Learning Package CIVE1129 4th Ed

School of Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering 2
CIVE1108/CIVE1129
Learning Package
Fourth Edition, 2014
This courseware is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 and subsequent
amendments, no part may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means or process
whatsoever without the prior written permission of the publisher.
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Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1108/CIVE1129

This Learning Package is part of the study materials for CIVE 1108
Geotechnical Engineering 2, which is a course offered by the College of
Science, Engineering and Health at RMIT University. It was written and
revised annually by:
 Dr Abbas Mohajerani
Published by RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3000.
This courseware is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the
Copyright Act 1968 and subsequent amendments, no part may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means or
process whatsoever without the prior written permission of the
publisher.
Disclaimer
While the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (“RMIT
University”} endeavours to provide accurate material on its web site, it
gives no warranty concerning the accuracy of the material provided by
this service. Users should refer to the originating bodies or
departments sourcing the documents for confirmation of the accuracy
of the material.
RMIT University provides hypertext links to a number of external sites,
but does not accept responsibility for material on these external sites.
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international copyright laws.
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Acknowledgements
RMIT acknowledges the contributions to this Learning Package by
external copyright owners.
All weblinks (other than to Home Pages) are provided with express
permission of the website owner (or with permission pending).
Other materials – illustrations, tables, worked examples and text – are
provided within the copyright provisions of Australian law for
educational institutes. All such materials are acknowledged at their
point of use.
Project sponsored by: Mark Shortis (Dean Academic development,

SET portfolio)
Instructional Design: Warren Nageswaran, Meg Colasante
Desktop Publishing & Graphics: Geoff Marchiori,
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Table of Contents
Course Outline 02
Introduction 03
Conceptual background 06
Progress through the course 06
Resources 06
Study needs 09
Submission of assessment 10
Evaluation process 11
Use of icons 12
Graduate Attributes 13
Planning and Time Management Chart 14
Assessment 18
Schedule 20
Learning Guide 22
Course structure and online delivery 23
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Topic 1: Introduction 24
Topic 2: Soil Physical Characteristics – Review: 28
Topic 3: Consolidation of Fine-grained Soils 32
Topic 4: Shear Strength of Soil 36
Topic 5: Earth Pressures and Retaining Walls 40
Topic 6: Slope Stability 44
Topic 7: Bearing Capacity of Soils and Settlement of Shallow 48

Foundations
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Course Outline
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1
Course Outline
Introduction
Course – Geotechnical Engineering 2
Welcome to the course Geotechnical Engineering 2.
This course builds on the basic introductory material from
Geotechnical Engineering 1 to develop concepts and models for
analysis and design of engineering projects involving soils in a natural
or compacted state.
Course Development
Dr Abbas Mohajerani, Senior Lecturer
Course Coordinator
Email: dr.abbas@rmit.edu.au
Phone: +61 (03) 9925-3080
Address : School of Civil, environmental & Chemical
Engineering
City Campus, RMIT University
Dr Mohajerani is a civil engineer, specialised in the field of soil

mechanics and geotechnical engineering. After completing a 5-year
civil engineering program, he did a Masters and a PhD in geotechnical
engineering at North Carolina State University and the University of
Western Australia, respectively. He also completed several advanced
courses in geotechnical engineering at the University of California,
Davis, Oregon State University and the University of New South
Wales. Dr Mohajerani has many years of industrial, teaching and
research experience in the area of geotechnical engineering.
Some of the courses Dr Mohajerani has taught include: soil and rock
mechanics, geotechnical engineering, pavement design, building
materials, construction, and statics. He has supervised several PhD
and Masters Students, and has had numerous papers published in
various technical journals. He is currently the senior supervisor for
three PhD students.
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2
Offering Coordinator
Dr Dilan Robert, Lecturer
Email: dilan.robert@rmit.edu.au
Phone: +61 (03) 99251908
Address : School of Civil, environmental & Chemical
Engineering
City Campus, RMIT University
Dr Robert is a lecturer in Civil Engineering at RMIT University,

Melbourne, Australia. He joined the geomechanics group of RMIT
University in March 2014. He is given as the role of offering
coordinator for Geotechnical Engineering 2 (CIVE1129).
Dilan obtained his first degree (BSc hons) from University of
Moratuwa, Sri Lanka in 2005 with the First class and Gold medal. He
started his career as a civil engineer at State Engineering Corporation,
Sri Lanka, working as a Site Engineer for one year. He then joined the
geotechnical group of University of Moratuwa as an Assistant Lecturer.
Dilan was awarded the Cambridge commonwealth Trust scholarship in
2006 to read his PhD at Cambridge University, U.K. He finished his
PhD from Cambridge in 2010, and joined KW Ltd, London as a subsea
geotechnical Engineer. Having worked in this role for nearly 2 years, he
moved to Australia in 2012 to accept a research fellow position at
Monash University. He has more than 10 refereed journal and
conference papers in published/accepted level and more than 15
technical/consultancy reports in a broad range of subjects on soil-
structure interaction.
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3
Conceptual Background
This course assumes that you have:
 successfully completed Geotechnical Engineering 1 or equivalent
Progress through the Course

