The course focuses on fundamentals of analysis methods, including soil-water coupled finite element analysis and material point method, for stability problems in geotechnical engineering. The course also covers recent construction technologies.
This course mainly facilitates students' understanding of soil-water coupled finite element analysis.
Students are expected to understand the fundamentals of analysis methods, including soil-water coupled finite element analysis and material point method, for stability problems in geotechnical engineering. Students also gain knowledge of recent construction technologies.
finite element method, soil-water coupled analysis, consolidation, stability analysis, excavation and tunnelling, ground improvement
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Mainly lectures. Regular assignments are given and their reviews are made in the next class.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduction | To understand stability problems in geotechnical engineering |
Class 2 | Governing equations for soil-water coupled problems | To understand derivation of soil-water coupled governing equations |
Class 3 | Finite element modelling (Weak-form of governing equations) | To understand weak form of the governing equations |
Class 4 | Finite element modelling (Discitisation in space and time domains and specification of boundary conditions) | To understand discitisation in space and time domains and specification of boundary conditions |
Class 5 | Soil behaviour and modelling (Real soil behaviour / simple elasto-plastic models) | To understand real soil behaviour and simple elasto-plastic models |
Class 6 | Soil behaviour and modelling 1 (Cam-clay model) | To understand Cam-clay model |
Class 7 | Soil behaviour and modelling 2 (Cam-clay model) | To understand Cam-clay model |
Class 8 | Consolidation analysis (Parameter determination) | To understand parameter determination for consolidation problems |
Class 9 | Consolidation analysis (Calculation examples) | To understand consolidation analysis |
Class 10 | Dynamic response analysis 1 | To understand dynamic response analysis |
Class 11 | Dynamic response analysis 2 | To understand dynamic response analysis |
Class 12 | Stability analysis using finite element method | To understand stability analysis using finite element method |
Class 13 | Material point method | To understand material point method |
Class 14 | Construction site visit | To understand recent construction technologies |
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Handouts will be provided by the instructors.
For finite element analysis in geotechnical engineering:
D.M. Potts & L. Zdravkovic (1999) Finite element analysis in geotechnical engineering - Theory, Thomas Telford
O.C. Zienkiewicz, A.H.C. Chan, M. Pastor, B.A. Schrefler & T. Shiomi (1999) Computional geomechanics - with special reference to earthquake engineering, John Wiley & Sons
Assignments (80%) and attendance (20%)
No prerequisites are necessary, but enrollment in the related courses is desirable.