Slope Stability (CE418) Course Detail

Course Name Course Code Season Lecture Hours Application Hours Lab Hours Credit ECTS
Slope Stability CE418 3 0 0 3 6
Pre-requisite Course(s)
CE 311 Soil Mechanics
Course Language English
Course Type N/A
Course Level Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery Face To Face
Learning and Teaching Strategies Lecture, Question and Answer, Problem Solving, Team/Group.
Course Coordinator
Course Lecturer(s)
  • Asst. Prof. Dr. Ebru AKIŞ
  • Research Assistant Burak AKBAŞ
Course Assistants
Course Objectives The objective of this course is to provide a detailed background for slope stability and to teach methods used in the stability analysis and stabilization.
Course Learning Outcomes The students who succeeded in this course;
  • The students will learn the slope stability concepts.
  • The students will learn the causes of slope failures and landslides.
  • The students will be able to determine the shear strength parameters of the soil from laboratory and field test results.
  • The students will be able determine the factor of safety of a slope by carrying out slope stability analysis.
  • The students will be able to propose alternative stabilization methods to unstable slopes.
Course Content Overview of slopes and stability concepts, examples of slope failure, causes of slope failures, review of soil mechanics principles and shear strength of soil: drained and undrained conditions, total and effective stress, drained and undrained shear strength, laboratory and field Testing of earth materials for slope stability.

Weekly Subjects and Releated Preparation Studies

Week Subjects Preparation
1 Introduction to slope stability and landslides: overview of slopes and stability concepts, examples of slope failure, causes of slope failures
2 Introduction to slope stability and landslides: overview of slopes and stability concepts, examples of slope failure, causes of slope failures
3 Review of soil mechanics Principles and shear strength of soil: Drained and undrained conditions, total and effective stress, drained and undrained shear strength;
4 Review of soil mechanics principles and shear strength of soil: Drained and undrained conditions, total and effective stress, drained and undrained shear strength;
5 Review of soil mechanics principles and shear strength of soil: Drained and undrained conditions, total and effective stress, drained and undrained shear strength;
6 Laboratory and field testing of earth materials for slope stability: Field study in landslides, exploration methods at site, triaxial tests, direct shear tests, other tests and interpretation;
7 Laboratory and field testing of earth materials for slope stability: Field study in landslides, exploration methods at site, triaxial tests, direct shear tests, other tests and interpretation;
8 Laboratory and field testing of earth materials for slope stability: Field study in landslides, exploration methods at site, triaxial tests, direct shear tests, other tests and interpretation;
9 Laboratory and field testing of earth materials for slope stability: Field study in landslides, exploration methods at site, triaxial tests, direct shear tests, other tests and interpretation;
10 Slope stability analysis: Modes of failure, factor of safety concepts, stability conditions for analysis, limit equilibrium methods, slice methods, infinite slope, design charts, pseudostatic analysis;
11 Slope stability analysis: Modes of failure, factor of safety concepts, stability conditions for analysis, limit equilibrium methods, slice methods, infinite slope, design charts, pseudostatic analysis;
12 Slope stability analysis: Modes of failure, factor of safety concepts, stability conditions for analysis, limit equilibrium methods, slice methods, infinite slope, design charts, pseudostatic analysis;
13 Slope stability analysis: Modes of failure, factor of safety concepts, stability conditions for analysis, limit equilibrium methods, slice methods, infinite slope, design charts, pseudostatic analysis;
14 Slope Stabilization Methods
15 Final Exam Period
16 Final Exam Period

Sources

Other Sources 1. Abramson, L.W., Lee, T.S., Sharma, S., Boyce G.M., Slope Stability and Stabilization Methods, 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2001.
2. Duncan J.M., Wright S.G., Soil Strength and Stability, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2005
3. Turner A.K., Schuster R.L., Landslides Investigation and Mitigation, Special Report 247, National Academy Press Washington, D.C., 1996.
4. Knappett,J.A., Craig, R.F., Craig’s Soil Mechanics, 8th Edition, Spon Press, 2012.
5. Das B.M., Sobhan K., Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, 8th Edition, Cengage Learning, 2014.
6. Budhu, M., Foundations and Earth Retaining Structures, John Wiley & Sons, 2007.
7. Önalp A., Arel E., Geoteknik Bilgisi II-Yamaç ve Şevlerin Mühendisliği, Birsen Yayınevi Ltd. Şti., 2004.

Evaluation System

Requirements Number Percentage of Grade
Attendance/Participation - -
Laboratory - -
Application - -
Field Work - -
Special Course Internship - -
Quizzes/Studio Critics - -
Homework Assignments 4 15
Presentation 1 25
Project - -
Report - -
Seminar - -
Midterms Exams/Midterms Jury 1 25
Final Exam/Final Jury 1 35
Toplam 7 100
Percentage of Semester Work 65
Percentage of Final Work 35
Total 100

Course Category

Core Courses X
Major Area Courses
Supportive Courses
Media and Managment Skills Courses
Transferable Skill Courses

The Relation Between Course Learning Competencies and Program Qualifications

# Program Qualifications / Competencies Level of Contribution
1 2 3 4 5
1 Adequate knowledge in mathematics, science and engineering subjects pertaining to the relevant discipline; ability to use theoretical and applied knowledge in these areas in the solution of complex engineering problems. X
2 Ability to formulate, and solve complex engineering problems; ability to select and apply proper analysis and modeling methods for this purpose.
3 Ability to design a complex system, process, device or product under realistic constraints and conditions, in such a way as to meet the desired result; ability to apply modern design methods for this purpose.
4 Ability to select and use modern techniques and tools needed for analyzing and solving complex problems encountered in engineering practice; ability to employ information technologies effectively.
5 Ability to design and conduct experiments, gather data, analyze and interpret results for investigating complex engineering problems or discipline specific research questions.
6 Ability to work efficiently in intra-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary teams; ability to work individually. X
7 Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; knowledge of a minimum of one foreign language; ability to write effective reports and comprehend written reports, prepare design and production reports, make effective presentations, and give and receive clear and intelligible instructions.
8 Awareness of the need for lifelong learning; ability to access information, to follow developments in science and technology, and to continue to educate him/herself.
9 Knowledge on behavior according ethical principles, professional and ethical responsibility and standards used in engineering practices.
10 Knowledge about business life practices such as project management, risk management, and change management; awareness in entrepreneurship, innovation; knowledge about sustainable development.
11 Knowledge about the global and social effects of engineering practices on health, environment, and safety, and contemporary issues of the century reflected into the field of engineering; awareness of the legal consequences of engineering solutions.

ECTS/Workload Table

Activities Number Duration (Hours) Total Workload
Course Hours (Including Exam Week: 16 x Total Hours) 16 3 48
Laboratory
Application
Special Course Internship
Field Work
Study Hours Out of Class 14 2 28
Presentation/Seminar Prepration 1 15 15
Project
Report
Homework Assignments 4 7 28
Quizzes/Studio Critics
Prepration of Midterm Exams/Midterm Jury 1 15 15
Prepration of Final Exams/Final Jury 1 16 16
Total Workload 150