Use the Planning and Time Management chart at the end of Part A to
assist you in working through the course. The chart lists all your topics
and their learning outcomes, and the activities and assessments to
complete. Make sure you use the Time Management chart as a way of
scheduling your time, and assessing your progress.
You will be studying this course over a suggested duration of 12 weeks
(approximately 12 hours per week).
When you have completed the course Learning Guide, put aside some
time for review before the examination.
Communicating with your Course Coordinator

Whenever you have a problem or a question, you will be able to contact
your coordinator via email (dr.abbas@rmit.edu.au).
Resources
Computer Access:
You will be able to have online access as a student of RMIT University.
You will be given a generic password, which you can then change if
you wish.
This will enable you to:
 Ask your coordinator questions via email
 Register and send your assessments when indicated in the Learning
Guide
 Access programs online where indicated in the Learning Guide
 Talk to students at other campuses in forums or as part of a group
activity
 Access announcements relevant to your study. Make sure you
access announcements at least once a week.
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4
Set Text:
Your set text for this course is:
Muni Budhu, Soil Mechanics & Foundations, 3rd Edition, 2011, John
Wiley & Sons.
Other references and resources specifically used with this Learning
Package will be outlined in the course guide produced and published
online or in the Blackboard.
Further Reading:
The following provide additional references for exploration:
 Das, B.M. 2013. Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering, 4th ed.,
Cengage Learning.
 Whitlow, R. 1995. Basic Soil Mechanics, 3rd ed., Longman: Essex,
England
 Craig, R.F. 1997. Soil Mechanics, 6th ed., E & FN SPON: London
 Lambe, T.W. & Whitman, R.V. 1979. Soil Mechanics, SI edition,
Wiley: New York
 Terzaghi, K., Peck, R.B & Mesri, G. 1996. Soil Mechanics in
Engineering Practice, 3rd ed., Wiley: New York
Weblinks:
Throughout this course you will be directed to many websites to
enhance your studies by using the resources of the Internet. While
most of these websites are provided as additional to your study, we
recommend that you look at them at least briefly. They have been
selected for their quality and innovative approach to the material you
are studying. You should find many of them to be illuminating if not
fun.
If you are studying online you will be able to click on a weblink to go
immediately to the website and the document of interest at that
website. In a few cases you may be linked to a Home Page from which
you will have to follow a number of prescribed steps to get to the
document we would like you to look at.
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If you are not studying online you will need to type its URL) to your
browser’s bar. You may find it useful to add the website to a Bookmark
for future reference after you have opened the website.
As with all websites there may be occasions when you try to open the
website but are unable to do so. You should consider this no different
to when you get busy tone when trying to make a telephone call. Your
best advice is to wait a little while and try again. From time to time,
however, websites do change and sometimes a resource is withdrawn.
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Study Needs
Although studying can be difficult at times, you can help yourself by
being organised and allocating specific times for your study. There are
some general guidelines which may help you:
 Plan your week. Schedule the times when you will be working
through the Learning Guide.
 Ask questions of your tutor. Don’t wait until you feel swamped or
overwhelmed. Ask questions when you first have a problem.
 Use your student group as a network and assistance. It has been
proven many times that a group of students can help each other to
keep motivated and working to schedule.
Course-specific Study Needs

Feedback will be provided in the following manner:
General comments of relevance to all students undertaking the course
will be posted on the Blackboard in the Learning Hub.
Specific comments of relevance to a particular group or student will be
sent directly via Student Emails, and will be discussed in tutorial
classes.
Submission of Assessment
A schedule of when assessments are due can be found in detail in the
course guide produced and published online prior to start of each
semester.
Plagiarism
RMIT University requires that you present your own work for
assessment. The rules against plagiarism – representing the work of
others (published or unpublished) as your own – are strict and will be
enforced diligently. Here is the RMIT’s current plagiarism statement.
Read it and make sure you understand its importance.
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Plagiarism statement
Plagiarism is a form of cheating in assessment. Plagiarism can occur in
oral, written or visual presentations. It is the presentation of the work,
idea or creation of another person, without appropriate referencing, as
though it is your own. Plagiarism is not acceptable. The use of another
person's work or ideas must be acknowledged. The penalties for
cheating in assessment are severe, whether the cheating involves
plagiarism, fabrication, falsification of data, copyright infringement or
some other method. Penalties can include charges of academic
misconduct, cancellation of results and exclusion from your course. It is
also a disciplinary offence for you to allow your work to be plagiarised
by another student. You are responsible for keeping your work in a
secure place.
Legal Office (university solicitor)
You can keep informed about the University’s plagiarism requirements

