UNION COLLEGE

Geology Department - Environmental Studies Program

New Course, Spring 2008

Environmental Geotechniques

GEO-252 / ENS-252

Lectures: TTH 9:00 AM- 10:45 AM, Location OLIN-307; Lab TH 1:55 - 4:45 PM, Location OLIN-332

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course explores the natural characteristics, techniques of coring, methods of classification, and testing of soils as a material impacted by the surrounding environment. The utilized methods of testing are those standardized by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Basic topics covered are soil exploration, composition, flow and permeability, compaction, compressibility, strength, slope stability, and environmental geotechnology with focus on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) testing and design specifications. Three class hours and a weekly lab. Prerequisite ENS100 (Introduction to Environmental Studies) or GEO102 (Environmental Geology).

COURSE GRADE

Assignments & Quizes = 25%

Lab Reports = 20%

Mid Term Test (6th week) = 20%

Project = 15%

Final Examination = 20%

NOTES

*      Assigned homework is due as will be arranged. Late submission results in partial grade loss. A one week late submission results in total grade loss.

*      Students are encouraged to attempt additional problems at the end of every chapter, however, submission is not required.

*      Unannounced quizzes are probable to ensure students are keeping up with course work.

*      Attendance of final exam is mandatory. Students may elect to transfer the grade of the term test to the final exam. This election, however, must be made before the term test. Students should be aware of the risk involved with such a decision.

TEXT BOOKS

Das, B.M. (2006). "Principles of Geotechnical Engineering" Sixth Edition, Thomson-Engineering, ISBN-10: 0534551440, ISBN-13: 978-0534551445.

Koerner, R.M. (2005). " Designing with Geosynthetics" Fifth Edition, Prentice Hall, ISBN-10: 0131454153, ISBN-13: 978-0131454156.

