Advanced Soil Mechanics

(8 student reviews)

Online course

50 hours / 6 weeks

Dates: 14th of April to 26th of May

Standard Unemployed Or Student
$350 $265

Introduction

The purpose of this course is to provide the learner with easy-to-understand introductions to some of the more advanced subjects of geotechnical engineering and soil mechanics.

The level of the subjects covered are second/third year university level and will be easily followed by anyone studying, practicing, or simply interested in, civil engineering. Prior knowledge of the principles of soil mechanics would be an advantage, though not essential.

Following this course the learner will be equipped to take further study if they wish, to develop deeper knowledge and understanding of the various methods and procedures used in the design and construction of geotechnical structures such as foundations, retaining walls  and cuttings and embankments.

The course commences with an introduction to the settlement behaviour of soils underloading, followed by coverage of the key subject of shear strength of soils. Application of the theory in civil engineering is made through the subjects of bearing capacity followed by an introduction to the design procedures of Eurocode 7. The course will conclude by covering the design of shallow foundations in accordance with Eurocode 7.

All subjects are well explained and complemented by many worked examples so that the learner can readily understand the material. Completion of the course will enable the learner to apply their knowledge to their needs, whether they are a student or a practitioner.

Online support is available throughout the duration of the course.


Limited places.

1. Settlement and soil compression

– Recap of total and effective stress
– Stresses induced by surface loading
– Immediate settlement

2. Consolidation settlement

– Consolidation of soils
– Consolidation testing
– Rate of consolidation settlement

3. Shear strength of soils

– Failure mechanism of soils
– Analysis of shear strength
– The Mohr circle diagram
– Cohesion
– Coulomb’s law of soil shear strength
– Modified Coulomb’s law
– The Mohr–Coulomb yield theory

4. Shear strength testing

– Shear box testing
– Determination of undrained shear strength
– Determination of the shear strength parameters from triaxial testing

5. Bearing capacity

– Definition of terms
– Methods of analysis
– Bearing capacity equations
– Determination of the safe bearing capacity
– The effect of groundwater on bearing capacity
– Developments in bearing capacity equations
– Effect of eccentric and inclined loading on foundations
– Estimates of bearing capacity from field tests

6. Geotechnical design to Eurocode 7

– Introduction: Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design
– Partial Factors of Safety
– GEO limit state
– Design Approaches (GEO limit states)
– The over-design factor and the degree of utilisation
– Shallow foundation design to Eurocode 7

Professor Ian Smith

Professor Ian Smith is a freelance geotechnical and educational consultant with over 30 years experience teaching geotechnical engineering. Based in the UK, he is internationally recognised and has taught at universities across Europe and in China, Myanmar, Hong Kong and Qatar. He is the author of the leading textbook, Smith’s Elements of Soil Mechanics – now in its 9th Edition and adopted by almost all UK universities and by many across the world.He is praised for making his subject very easy to understand and has won several teaching awards based on his excellent student feedback. More details can be found at his website and LinkedIn profile.

The course is delivered online through our easy-to-use Virtual Campus platform. For this course, a variety of content is provided including:

– eLearning materials
– Videos
– Interactive multimedia content
– Live webinar classes
– Texts and technical articles
– Case studies
– Assignments and evaluation exercises

Students can download the materials and work through the course at their own pace.
We regularly update this course to ensure the latest news and state-of-the-art developments are covered, and your knowledge of the subject is current.

Live webinars form part of our course delivery. These allow students and tutors to go through the course materials, exchange ideas and knowledge, and solve problems together in a virtual classroom setting. Students can also make use of the platform’s forum, a meeting point to interact with tutors and other students.

The tutoring system is managed by email. Students can email the tutor with any questions about the course and the tutor will be happy to help.

This course is aimed at: (i) college and university students who wish to learn or refresh their knowledge of soil mechanics alongside their current studies, and (ii) practitioners (technicians and engineers alike) who need to refresh or update their knowledge of soil mechanics. By studying the course, the learner will fully understand and appreciate the principles involved as well as test and measurement procedures used in the soils laboratory and in the field: not only how to do the test, but the reasons why we need the tests carried out.

