaction test is performed.
2.2 The moisture content versus dry density diagram is plotted and used to determine optimum moisture content and maximum dry density.
2.3 The zero air voids line calculations are plotted on the diagram.
2.4 The aims and process of compaction can be described.
2.5 Optimum moisture content can be explained.
2.6 Dry density curves can be drawn to show the influence of compaction effort and type of soil.
2.7 The principles of a C.B.R. test is examined and a prepared standard laboratory report which includes a load versus penetration curve used in the determination of the zero correction line and the C.B.R. ratio.
2.8 Stabilisation techniques, common tests (laboratory and field) and simple pavement thickness design can be explained.
3.1 The operation of the triaxial and the direct shear test is examined.
3.2 Test parameters and tabulated results are used to construct tables and graphs to determine soil properties.
3.3 Coulomb failure envelopes and Mohr’s circle is used to determine cohesion and the angle of internal friction.
3.4 A laboratory report is prepared which includes a graph showing the Coulomb lines and determining the angles of internal friction.
4.1 The main groupings of soils can be described including the types, origins, constituents and properties.
4.2 Sketches can be completed of typical soil profiles, including various water table situations and defects and the influence of each on the behaviour of the soil mass explained.
4.3 The process of consolidation can be described in terms of the dash pot analogy
4.4 The influence of pore water pressure and seepage pressure on soil stability can be described.
4.5 The methods of soil stabilisation can be described and the merits of each technique identified.
4.6 The suitability of various plants for compacting soils can be determined.
4.7 The various site exploration operations, sampling and testing techniques and equipment can be described.
4.8 The interaction between soil and structure can be discussed and the modes of failure of embankments, buildings, roads, retaining walls, dams etc identified.


Learning Outcomes


.


Details of Learning Activities

Teacher-led :
- The origin and the process of soil formations are explained.
- Parameters related with soil are explained.
- Atterberg limits test is explained and demonstrated.
- Sieve analysis test is performed and explained.
- Soil particle density test is demonstrated.
- Compaction test is explained and demonstrated.
- Parameters associated with the compaction test are explained.
- The principles of CBR test are examined.
- The operation of the triaxial and the direct shear tests are examined.
- Parameters related with triaxial and direct shear tests are explained.
- The main groupings of soils are explained.
- Soil stability, soil stabilisation and related parameters are examined.
- Site exploration methods, sampling and testing techniques and equipment are described.
- Relations between soil and structures are described.

Student-based problem-solving :
- Participate in individual problem solving activities completed to industry standard related to typical engineering workplace problems requiring:
- Calculate all parameters related to soil.
- Calculate and complete test work sheets for sieve analysis, soil particle density, Atterberg limits, compaction and CBR.
- Determine cohesion and the angle of internal friction by using Mohr’s circle.

Lab work
- Observe soil particle density test.
- Perform sieve analysis test.
- Perform Atterberg Limits test.
- Perform compaction test (standard/modified).
- Observe CBR test.
- Observe triaxial and direct shear tests.


Teaching Schedule

Week Number Topic Content Delivery
Including Learning activities
Element/
Learning Outcome
Assessment task
1 Classification of Soils 1.0 - 1.1 – 1.2  
2 Classification of Soils 1.3 – 1.4  
3 Classification of Soils 1.5 Soil Particle Density Prac. (Due week 4)
4 Classification of Soils 1.6  
5 Classification of Soils   Atterberg Limits Lab. (Due week 6)
6 Classification of Soils   Sieve Analysis Lab. (Due week 7)
7 Classification of Soils 1.7  
8 Compaction Test 2.0 – 2.1  
9 Compaction Test 2.2 – 2.3  
10 Compaction Test   Compaction Test Lab. (Due week 11)
11 Compaction Test 2.4 – 2.5 C B R Prac. (Due week 12)
12 Determination of soil properties from the results of Triaxial and Direct Shear Tests 3.0 – 3.1  
13 Determination of soil properties from the results of Triaxial and Direct Shear Tests 3.2 Triaxial and Direct Shear Prac. (Due week 14)
14 The behaviour of engineering soils 4.0 – 4.1 – 4.2 – 4.3  
15 The behaviour of engineering soils 4.4 – 4.5 – 4.6 – 4.7  
16 Revision    
17 Course feedback
Final Assessment
  Written Test (Due week 17)
18 Course feedback
Final Assessment
   


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

From online notes posted on blackboard.


