Soil Mechanics

(CE31)
 Soil Mechanics
Course Description
Deals with the study of the identification and
classification of Soils and Rocks, Site investigation and
subsurface exploration, the physical and index
properties of soil, compaction, water flow through
soils, subsurface stress and deformation phenomena in
soils, laboratory testing and the relevance of these
topics as they affect soil strength, compressibility,
stability, and drainage. A thorough knowledge of
engineering geology and the mechanics of deformable
bodies is imperative.

Prerequisite: Mechanics of Deformable Bodies

Number of Units for Lecture and Laboratory:

3 units lec., 1 unit lab

Number of Contact Hours per Week:

3 hours lec. 3 hours lab

 Course Objectives
After completing this course, the student must be
able to:
1. Define soil mechanics and its importance
in civil engineering;
2. show proficiency in determining soil and
rock properties soil parameters for analysis and
design relevant to geotechnical engineering;
3.describe the fundamentals of
geotechnics;
4. demonstrate concepts and principles of
field exploration and
5. Various subsurface explorations
equipment, soil laboratory tests and equipment
 Course Outline

1. Introduction: Soil Its importance in Civil

Engineering and Mans Most Common
and Complex construction material.
Origin of soil and rocks. Soil identification
and classification;
2. Formation of Soil and Soil Deposits. Site
Investigation and subsurface exploration.
Soil Description and Field Tests;
3. Index Properties of Soil. Mass-Volume
Relationship
4. Consistency of Soils: Atterberg Limits
 Course Outline

1. Classification Tests for Soils: AASHTO,

USDA, Unified Tests;
2. Soil Compaction and Field Tests;
3. Soil Taxanomy;
4. Permeability of Soils;
5. Stresses in soil
6. Capillarity of Soils. Seepage and Drainage
of Soil
Suggested Reference:

1. Mc Carthy, David F. 2001. Essentials of Soil

Mechanics and Foundations: Basic Geotechnics, 6th
Edition. New Hersey, USA: Prentice Hall
2. Liu, Cheng 2000. Soils and Foundations. New York,
USA: John Wiley & Sons
3. Liu, Cheng 2000. Soil Properties Testing
Measurement and Evaluation, 4th edition. New
Jersey, USA: Prentice Hall
4. Budhu, Muni. 2000. Soil Mechanics and
Foundations. New York, USA: John Wiley & Sons
5. Das, Braja. 1999. Fundamentals of Geotechnical
Engineering. Brooks/Cole Publishing Co.
Suggested Reference:

1. Mc Carthy, David F. 2001. Essentials of Soil

Mechanics and Bowles, Joseph. 1995.
Foundation Analysis and Design. 5th Edition.,
USA
2. Cernica, John N. 1995. Soil Mechanics. USA:
John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
3. Terzahi, Karl et. Al. 1995. Soil Mechanics for
engineering Practice. John Wiley and Sons,
Inc
4. Sowers, Geroge F., Sowers, George B. 1979.
Introductory Soil Mechanics and Foundation.
Macmillan, New York
Grading System:
MIDTERM/FINALTERM

LECTURE(75%)
QUIZZES....40%
ASSIGNMENT/ATTENDANCE/Seatwork..10%
PERFORMANCE TASK......20%
MAJOR EXAM.30%
TOTAL..100%
LECTURE(25%)
LABORATORY MAJOR EXAM......40%
HANDS ON EXERCISE...30%
LABORATORY EXERCISES/REPORTS......30%
TOTAL..100%
PASSING RATE: 70%
FINAL GRADE = 1/3 MIDTERM GRADE + 2/3 FINAL GRADE
RULES:
QUIZZES:
Will be announced
No valid reason, no special quiz
ABSENCE:
Absence due to illness may be excused if the student
submits a medical certificate issued by the University
Physician or any other physician
The student who has incurred an absence of more
than seventeen percent (17%) of the total number of
contact hours that the class is recited during the whole
semester shall be automatically dropped from the class
roll. He/she shall be given a grade of Dropped with
Failure (D/F) by the instructor concerned.
RULES:

Laboratory Reports
Submitted in the next meeting(Lab Hours)

MAJOR EXAMS:
Will be announced
No valid reason, no special exam
Provide justification (medical certificate, etc)

IMPORTANT!
The student is considered tardy when he/she arrives to
class past 25% of the scheduled class time, and if a student is
tardy 3 times, he/she will be considered absent for one class
meeting.
RULES:

INC GRADE
A final grade of Inc is given to the
student who may qualify for passing but has
not taken the final examination or has not
complied with other major requirements of
the subject. Such requirement(s) must be
complied/satisfied within one school year
(2 semesters and one summer) reckon
from the end of the term that the student
incurred the Inc; otherwise the Inc grade
shall automatically be converted into a
grade of 5.0.