The course is also suitable for practicing engineers whose knowledge of the advanced topics of soil mechanics is a bit rusty and in need of refreshing.

The course is delivered in such an easy-to-understand way that all participants will be able to follow all the topics covered and significantly improve their understanding of the subjects and examples of advanced soil mechanics.

Once a student finishes the course and successfully completes the assignments and evaluation tests, they are sent an accreditation certificate. The certificate is issued by Ingeoexpert to verify that the student has passed the course. It is a digital certificate that is unique and tamper-proof – it is protected by Blockchain technology. This means it is possible for anyone to check that it is an authentic, original document.

You will be able to download the certificate in an electronic format from the Virtual Campus platform. The certificate can be forwarded by email, shared on social networks, and embedded on websites. To see an example, click here.

The course is appropriate for anyone studying or working at any level in the civil engineering sector. An understanding of the mechanical behaviour of engineering soils is important for anyone working in civil engineering. Whether you are a student, a designer, a contractor, an academic, a researcher or working in civil engineering maintenance, knowing the way that different soils will behave under loading or as a result of water movement is important. This course will teach you all of that and more.

Geotechnical engineering is arguably the most important discipline in civil engineering, since all structures are built either onto or into the ground. Thus, knowledge of soil mechanics is a fundamental requirement for all people wishing to succeed in civil engineering.

The course has been structured and developed to enable all participants to acquire that knowledge.

Introduction

The purpose of this course is to provide the learner with easy-to-understand introductions to some of the more advanced subjects of geotechnical engineering and soil mechanics.

The level of the subjects covered are second/third year university level and will be easily followed by anyone studying, practicing, or simply interested in, civil engineering. Prior knowledge of the principles of soil mechanics would be an advantage, though not essential.

Following this course the learner will be equipped to take further study if they wish, to develop deeper knowledge and understanding of the various methods and procedures used in the design and construction of geotechnical structures such as foundations, retaining walls  and cuttings and embankments.

The course commences with an introduction to the settlement behaviour of soils underloading, followed by coverage of the key subject of shear strength of soils. Application of the theory in civil engineering is made through the subjects of bearing capacity followed by an introduction to the design procedures of Eurocode 7. The course will conclude by covering the design of shallow foundations in accordance with Eurocode 7.

All subjects are well explained and complemented by many worked examples so that the learner can readily understand the material. Completion of the course will enable the learner to apply their knowledge to their needs, whether they are a student or a practitioner.

Online support is available throughout the duration of the course.


Limited places.

Read more

1. Settlement and soil compression

– Recap of total and effective stress
– Stresses induced by surface loading
– Immediate settlement

2. Consolidation settlement

– Consolidation of soils
– Consolidation testing
– Rate of consolidation settlement

3. Shear strength of soils

– Failure mechanism of soils
– Analysis of shear strength
– The Mohr circle diagram
– Cohesion
– Coulomb’s law of soil shear strength
– Modified Coulomb’s law
– The Mohr–Coulomb yield theory

4. Shear strength testing

– Shear box testing
– Determination of undrained shear strength
– Determination of the shear strength parameters from triaxial testing

5. Bearing capacity

– Definition of terms
– Methods of analysis
– Bearing capacity equations
– Determination of the safe bearing capacity
– The effect of groundwater on bearing capacity
– Developments in bearing capacity equations
– Effect of eccentric and inclined loading on foundations
– Estimates of bearing capacity from field tests

6. Geotechnical design to Eurocode 7

– Introduction: Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design
– Partial Factors of Safety
– GEO limit state
– Design Approaches (GEO limit states)
– The over-design factor and the degree of utilisation
– Shallow foundation design to Eurocode 7

Read more

Professor Ian Smith

Professor Ian Smith is a freelance geotechnical and educational consultant with over 30 years experience teaching geotechnical engineering. Based in the UK, he is internationally recognised and has taught at universities across Europe and in China, Myanmar, Hong Kong and Qatar. He is the author of the leading textbook, Smith’s Elements of Soil Mechanics – now in its 9th Edition and adopted by almost all UK universities and by many across the world.He is praised for making his subject very easy to understand and has won several teaching awards based on his excellent student feedback. More details can be found at his website and LinkedIn profile.

