Geo technology

GEOTECHNOLOGY

MODULE UNIT DESCRIPTION

Geotechnology is the study of soils and rocks forming the earths surface.

PURPOSE

This module unit is intended to equip the trainee with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to analyze the properties of soils and rocks for use in construction.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module unit, the trainee should be able to:

1. Understand the properties of soils and rocks
2. Understand the procedures of carrying out laboratory tests on soils and rocks
3. Use results of test to perform construction works
4. Locate sites for construction

MODULE SUMMARY AND TIME ALLOCATION

CODE	MODULE UNIT	SUB MODULE UNIT	TIME ALLOCATION
16.1.1	SOIL PROPERTIES AND CLASSIFICATION	Soil properties Soil classification	8
16.1.2	LATERAL EARTH PRESSURE	Terminology Theories Effect on stability	6
16.1.3	SITE INVESTIGATION	Objectives Stages Methods	8
16.1.4	MINERALOGY	Terminologies Rock forming minerals Mineral groups Physical properties Types of minerals Slope stability	6
16.1.5	PETROLOGY	Classification Identifications Characteristics	6

THEORY

Specific Objectives

|By the end of the sub-module unit, the trainee should be able to:

1. explain the terms that apply to soil properties
2. describe the tests used to determine basic soil properties
3. describe methods of used to classify soils

Content

• Terms

1. moisture content
2. void ratio
3. porosity
4. degree of starvation
5. compaction test curve
6. maximum dry density
7. optimum moisture content
8. air rods line

• Soil properties
• Soil classification
• Terminology

1. Theories
2. Effect on stability

Objectives

• Stages
• Methods

MINERALOGY

• Terminologies
• Rock forming minerals
• Mineral groups

1. Physical properties
2. Types of minerals
3. Slope stability

THEORY

Specific Objectives

By the end of the sub-module unit, the trainee should be able to:

1. explain the terms that apply to soil properties
2. describe the tests used to determine basic soil properties
3. describe methods of used to classify soils

Content

• Terms

1. moisture content
2. void ratio
3. porosity
4. degree of starvation
5. compaction test curve
6. maximum dry density
7. optimum moisture content
8. air rods line

• Tests for determining basis soil properties

1. moisture contents
2. particle specific gravity test
3. bulk density test

• Methods of soil classification

1. coarse analysis test
2. Atterberg limits test
3. Linear shrinkage test

=PRACTICE=

practice

Specific Objectives

By the end of the sub-module unit, the trainee should be able to carry out soil tests to determine basic soil properties. Content

• Soil tests for basic soil properties

1. soil classification
2. soil compaction test
3. filed compaction test
4. shear strength test
5. bearing capacity test
6. permeability test

Competences Ability to:

• Classify soils for construction purposes
• Demonstrate use of soil classification apparatus

Suggested Teaching/Learning Activities

• Lecture
• Discussion
• Demonstration

Suggested Assessment Methods

• Oral
• Written
• Practical assignment

THEORY

Specific Objectives

By the end of the sub-module unit, the trainee should be able to:

1. explain terms applied in lateral earth pressure
2. explain the theories for lateral earth pressure

Content

• Terms

1. active earth pressure
2. passive earth pressure
3. at rest earth pressure theories

• Lateral earth pressure theories

1. Rankines theory
2. Coulomb’s theory

PRACTICE

Specific Objectives

By the end of the sub-module unit, the trainee should be able

1. compute lateral pressure on a retaining structure for its stability
2. analyse the stability of a retaining structure

Content

• Lateral pressures on retaining structures

1. earth pressures
2. pure water pressure

• Analysis of stability of a retaining structure against:

1. overturning
2. sliding
3. uplifts
4. tension in joints

Competences

Ability to carry out analysis of stability of retaining structures

Suggested Learning Resources

• Text books
• Charts
• Internet services

Suggested Learning Activities

• Lecture
• Discussion

Suggested Assessment Methods

• Oral
• Written

THEORY

Specific Objectives

By the end of the sub-module unit, the trainee should be able to:

1. state objectives of site investigation
2. explain stages in site investigation
3. describe methods used in site investigation

Content

1. Objectives of site investigation
2. assess suitability of
3. economic design of structures
4. advise on sites

• Stages

1. desk study
2. site reconnaissance
3. detailed site exploration and sampling
4. laboratory testing of samples
5. in-situ testing
6. reporting results
7. Methods
8. sampling methods
9. undisturbed sampling
10. disturbed sampling

PRACTICE

Specific Objectives

By the end of the sub-module unit the trainee should be able to:

1. carry out site investigation tests
2. carry out geophysical survey on a selected site

Content

1. In-situ testing methods
2. core cutter test
3. sand replacement
4. standard penetration test
5. core penetration test
6. shear vane test
7. plate bearing test
8. california bearing ratio test
9. pile loading test
10. pile loading test

• Geophysical survey tests methods

1. electrical resistivity methods
2. seismic refraction methods

Competences Ability to: Sample material using suitable tools and equipment

• Use of tools and equipment in sampling ground material on site
• Assess ground condition for suitability for construction

Suggested Learning/Teaching Resources

• Text books
• Charts
• Tools and equipment
• Internet services

Suggested Learning Activities

• Lecture
• Discussion
• Demonstration

Suggested Assessment Methods

• Oral
• Written
• Practical assignment

THEORY

Specific Objectives

By the end of the sub-module unit, the trainee should be able to:

1. explain the terms mineral and rocks
2. name rock forming minerals as seen in hand specimens
3. state rock forming mineral groups
4. describe physical properties of minerals

Content

• Terms

1. mineral
2. rock

• Major common rock forming minerals

1. quartz
2. calcite
3. feldspar
4. mica
5. clay

• Rock forming mineral groups

1. silicates
2. carbonates
3. sulphates
4. sulphides,
5. oxides
6. chlorides

PRACTICE

Specific Objectives

By the end of the sub-module unit, the trainee should be able to:

1. identify rock forming minerals
2. identify rock-forming mineral groups

Content

• Rock forming minerals

1. quartz
2. cacite
3. feldspar
4. mica
5. clay

• Rock forming mineral groups

1. silicates
2. carbonate
3. sulphate
4. sulphides
5. chlorides
6. oxides

Competences Ability to;

• Identify rock forming minerals

Suggested Learning/Teaching Resources

• Text books
• Charts
• Rock sample/specimens
• Internet services

Suggested Learning Activities

• Lecture
• Visual observation
• Discussion

Suggested Assessment Methods

• Oral
• Written

THEORY

Specific Objectives

By the end of the sub-module unit, the trainee should be able to:

1. Explain modes of formation of various types of rocks
2. Explain the characteristics of various types of rocks
3. Describe the texture of various types of rocks:

• Formation of rocks

1. igneous rocks
2. sedimentary rocks
3. metamorphic rocks

• Characteristics
• Texture

Content

• Mode of formation

1. Extensives
2. Intrusives

PRACTICE

Specific Objectives

By the end of the sub-module unit, the trainee should be able to:

1. classify various types of rocks
2. identify various types of rocks

Content

• Classification of rocks

­#texture ­#structure

• Identification based on:

­#formation ­#characteristics

Competences

Ability to:

• Classify various types of rocks
• Select rocks for given tasks

Suggested Learning Resources

• Text books
• Igneous rock samples
• Internet services
• Charts
• Manuals

Suggested Learning Activities

• Lecture
• Visual observation
• Discussion

Suggested Assessment Methods

• Oral
• Written