Experimental Soil Mechanics
The course of Experimental Soil Mechanics is offered to the students of the Geotechnical Department. The course covers laboratory methods commonly used to determine the soil parameters that govern its engineering behaviour. As part of the course the students have the opportunity of performing standard laboratory tests using exclusively the facilities housed within the Soil Mechanics Laboratory.
Laboratory soil testing comprises of:
- soil classification tests; measurement of elementary soil properties including density, moisture content; Atterberg limit tests
- specific gravity test
- grain size analysis including sieve and sedimentation analysis
- measurement of the permeability coefficient of soils
- consolidation test
- measurement of limiting earth pressures in a retaining wall device
- Proctor test
- direct shear test
- triaxial test
By the end of the course the students possess the skills and knowledge necessary to determine the soil parameters required for the analysis and design of soil structures such as retaining walls, slopes, earthdams and foundations.