at http://mams.rmit.edu.au/1oavdg0bdd1.pdf.
Feedback
Each Learning Outcome in this course is associated with a set of
activities to help you master the knowledge and skills required. Some
of these activities are self-assessment questions for which answers are
provided so that you can assess your achievement throughout your
study. In some cases activities will be exercises from your prescribed
text book. We encourage you to attempt these questions before looking
at the provided solutions.
You may be asked to prepare descriptive answers to some self-
assessment questions. Since there is no one perfect answer to such
questions, the provided answer will be an indication of a good
response against which you can judge your own response. The
provided answer may be a list of key points that your answer should
cover, rather than a descriptive answer.
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Use of Icons
The following icons have been used throughout this Learning Guide to
indicate what you need to do next.
Reference/reading/resource/research – this may be printed and
available in Part D: Resources, an additional recommended text,
audio or video tape or web site.
Individual Activity – may be self assessment questions, problem

solving, demonstration, simulation, lab, checklist/short answer
after reading, case study. Complete the activity following
instructions given.
Group Activity – may be problem solving, lab, case study,

demonstration. Complete the activity following instructions
given.
Feedback – turn to Feedback section at end of Part C: Learning

Guide to check answers and responses for the activities.
Frequently Asked Questions – provides some responses to key

areas students have highlighted as queries or difficulties.
Summary and Outcome Checklist – what has been learnt, in

preparation for assessment
Assessment – must be achieved to pass topic or group of topics.

Turn to Part B: Assessment for details of assessment
requirements.
Additional reading and research to extend knowledge of key area
Evaluation – tool to gain student feedback on course content,

structure and/or implementation issues
Branching - research and extension material giving alternative

approaches to an issue or problem
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Generic Attributes of Graduates

In line with the requirements of Engineers Australia for accreditation
purposes, the engineering courses at RMIT are designed to provide the
community with engineers who:
 have the ability to apply knowledge of basic science and
engineering fundamentals.
 have the ability to communicate effectively, not only with engineers,
but also with the community at large.
 have in-depth technical competence in at least one engineering
discipline.
 have the ability to undertake problem identification, formulation
and solution.
 have the ability to utilise a systems approach to design and
operational performance.
 have the ability to function effectively as an individual and in multi-
disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, with the capacity to be a
leader or manager as well as an effective team member.
 have an understanding of the principles of sustainable design and
development.
 have an understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities
and commitment to them.
 have an expectation of the need to undertake lifelong learning, and
the ability to do so.
The overall program develops and demonstrates these attributes. This

course integrates a range of these attributes into the various topics, as
indicated through outcomes stated at the beginning and statements in
the Summary and Outcome Checklist for each topic.
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Planning and Time Management Guide: Geotechnical Engineering 2

Week(s) of Topic Learning outcomes Approx Activities
study hours
Wk 1 1. Introduction (Review):  Describe the subdivisions of civil engineering, 6 Activity 1A: Web search
1. Geotechnical Engineering the disciplines of soil mechanics and
 Geotechnical engineering
geotechnical engineering
Activity 1B: Read & note
 Describe what range of problems geotechnical
engineering covers  Text reading
 Name some major organisations which are