COURSE SYLLABUS

Soil Exploration

            Common Methods of Sampling

Soils and Rocks

            Rock Cycle and the Origin of Soil

            Soil Particles

            Clay Minerals

            Mechanical Analysis of Soil

            Effective Size, Uniformity Coefficient, and Coefficient of Gradation

Soil Composition

            Weight-Volume Relationships

            Unit Weight, Void Ratio, Moisture Content, and Specific Gravity Relationships

            Unit Weight, Porosity, and Moisture Content Relationships

            Relative Density

            Consistency of Soils

            Unified Soil Classification System

Soil Compaction

            General Principles

            Standard Proctor Test

            Factors Affecting Compaction

            Modified Proctor Test

            ASTM and AASHTO Specifications for Compaction Test

            Structure of Compacted Cohesive Soil

            Effect of Compaction on Cohesive Soil Properties

            Field Compaction

            Specifications for Field Compaction

            Determination of Field Unit Weight of Compaction

            Special Compaction Techniques

            Soil stabilization and deep mixing

            Environmental remediation

Flow of Water in Soil: Permeability and Seepage

            Hydraulic Gradient

            Darcy's Law

            Coefficient of Permeability

            Laboratory Determination of the Coefficient of Permeability

            Effect of Temperature on Coefficient of Permeability

            Equivalent Permeability in Stratified Soils

            Permeability Test in Field by Pumping From Wells

            Coefficient of Permeability from Auger Holes

            Equation of Continuity

            Flow Nets

            Uplift Pressure under Hydraulic Structures

Effective Stress Concept

            Stresses in Saturated Soil without Seepage

            Stresses in Saturated Soil with Seepage

            Seepage Force

            Heaving in Soil due to Flow around Sheet Piles

            Effective Stress in Partially Saturated Soil

            Capillary Rise in Soil

            Effective Stress in the Zone of the Capillary Rise

Determination of Shear Strength Parameters for Soils in the Laboratory

            Triaxial Shear Test

            Unconfined Compression Test of Saturated Clay

            Sensitivity and Thixotropy of Clay

Compressibility of Soil

            Fundamentals of Consolidation

            One-Dimensional Laboratory Consolidation Test

            Void Ratio Pressure Plots

            Normally Consolidated and Overconsolidated Clays

            Effect of Disturbance on Void Ratio-Pressure Relationship

            Influence of Other Factors on e-log p Relationship

            Calculation of Settlement due to One-Dimensional Primary Consolidation

            Compression Index

            Swell Index

            Settlement due to Secondary Consolidation

            Time Rate of Consolidation

            Coefficient of Consolidation

Designing with Geosynthetics

Allowable versus ultimate geotextile properties

         Strength-related problems

         Flow-related problems

Designing for separation

         Overview of applications

         Burst resistance

         Tensile strength requirement

         Puncture resistance

         Impact (Tear) resistance

Designing for roadway reinforcement

         Unpaved roads

         Membrane-encapsulated soils

         Paved roads

Designing for soil reinforcement

         Geotextile reinforced walls

         Geotextile reinforced embankments

Designing for filtration

         Overview of applications

         General behavior

         Geotextiles behind retaining walls

         Geotextiles around underdrains

         Geotextiles beneath erosion control structures

         Geotextile silt fences

Design for drainage

         Overview of applications

         General behavior

         Gravity drainage design

         Pressure drainage design

         Capillary migration breaks

Designing with geonets

         Allowable flow rate

Designing with geonet drainage

         Transportation-related applications

         Environmental-related applications

LABORATORY SCHEDULE

Lab (1): Grain size distribution of granular soils (for soil classification).

Lab (2): Atterberg limits of cohesive soils (clay).

Lab (3): Moisture-density relations of soils (compaction test).

Lab (4): Permeability of granular soils (constant head).

Lab (5): Unconfined compressive strength of cohesive soil.

Lab (6): Direct shear test of soils under consolidated drained conditions.

Lab (7): One-dimensional consolidation properties of soils.

Lab (8): Unconsolidated, undrained compressive strength of cohesive soils in triaxial compression.

Lab (9): Testing of Geosynthetics

Lab (10): Applications of Geosynthetics.

SPECIFICATIONS OF LAB REPORT

Students will work in randomly divided groups. Groups are to submit lab reports showing their specific test results. All group members will get the same grade, therefore it is the group members' collective responsibility to contribute to the effort of report preparation. Any student in any group who wishes to submit his/her own lab report is free to do so and will be graded independently. The lab report shall include a cover page with the names of all partners in the group, course and test titles, and date. The report itself shall contain the objective of the test, procedure, a sketch of equipment used, tables of data recorded, presentation of results in charts and graphs, and conclusions. The report should emphasize the technical aspect of the test. Emphasis of grading will be placed on the technical content of the report as well as clarity, creativity, and correctness of writing.

PROJECT ENVIROTOPIA

Introduction

Envirotopia is a research-based project with focus on environmental soil hazards and the efforts made for clean up and remediation. It is also possible to conduct an environmental impact study of a site where a new facility is proposed. Furthermore, one can make site characterization for real estate development the focus of his/her project. This project is for the students registered in the Environmental Geotechniques course.

Project Subject

Each student is free to choose the project subject they like to study. Students in this course come from many departments. Students may wish to address in their project a problem that is closely related to their major since soil problems/contamination/pollution has many environmental dimensions. Students may also wish to explore a new field of interest or use a theme of a subject that has intrigued them.

The Environmental Geotechniques course covers a wide variety of topics. These topics include soil composition, permeability, compaction, shear strength, consolidation, and recent advances in environmental geotechnology. A quick scan of the above topics, one can immediately see that each and every one of these topics requires an in-depth study of soil properties and structure in order to determine the most proper method for efficient clean up and remediation of contaminated soil. This may also be necessary for site characterization and environmental impact studies.

There are numerous examples in the literature of well established as well as experimental methods for site clean up. Students are to report in depth on a project of their choice and explain the rational behind the selection of the method used and its relationship with the site soil conditions and properties.

Resources

Students may collect the scientific and technical information about their chosen project form one or more of the following sources: the Internet, technical publications, professional journals, magazines, textbooks, movies, documentaries, and all other credible sources including interviews with knowledgeable individuals.

Students are required to cite in their report all the sources they used in their research. Internet sites are cited using the address (URL) of those sites. All other references are to be cited with the name of author, year, title of paper or book, page, and publisher.

Progress Report

In the sixth week of the term, each student is required to submit a progress report. This should include the name of the student, title of the project, and a statement describing the subject. The instructor will provide feedback and approve the project subject if it involves the expected level of rigor. If more than one student selected the same subject, the instructor will advise these students that different projects are required.

Submittals

In the ninth week of the term, the final electronic report of the project is due. The report should be equivalent to at least 10 pages of text (double-spaced type with one inch margin on all sides). In addition to the 10 pages of text, students may add pictures, tables, graphs, charts, figures, and any other supplementing materials as they see fit. The total length of the report, however, may not exceed the equivalent of 20 pages.

Grading Criteria

In addition to the written report, students are required to make 8-10 minutes class presentation. The presentations will take place during the lab time in the tenth week of the term.

The grade in this project will be assigned based on the quality and organization of the report, relevance of content to the problem under consideration, understanding, clarity of presentation, organization, and demonstration of ability to address questions with comprehension.

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