Soil Mechanics (CE311) Course Detail

Course Name Course Code Season Lecture Hours Application Hours Lab Hours Credit ECTS
Soil Mechanics CE311 3 2 0 4 5.5
Pre-requisite Course(s)
None
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, Experiment, Question and Answer, Drill and Practice, Problem Solving.
Course Coordinator
Course Lecturer(s)
  • Asst. Prof. Dr. Ebru Akış
  • Research Assistant Burak AKBAŞ
Course Assistants
Course Objectives This course provides an introduction to the fundamental principles of soil mechanics and the behavior of engineering soils. Students will also gain experience in the analysis of geotechnical applications such as retaining walls, slope stability problems etc.
Course Learning Outcomes The students who succeeded in this course;
  • Classify the soils according to Unified Soil Classification System
  • Understand the principle of effective stress, and be able to apply this to calculate the stresses causing soil deformation
  • Calculate quantities of water flow through the ground, and understand the effects of water flow in effective stress calculations
  • Determine the strength parameters and understand the difference between total and effective stress approaches
  • Calculate the settlements, and rates of settlement
  • Evaluate strength parameters from laboratory tests
Course Content Site investigations and subsurface explorations, origin of soil and grain size soil formation, weight-volume relationships, plasticity and structure of soil, engineering classification of soil, analysis of deformation and settlement, soil compaction, permeability, seepage, in situ stresses, stresses in a soil mass.

Weekly Subjects and Releated Preparation Studies

Week Subjects Preparation
1 Introduction
2 Basic properties of soils
3 Basic properties of soils
4 Principles of effective stress
5 Principles of effective stress + Flow of water in soils
6 Flow of water in soils
7 Flow of water in soils + Consolidation
8 Consolidation
9 Consolidation
10 Shear strength of soils
11 Shear strength of soils
12 Lateral earth pressure theories
13 Lateral earth pressure theories
14 Stability of slopes
15 Final Exam Period
16 Final Exam Period

Sources

Other Sources 1. Das B. M., Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, Eight Edition, Thomson Publication
2. Craig R. F., Craig’s Soil Mechanics, Seventh Edition, Taylor and Francis Publication

Evaluation System

Requirements Number Percentage of Grade
Attendance/Participation - -
Laboratory 10 10
Application - -
Field Work - -
Special Course Internship - -
Quizzes/Studio Critics 4 5
Homework Assignments - -
Presentation - -
Project - -
Report - -
Seminar - -
Midterms Exams/Midterms Jury 2 55
Final Exam/Final Jury 1 30
Toplam 17 100
Percentage of Semester Work 70
Percentage of Final Work 30
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. X
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. X
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. X
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. X
9 Knowledge on behavior according ethical principles, professional and ethical responsibility and standards used in engineering practices. X
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 10 2 20
Application
Special Course Internship
Field Work
Study Hours Out of Class 14 2 28
Presentation/Seminar Prepration
Project
Report
Homework Assignments
Quizzes/Studio Critics 4 2 8
Prepration of Midterm Exams/Midterm Jury 2 10 20
Prepration of Final Exams/Final Jury 1 14 14
Total Workload 138