involved with geotechnical engineering
projects, and describe the type of activities they
are involved in
Wk 1 2. Soil physical characteristics  Define the key terms used in describing soil 6  Questions to guide reading
(Review): physical characteristics
Activity 2A: Readings &
1. Physical properties of soils  Describe and calculate the basic physical soil Exercises
properties used in Geotechnical Engineering
 Text reading
 Describe and apply the Unified Soil
 Interactive problem solving
Classification System
Activity 2B: Video clips
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study hours
 On liquid limits and plastic
limit tests
interactive
problem
solving
Wk 2&3 3. Consolidation of fine-grained  Describe the time dependent consolidation 24 Activity 3A: Readings &
soils: settlement of fine-grained soils under vertical Exercises
1. Basic concepts on Consolidation load
 Text reading
2. Calculation of primary  Calculate consolidation settlement of fine-
 Interactive Animation
consolidation settlement grained soils
3. One dimensional consolidation  Work through examples
 Calculate consolidation settlement of fine-
theory grained soils  Complete exercises &
4. Secondary compression quizzes
 Describe the laboratory consolidation test
settlement
5. One dimensional consolidation  Interpret laboratory test results to obtain
laboratory test consolidation parameters
 Describe the use of sand drains/Wick drains to
accelerate the settlement of fine-grained soils
Wk 4&5 4. Shear strength of soils:  Determine the shear strength of soils 24 Activity 4A: Readings &
Exercises
1. Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criterion  Describe the differences between drained and
2. Laboratory test for determination undrained shear strength  Text reading
of shear strength parameters  Virtual laboratory practice
 Describe laboratory shear testing of soils
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study hours
3. Direct shear test  Interpret laboratory and field test results to  Work through examples
4. Triaxial shear test obtain shear strength parameter
 Complete exercises &
5. Stress path quizzes
Wk 6&7 5. Earth pressures and retaining  Describe the types and failure modes of 24 Activity 5A: Readings &
walls: retaining walls Exercises
1. Types of retaining walls and  Visualise and describe the basic concepts on  Text reading
modes of failure lateral earth pressures
 Work through examples
2. Basic concept on lateral earth
 Determine lateral earth pressures using
pressures  Complete exercises and
Rankine’s or Coulomb’s method.
3. Coulomb’s earth pressure theory quizzes
4. Rankine’s lateral earth pressure
for a sloping backfill and sloping
wall face
5. Lateral earth pressures for a total
stress analysis
Wk 8&9 6. Slope stability:  Estimate the stability of slopes with simple 24 Activity 6A: Readings &
geometry and geological features Exercises
1. Type of slope failure
2. Causes of slope failure  Describe the forces and activities that provoke  Text reading
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study hours
3. Infinite slopes slope failures  Work through examples
4. Rotational slope failure  Describe the effects of seepage and pore water  Complete exercises and
Stability of slopes with simple pressure on the stability of slopes quizzes
geometry
 Excel spreadsheet activity for
slope stability
Wk 10-12 7. Bearing capacity of soils and  Calculate the safe bearing capacity of soils 36 Activity 7A: Readings &
settlement of shallow foundations Exercises
 Estimate the settlement of shallow foundations
1. Ultimate soil-bearing capacity for  Text reading
shallow foundations  Estimate the size of shallow foundations to
satisfy bearing capacity and settlement criteria.  Work through examples
2. Terzaghi’s ultimate bearing
capacity equation  Complete exercises and
3. Effect of groundwater table quizzes
4. General bearing capacity
equation
Ultimate load for shallow
foundations under eccentric load
5. Introduction to pile foundations
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Assessment
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Assessment
Schedule
Topic covered Major Assessment Task Proportion of Submission Time

final
assessment
Assessment through See the See the Course Guide

the module will be Course
drawn from tests/ Guide
projects/ group work/
practical/ simulations
All topics Examination Given in the End of course
Course
Guide
Assessment tasks will be outlined in detail in the course guide produced and
published online prior to start of each semester.
Due dates for the assessment activities will also be published at this time.
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Learning Guide
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Learning Guide
You are now beginning the course. Please turn to Topic 1 and
work your way through the sessions. Remember to use the chart
in Part A if you are unsure about the next activity or section of
work to complete.
Please note:
This Learning Package is designed to help guide you in your studies for
this course, but does not represent the entire course. Attendance to
lectures, and any other scheduled sessions, is required to enable
comprehensive learning in this course. For example, your lecturer will
on occasion present current or relevant case studies for you to apply
the learning in this package to; to enliven it with real-world, in context
examples.
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Topic 1: Introduction
Geotechnical Engineering covers a wide range of problems in
Civil Engineering. It includes projects such as: foundations for
different types of buildings and bridges, road pavements,
excavations, tunnels, slopes, retaining structures, earth dams,
and landfills.
Geotechnical engineering uses the concepts of soil and rock
mechanics, aided by empirical observations and a systematic
classification of soil materials, to model engineering problems.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this topic you will be able to:
 describe the subdivisions of civil engineering, the
disciplines of soil mechanics and geotechnical
engineering
 describe what range of problems geotechnical
engineering covers
 name some major organisations which are involved with
geotechnical engineering projects, and describe the type
of activities they are involved in.
Activity 1A
Geotechnical engineering
Web Search
You need to know why you are learning geotechnical
engineering. Otherwise, you will not be interested and will
not have the motivation to learn meaningfully, and enjoy
this course. This activity will familiarise you with one of the
most interesting, important and rewarding areas in Civil
Engineering.
 Do a web search using some of the keywords below and
browse some of the sites you find interesting
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 Create a folder in your web browser, with the name

Geotechnical Engineering, and bookmark the sites you
think will be useful for you in the future, for learning and
familiarisation with the industry
 Please be patient and allocate at least two hours to this
activity in the first week
Search terms:
 geotechnical engineering
 geotechnical engineering projects
 geotechnical engineers
 soil mechanics
 soil investigation
 soil testing
 soil testing equipment
 ground improvement
 retaining walls
 slope stability
 slope failures
 foundation engineering
 foundation failures
 earth dams
 pavements
 pavement materials
 pavement design
 road recycled materials
 tunnels
 tunnelling
 geotextiles
 geomembranes
 gabions
 pile foundations
 mining geomechanics
 liquefaction
 quick sand
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Activity 1B
Read and Note

Read:
Budhu (2011) Sections 1.0, 1.1, and 1.2
 Section 1.0 introduces the topic, providing a brief
historical view of how we have now arrived at the
discipline of geotechnical engineering.
 Section 1.1 Identifies the extent to which soil
mechanics has come.
 Section 1.2 provides an example of how failure has
resulted in progress to the theory of soil mechanics.
Summary and Outcome Checklist

