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101-0314-10L 3 Credits MSC D-BAUG
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Soil Mechanics (for Environmental Engineers)

Lecturers & Examiners: Ralf Herzog, Prof. Dr. Ioannis Anastasopoulos, Dr. Alexandru Marin, Dr. Max Sieber
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:33:52

Abstract

Fundamentals of soil mechanics: soil classification, influence of groundwater, stresses and deformations, shear strength of soil, slope stability analysis

Objective

Fundamentals in soil mechanics and geotechnics will be presented focusing on: soil as a multi-phase hydro-mechanical system, essential parameters for classification and description of soil, influence of water on the soil behaviour, stress-strain response and shear-strength of soil

Content

Introduction and basic terms; soil classification ; influence of groundwater, water pressure on structures, hydraulic heave (piping), water flow and erosion; stresses, concept of effective stresses, influence of stress history and stress distribution; deformation, stress-strain relationship, 1D consolidation theory (time dependency of deformations); shear-strength, failure criteria and shear-strength parameters; slope stability, infinite slope limit equilibrium methods

Resources

Lecture Notes

ExamplesExercises

Literature

Lang, H.-J.; Huder, J.; Amann, P.; Puzrin, A.M.: Bodenmechanik und Grundbau, Springer-Lehrbuch, 9. Auflage, 2010 Knappett, J.; Craig, R.F.: Craig's Soil Mechanics, CRC Press, 9. Edition, 2019

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
written 120 minutes
Aids
Part 1: Comprehension: no additional written aids allowedPart 2: Calculation: all written aids allowed with the exception of means of communication
Optional learning task, i.e. Moodle quiz, which can improve the total course unit grade by up to 0.25 grade points, if 90% of quizzes are completed successfully

Registration & Places

Priority: Registration for the course unit is only possible for the primary target group

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Soil Mechanics (for Environmental Engineers)
  • Tue 09:45-11:30 (HIL E 1)
  • Thu 13:45-15:30 (HIL E 1)
2 h weekly

Offered In