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101-0314-10L 3 Credits MSC D-BAUG

Soil Mechanics (for Environmental Engineers)

Lecturers & Examiners: Ralf Herzog, Prof. Dr. Ioannis Anastasopoulos, Dr. Alexandru Marin, Dr. Max Sieber, Dr. Simone Alber

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:44

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)

Main link
Moodle

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

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

Environmental Engineering Master
- Elective Modules (For all majors.)
  - EM: Soil (Elective Module for Majors "Environmental Technologies", "Resource Management", "River and Hydraulic Engineering", "Urban Water Management" and "Water Resources Management".)