Tick the box for each statement with which you agree:
 I am able to describe soil mechanics and geotechnical

engineering
 I can describe what range of problems geotechnical
engineering covers.
 I can name some of the major organisations which are
involved with geotechnical engineering projects, and
describe the type of activities they are involved in
If you are unable to agree with all of the above statements, then
please revisit the work in this topic, and/or ask your class
tutor/coordinator for advice on where to concentrate your
studies.
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Topic 2: Soil Physical Characteristics –

Review:
Learning Outcomes
 define the key terms used in describing soil physical
characteristics
 describe and calculate the basic physical soil properties
used in Geotechnical Engineering
 describe and apply the Australian unified soil
classification system.
Introduction to the Topic

In this topic you will review and learn some basic descriptions
of soils and some fundamental physical soil properties, tests to
determine the physical properties of soils and soil classification
that you should retain for future use in this course and in
geotechnical engineering practice. One of primary tasks of a
geotechnical engineer is to collect, classify, and investigate the
engineering properties of soils for geotechnical engineering
practice.
Questions to guide your reading

1. What are the physical parameters that characterise soils?
2. What are the ‘Atterberg limits’?
3. What is ‘grading curve’?
4. How is soil classified?
5. What is the purpose of classifying soils?
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Activity 2A
Soil physical characteristics

Readings & exercises:
Textbook (Budhu, 2011) read sections:
 4.0 Introduction
 4.1 Definitions of Key terms
 4.2 Questions to guide your readings
 4.3 Phase relationships
 4.4 Physical states and index properties of fine-grained
soils
 4.5 Determination of the liquid, plastic, and shrinkage
limits
 4.6 Soil classification schemes
 4.7 Engineering use chart
Tasks:
Budhu, Muni, 2011, Access www.wiley.com/college/budhu
for the following activities:
 Try quizzes 1 to 10
 Complete interactive problem solving exercises 4.1 to
4.3.
Exercises :
Selected examples and problems from the Textbook are
presented in the handout provided either online or in the
lecture.
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Activity 2B
Video Clips – Liquid Limit & Plastic Limit Tests

Video:
Watch the video on liquid limit and plastic limit tests on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xD1LxWWdc1c
Soil classification system

Important Note
In Australia, we use the Australian unified soil classification
system; Australian Standards AS1726 and AS1289. This system
is shown below. The process must be worked through
systematically, taking one step at a time, and recording the
result of each step (as it is shown in the unified soil classification
flowcharts in the Textbook (Muni Budhu, 2011, Figure 4.9a and
4.9b).
How to access Australian Standards:

RMIT Library subscribes to the Australian Standards Online database,
which you can access as an RMIT enrolled student. Simply access via:
RMIT Library -> databases -> login -> Australian Standards Online ->
enter standard, e.g.: AS1726, then click ‘Search’
In the Australian system particle size ranges are:
Name Size range (mm)

Clay < 0.002
Silt 0.002 to 0.075
Sand 0.075 to 2
Gravel 2 to 60
These ranges must be memorised (not the ranges given in the

Textbook, if they are different).
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 I can define the key terms used in describing soil physical

characteristics
 I am able to describe and calculate the basic physical soil
properties used in Geotechnical Engineering
 I can classify soils according to the Australian unified soil
classification system.
studies
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Topic 3: Consolidation of Fine-grained

Soils
Learning Outcomes
 Describe the time dependent consolidation settlement of
fine-grained soils under vertical load
 Calculate consolidation settlement of fine-grained soils
 Describe the laboratory consolidation test
 Interpret laboratory test results to obtain consolidation
parameters

Under load, all soils will settle, causing settlement of structures
founded on or within them. If the settlement is not kept to a
tolerable limit, the desired use of the structure may be impaired
and the design life of the structure may be reduced. Structures
may settle uniformly or non-uniformly. The latter is called
differential settlement and is often the crucial design
consideration. The total settlement usually consists of three
parts: immediate or elastic compression, primary consolidation,
and secondary compression.
We will consider the elastic settlement in another topic. In this
topic we will develop the basic concepts of consolidation and
show how these concepts can be applied to calculate the
consolidation settlement from applied loads. After that, we will
formulate the theory of one-dimensional consolidation and use it
to predict the time rate of settlement.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the classic example of differential
consolidation settlement, described by Lambe & Whitman.
“The classic case of tilt is the leaning Tower of Pisa (Fig. 14.7, Lambe
& Whitman). As can be seen from the time-settlement curve, the north
side of the tower has settled a little over 1 m, whereas the south side has
settled nearly 3 m, giving a differential settlement of 1.8 m. The tilt
causes the bearing stress to increase on the south side of the tower, thus
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aggravating the situation. This much tilt in a tall building represents a

potentially unstable, dangerous situation”
Background Skills and Knowledge

It is important that you have completed and understood all the
earlier topics covered in Geotechnical Engineering 1 and this
package before you attempt this topic.
Activity 3A
Reading & exercises