References

- Manual of Soil Laboratory Testing Volume 1, K. H. Head, Pentech Press,
- Australian Standard 1726 – Geotechnical Site Investigations,
- Australian Standard 1289 - Methods of testing soils for engineering purposes,
- Australian Standard 1141 - Methods for sampling and testing of aggregates


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment are conducted in both theoretical and practical aspects of the course according to the performance criteria set out in the National Training Package. Students are required to undertake summative assessments that bring together knowledge and skills.

To successfully complete this course you will be required to demonstrate competency in each assessment tasks detailed under the Assessment Task Section.


Your assessment for this course will be marked using the following table

NYC (<50%)
Not Yet Competent

CAG (50-59%)
Competent - Pass

CC (60-69%)
Competent - Credit

CDI (70-79%)
Competent - Distinction

CHD (80-100%)
Competent - High Distinction


Assessment Tasks

Assessment Tasks
There are six assessments for learning elements and a final written test in the last session covering two hours. The seven assessments all contribute to the final result for this course. There are no extensions to assessment tasks.
Assessment 1 – Soil Particle Density Test (Practical Test)
This practical assessment (in the class) will focus on your practical ability to solve problems, complete work-sheet and report results of the soil test.  This practical exercise will have a weighting of 2% of the final overall assessment mark.
Assessment 2 – Atterberg Limits Test (Laboratory Test)
This practical assessment (in the laboratory) will focus on your practical ability to conduct the test, solve problems, complete work-sheet and report results of the soil test.   This laboratory exercise will have a weighting of 10% of the final overall assessment mark.
Assessment 3 – Sieve Analysis Test (Laboratory Test)
This practical assessment (in the laboratory) will focus on your practical ability to conduct the test, solve problems, complete work-sheet and report results of the soil test.   This laboratory exercise will have a weighting of 10% of the final overall assessment mark.
Assessment 4 – Compaction Test (Laboratory Test)
This practical assessment (in the laboratory) will focus on your practical ability to conduct the test, solve problems, complete work-sheet and report results of the soil test.   This laboratory exercise will have a weighting of 10% of the final overall assessment mark.
Assessment 5 – CBR Test (Practical Test)
This practical assessment (in the class) will focus on your practical ability to solve problems, complete work-sheet and report results of the soil test. This practical exercise will have a weighting of 2% of the final overall assessment mark.
Assessment 6 – Triaxial / Direct Shear Test (Practical Test)
This practical assessment (in the class) will focus on your practical ability to solve problems, complete work-sheet and report results of the soil test. Provide written assignment regarding Triaxial and Direct Shear tests.  This practical exercise will have a weighting of 10% of the final overall assessment mark.
Assessment 7 - Written Test
A two hour exam will be held to assess the learning outcomes listed under the elements / performance criteria. The final assessment is a closed book written test.  This assessment will have a weighting of 56% of the final overall assessment mark




Assessment Matrix

Competency / Module


Assessment1
2 %


Assessment2
10 %

Assessment3
10 %

Assessment4
10 %

Assessment5
2 %

Assessment6
10 %

WrittenTest
56 %
Classification of Soils x x x       x
Compaction Test       x x   x
Determination of soil properties from the results of Triaxial and Direct Shear Tests           x x
The behaviour of engineering soils             x

  Overall score 100 %.

Other Information

You need to obtain minimum PASS from all assessment tasks, failing one or more assessment task will result in failing the course.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview