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ECIV 539 Experimental Methods in Geotechnical Engineering1. Course ObjectivesStudents will learn how to apply state-of-the-art testing methods and data analyses on geotechnical experiments in the laboratory and field. This will be done through a combination of literature surveys, hands-on testing, and numerical modeling and simulation.
2. Required Texts/ReadingsMost of the required readings will come from journal sources including American Society for Testing and Materials: Geotechnical Testing Journal American Society of Civil Engineering: Jour. of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Eng. Soil Science Society of America Journal; Division S-1- Soil Physics Textbook references include: Methods of Soil Analysis; Volume 1, Physical and Mineralogical Methods, A. Klute ed SSSA Experimental Soil Mechanics, J-P Bardet Prentice Hall Manual of Soil Laboratory Testing, Vols. 1,2,3 by K.H. Head, Pentech Press Operational Manuals for respective testing equipment On-line tutorials for data-acquisition and signal conditioning 3. Instructional Delivery StrategyStudents will first review fundamentals of measurement, transducers, signal conditioning and data acquisition as it applies to geotechnical testing and measurement. Next they will perform hands-on tests using the equipment in the laboratory in a round-robin fashion so that every student has an opportunity to use as much equipment as possible. Additionally, the students will study articles on previous, similar testing and results as well as perform numerical modeling, where appropriate. Lecture 30 % Hands-on testing 40% Student Discussions/Presentations 30% 4. Course RequirementsLecture materials and literature survey knowledge will be evaluated by quizzes following the respective sections. When the students have completed a suite of tests, they will submit a short (3-5 pg text plus data appendices) summary report. Additionally, graduate students will study and apply the course information to their own research; either directly by applying the testing methods or indirectly by using test data to augment their analyses. This work will be presented to the class in a final written report and presentation. Undergraduates will be given a quiz on the final presentations of their classmates. Grade Weights Graduate Credit Undergraduate Credit Quizzes 2@ 10% 20% Quizzes 2@ 10% 20% Memo Reports 3@15% 45% Memo Reports 3@15% 45% Class Participation 15% Class Participation 15% Grad: Final Report/Pres 20% Quiz on Final Pres. 20%
Grading Scale 90-100 A 80-89 B 70-79 C 60-69 D <60 F 5 Topical Outline:Part 1 Measurement, Transducers, and Signal Conditioning(Weeks 1,2)An Introduction to Measurements in Geotechnical Engineering Measurement Quantities and Transducers Electronics: Power Supply and Signal Conditioning (Quiz) Part 2 Data Acquisition and Test Control (Weeks 3,4)Data Acquisition and Digital Signal Processing Algorithms for Data Logging and Test Control (Quiz) Part 3 Laboratory Strength and Modulus Testing (Weeks 5-10)Index Testing Direct Shear Testing Triaxial Testing Cyclic Triaxial Testing Resilient Modulus Testing Resonant Column Torsional Shear Testing (Memo Rept.) Part 4 Laboratory Hydraulic Conductivity Testing (Weeks 11-13, w/pt 5)*Constant and Falling Head Methods Hydraulic Conductivity Testing by Constant Flow Method Soil-Water Characteristic Curve Testing (Memo Rept.) Part 5 Field and Non-Destructive Testing (Weeks 11-13, w/pt 4)*Cone Penetrometer Testing Standard Penetration Test Shallow Seismic Testing: Surface Seismic and Cross-Hole Testing (Memo Rept.) * Field work is often difficult to schedule, therefore it may be intertwined with the other laboratory testing Part 6 Other Physical Modeling and Full-Scale Experimentation (End)Centrifuge Testing Full-Scale Prototype testing (Research Report)
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