Read:
Textbook (Budhu, 2011)
 Section 9.0 introduces the topic, identifying the
outcomes and the principles already covered that this
topic builds on
 Section 9.1 introduces new key terms that you need
to know
 Section 9.2 you should be able to answer all the
questions listed by the time you have finished the
topic. Use them as a guide during the topic and to
test yourself at the conclusion of the topic.
 Section 9.3 looks at the basic concepts of
consolidation settlement.
 Section 9.4.1, 9.4.2, 9.4.3, 9.4.4, 9.4.5, 9.5.1
and 9.5.2 looks at primary consolidation settlement
 Section 9.6 looks at secondary consolidation
settlement.
 Section 9.7 takes you through one dimensional
laboratory test. It also looks at the relationship
between laboratory and field consolidation.
 Work through examples 9.1 [p: 220], 9.2 [p:
221] and 9.3 [p: 222]. After reading the strategy for
each example, see how far you can get before
looking at the sample solution.
 Work through examples 9.8, 9.9, and 9.10
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[pp.:241-243]. These three examples show you how

to find various consolidation soil parameters.
 Example 9.11 [p: 204], looks at how to find the
expected settlement form consolidation test results.
 Example 9.14 looks at the practical situation of a
foundation for an oil tank.
Tasks:
Budhu, Muni, 2011 - Access www.wiley.com/college/budhu
 Try quizzes 1 to 14, 17, 18, 19, 22 and 23.
 Try the virtual consolidation test in the Interactive
Animation.
Video:
Watch the lab consolidation test procedure and review the
methods for analysing the results and finding consolidation
parameters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLyzsM-
g9yw&feature=relmfu
Exercises will be provided at the beginning of the semester

 I can describe the time dependent consolidation settlement of
fine-grained soils under vertical load
 I am able to calculate consolidation settlement of fine-grained
soils
 I can describe the laboratory consolidation test
 I am able to interpret laboratory test results to obtain
consolidation parameters.
studies.
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Topic 4: Shear Strength of Soil

Learning Outcomes
 determine the shear strength of soils
 describe the differences between drained and undrained
shear strength
 describe laboratory shear testing of soils
 interpret laboratory and field test results to obtain shear
strength parameter.

“Strength is the measure of the maximum stress state that can be
induced in a material without it failing. Although strength can be
stated in terms of compressive stress or tensile stress, fundamentally its
the ability to sustain shear stress that provides strength. The shear
strength of a soil is the maximum value of shear stress that may be
induced within its mass before the soil yields…Measures of shear
strength are required in the analyses and design of geotechnical
structures, such as foundations, retaining walls, earth slopes and road
bases.”
Source: Whitlow R. “Basic Soil Mechanics”, 4 th Ed, Pearson Education Ltd,
2001, England, p:211.

You should have completed and understood all the earlier topics
covered in Geotechnical Engineering 1 and this package before
you attempt this topic.
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33
Activity 4A
Readings & exercises

Readings:
Textbook (Budhu, 2011)
 The following sections introduce the topic and
look at the basic concepts on shear strength, strain-
stress response and effects of overconsolidation on
shear strength of soils. The Coulomb equation for the
shear strength of soils and Coulomb-Mohr Failure
Criterion are explained. And the drained and
undrained shear strength and laboratory tests to
determine shear strength parameters are covered.
Final section looks at various common field tests for
the strength of soils.
Read sections:
 10.0, 10.1 and 10.2 – Introduction, Definitions of Key
terms, Questions to guide your readings
 10.3 Typical responses of soils to shearing forces
 10..4.1 Coulomb’s failure criterion
 10.4.3 Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion
 10.7 .1 A simple test to determine friction angle of
clean coarse-grained soils
 10.7.2 Shear box or direct shear test
 10.7.3 Conventional triaxial apparatus
 10.7.4 Unconfined Compression (UC) test
 10.7.5 Consolidated Drained (CD) compression test
 10.7.6 Consolidated Undrained (CU) compression test
 10.7.7 Unconsolidated Undrained (UU) test
 10.8 Pore-water pressure coefficients
 10.10 Field test
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Examples:
 Budhu (2011), Read and discuss examples 10.1 (parts
a, b, c and e), 10.2, 10.5, 10.6, 10.8, 10.9 and 10.10.
These examples show you how to calculate short term
and long term soil strength parameters from direct shear
and triaxial test methods.
Quizzes:
Budhu, Muni, 2011 - Try quizzes 1 to 9 for this topic from
www.wiley.com/college/budhu.
Virtual laboratory practice:

Conduct virtual direct and triaxial laboratory tests to
determine soil strength parameters under different
conditions, from Interactive Animation for this topic in
Video (from YouTube):

Watch the video on direct shear test in the following
website.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xD1LxWWdc1c .
Exercises and other activities will be provided at the

beginning of the semester.

 I can determine the shear strength of soils
 I can describe the differences between drained and
undrained shear strength
 I can describe laboratory shear testing of soils
 I am able to interpret laboratory and field test results to
obtain shear strength parameter.
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35

studies.
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Topic 5: Earth Pressures and Retaining Walls

Learning Outcomes
 describe the types and failure modes of retaining walls
 visualise and describe the basic concepts on lateral earth
pressures
 determine lateral earth pressures using Rankine’s or
Coulomb’s method.

“Lateral earth pressure is a significant design element in a number of
foundation engineering problems. Retaining and sheet-pile walls, both
braced and unbraced excavations, grain in silo walls and bins, and
earth or rock contacting tunnel walls and other underground
structures require a quantitative estimate of the lateral pressure on a
structural member for either a design or stability analysis “
Source: Bowles J.E., “Foundation Analysis and Design”, 5 th Ed, International
Ed, McGraw-Hill, 1996, USA. P: 589.
Figures 15.13, 15.14, 15.15 and 15.16 from the textbook show the
types and failure modes of rigid and flexible retaining walls.

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Activity 5A
Reading & exercises

Read:
Budhu (2011)
 Section 7.10 (p.161) provides background
information for this topic
topic builds on
 Section 15.8 introduces you to the types of
retaining walls and possible types of retaining wall
failure
 Section 15.1 introduces new key terms that you
need to know
 You should be able to answer questions 1 to 6 listed
in Section 15.2 by the time you have finished the
topic. Use them as a guide during the topic and to
test yourself at the conclusion of the topic.
 Section 15.3 and 15.4 work you through the basic
concepts on lateral earth pressure. Make sure you
use the theories proposed by Coulomb and
Rankine and can perform the calculations.
 Section 15.6 and 15.7 analyses the lateral earth
pressure for a total stress analysis and looks at the
theories in relation to experimental results.
Examples:
 Work through examples 7.9 [p: 161], 15.1 and 15.2,
[p: 616-619].
Tasks:
 Try quizzes 1 to 6, 10 and 11.
 Read and view the Interactive Lateral earth
Pressure in the Interactive Animation for this topic.
View the wall movie and observe how the wall
failure develops.
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39

beginning of the semester either online or in the lecture.

 I am able to describe the types and failure modes of rigid and
flexible retaining walls.
 Visualise and describe the basic concepts on lateral earth
pressures.
 I am able to determine lateral earth pressures using Rankine’s
and Coulomb’s method.
studies.
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40
Topic 6: Slope Stability

Learning Outcomes
 estimate the stability of slopes with simple geometry and
geological features
 describe the forces and activities that provoke slope
failures
 describe the effects of seepage and pore water pressure
on the stability of slopes.

“Failure of natural slopes (landslides) and man-made slopes has
resulted in much death and destruction. Some failures are sudden and
catastrophic; others are insidious. Some failures are widespread; others
are localised
Geotechnical engineers have to pay particular attention to geology,
surface drainage, groundwater, and the shear strength of soils in
assessing slope stability. However, we are handicapped by the
geological variability of soils and methods of obtaining reliable values
of shear strength. The analyses of slope stability are based on
simplifying assumptions and the design of a stable slope relies heavily
on experience and careful sit investigation.”
Source: George F. Sowers, “Introductory Soil Mechanics and Foundations:
Geotechnical Engineering, 4th edition 1979, Collier Macmillan Publishers
p:574
Figures 16.1, 16.2 and 16.3 from the textbook show the types and
causes of slope failure.

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Activity 6A

Read:
Budhu (2011) Sections 16.0 and 16.1-16.13
topic builds on.
 Section 16.1 introduces new key terms that you
need to know.
 Section 16.2 - by the time you have finished the
topic you should be able to answer all the questions
listed in this section. Use them as a guide during the
topic and to test yourself at the conclusion of the
topic.
 Section 16.3 identifies the basic type of slope
failures that you need to be able to describe.
 You should be able to explain causes of slope failure
as identified in Section 16.4 as they relate to
geological features and environmental conditions and
the common ways in which slopes fail.
 In Section 16.5, you will study how to analyse a
slope of infinite extent.
 Section 16.7 identifies the issues associated with
the calculation of rotational slope failures
 Section 16.8 looks at “Bishop’s and Janbu’s
methods”. Take particular note of the essential
points on page 703.
 It is important to know the procedure and application
for the method of slices and this is clearly shown in
Sections 16.9 and 16.10.
 You need to be able to determine the stability of
slopes in a homogenous deposit of soil using Taylor’s
method’ and Bishop-Morgenstern method as shown in
Section 16.11
 Section 16.12 discusses the factor of safety, and
 Section 16.13 provides a summary of what has
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42
been covered and what you need to know.
Examples:
Budhu (2011), work through:
 Example 16.1 [p:695], it looks at how to calculate a
safe slope given specific conditions, and
 Example 16.2 [p: 696] analyses an infinite slope
failure.
 Examples 16.3 and 16.4 [pp. 707-710], to gain
experience in undertaking calculations for slope
stability analysis.
 Examples 16.6 and 16.7 [p: 714 and 715] on
stability of slopes with simple geometry.
Tasks:
 Try quizzes 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 and 9.
 Work with the provided Spreadsheet with
different values of input parameters to understand the
procedure for Bishop Method in example 16.1.


 I am able to estimate the stability of slopes with simple
geometry and geological features
 I can describe the forces and activities that provoke slope
failures
 I can describe the effects of seepage and pore-water pressure
on the stability of slopes.
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43

studies.
4- 14

44
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Topic 7: Bearing Capacity of Soils and

Settlement of Shallow Foundations
Learning Outcomes
 Calculate the safe bearing capacity of soils
 Estimate the settlement of shallow foundations
 Estimate the size of shallow foundations to satisfy
bearing capacity and settlement criteria.

A shallow footing is a foundation consisting of a small slab for
transmitting the structural load to the underlying soil. Footing
can be individual slabs supporting single columns (Fig. 12.2a) or
combined to support two or more columns (Fig. 12.2b) or be a
long strip of concrete slab (Fig. 12.2c, which B to length L ratio is
small, i.e., it approaches zero) supporting a load bearing wall or
a mat (or raft, Fig. 12.2d). Refer to Fig. 12.2 from Muni Budhu
(2011) on page 424.
To perform satisfactorily, shallow foundations must have two
main characteristics:
 They have to be safe against overall shear failure in the
soil that supports them.
 They cannot undergo excessive displacement, or
settlement. (The term excessive is relative, because the
degree of settlement allowed for a structure depends on
several considerations.)
The load per unit area of the foundation at which shear failure in
soil occurs is called the ultimate bearing, which is the subject of
this topic.
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46

You should have completed and understood all the earlier topics
covered in Geotechnical Engineering 1 and this package before
you attempt this topic.
Activity 7A

Readings & exercises:
Textbook (Budhu, 2011) read:
Budhu, Muni, 2011, sections:
 12.0, 12.1 and 12.2 – Introduction, Definitions of Key
terms, Questions to guide your readings
 12.4.1 Soil responses to a loaded footing
 12..4.2 Conventional failure surface under a footing
 12.5 Collapse load using the limit equilibrium method
 12.6 Bearing capacity equations
 12.9 Building codes bearing capacity values
 12.10 and 12.11 Settlement calculations
 12.12 Determination of bearing capacity and
settlement of coarse-grained soils from field tests
Examples:
Budhu (2011), work through examples 12.1, 12.2, 12.3,

12.5, 12.6 and 12.10. These examples show you how to
calculate bearing capacity and the elastic settlement of
shallow foundations.
Quizzes:
Budhu, Muni, 2011 - Try quizzes 1 to 10 for this topic from
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47


 I am able to calculate the safe bearing capacity of soils
 I am able to estimate the settlement of shallow foundations
 I am able to estimate the size of shallow foundations to
satisfy bearing capacity and settlement criteria.
studies.
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4- 14

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School of Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering

Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1108/CIVE1129

Published by RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3000.

Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1108/CIVE1129

Project sponsored by: Mark Shortis (Dean Academic development,

Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1108/CIVE1129

Progress through the course 06

Planning and Time Management Chart 14

Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1108/CIVE1129

Topic 2: Soil Physical Characteristics – Review: 28

Topic 3: Consolidation of Fine-grained Soils 32

Topic 4: Shear Strength of Soil 36

Topic 5: Earth Pressures and Retaining Walls 40

Topic 6: Slope Stability 44

Topic 7: Bearing Capacity of Soils and Settlement of Shallow 48

Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1108/CIVE1129

Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1108/CIVE1129

Dr Mohajerani is a civil engineer, specialised in the field of soil

Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1108/CIVE1129

Dr Robert is a lecturer in Civil Engineering at RMIT University,

Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1108/CIVE1129

Progress through the Course

Communicating with your Course Coordinator

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Course-specific Study Needs

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You can keep informed about the University’s plagiarism requirements

Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1108/CIVE1129

Individual Activity – may be self assessment questions, problem

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Feedback – turn to Feedback section at end of Part C: Learning

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Summary and Outcome Checklist – what has been learnt, in

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Additional reading and research to extend knowledge of key area

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Generic Attributes of Graduates

The overall program develops and demonstrates these attributes. This

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Planning and Time Management Guide: Geotechnical Engineering 2

 Name some major organisations which are

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Week(s) of Topic Learning outcomes Approx Activities

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Week(s) of Topic Learning outcomes Approx Activities

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Week(s) of Topic Learning outcomes Approx Activities

5. Introduction to pile foundations

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Topic covered Major Assessment Task Proportion of Submission Time

Assessment through See the See the Course Guide

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Summary and Outcome Checklist