Read more

The course is delivered online through our easy-to-use Virtual Campus platform. For this course, a variety of content is provided including:

– eLearning materials
– Videos
– Interactive multimedia content
– Live webinar classes
– Texts and technical articles
– Case studies
– Assignments and evaluation exercises

Students can download the materials and work through the course at their own pace.
We regularly update this course to ensure the latest news and state-of-the-art developments are covered, and your knowledge of the subject is current.

Live webinars form part of our course delivery. These allow students and tutors to go through the course materials, exchange ideas and knowledge, and solve problems together in a virtual classroom setting. Students can also make use of the platform’s forum, a meeting point to interact with tutors and other students.

The tutoring system is managed by email. Students can email the tutor with any questions about the course and the tutor will be happy to help.

Read more

This course is aimed at: (i) college and university students who wish to learn or refresh their knowledge of soil mechanics alongside their current studies, and (ii) practitioners (technicians and engineers alike) who need to refresh or update their knowledge of soil mechanics. By studying the course, the learner will fully understand and appreciate the principles involved as well as test and measurement procedures used in the soils laboratory and in the field: not only how to do the test, but the reasons why we need the tests carried out.

The course is also suitable for practicing engineers whose knowledge of the advanced topics of soil mechanics is a bit rusty and in need of refreshing.

The course is delivered in such an easy-to-understand way that all participants will be able to follow all the topics covered and significantly improve their understanding of the subjects and examples of advanced soil mechanics.

Read more

Once a student finishes the course and successfully completes the assignments and evaluation tests, they are sent an accreditation certificate. The certificate is issued by Ingeoexpert to verify that the student has passed the course. It is a digital certificate that is unique and tamper-proof – it is protected by Blockchain technology. This means it is possible for anyone to check that it is an authentic, original document.

You will be able to download the certificate in an electronic format from the Virtual Campus platform. The certificate can be forwarded by email, shared on social networks, and embedded on websites. To see an example, click here.

Read more

The course is appropriate for anyone studying or working at any level in the civil engineering sector. An understanding of the mechanical behaviour of engineering soils is important for anyone working in civil engineering. Whether you are a student, a designer, a contractor, an academic, a researcher or working in civil engineering maintenance, knowing the way that different soils will behave under loading or as a result of water movement is important. This course will teach you all of that and more.

Geotechnical engineering is arguably the most important discipline in civil engineering, since all structures are built either onto or into the ground. Thus, knowledge of soil mechanics is a fundamental requirement for all people wishing to succeed in civil engineering.

The course has been structured and developed to enable all participants to acquire that knowledge.

Read more

8 reviews for Advanced Soil Mechanics

  1. Dave Dyet

    The advanced soil mechanics embraced and completed concepts from the the first part. The examples and solutions with the assisted videos gave a great way of understanding the subject. The professor makes it enjoyable and easy to understand the concepts in a practical manner. Highly recommend!

  2. Michael Denteh

    Excellent input. very good course.

  3. Vita Ramangavelo

    Great learning experience, clear and concise explanations! Another title would be ‘Geotechnical Engineering made easy!’ 🙂

  4. Konstantinos Symeonidis

    Excellent course content and delivery, very useful refresher in advanced soil mechanics topics. Highly recommended.

  5. Davide Boni

    This course is well structured and the topics are really useful. Ian Smith can teach Geotechnics in a very clear and accessible manner.

  6. Sayyed Mojtaba Kashfi

    The structure of courses on this platform is delightful. It allows for easy organization and tracking of all aspects. The professors are truly remarkable, with an impressive depth of knowledge and passion for their subjects. Witnessing such dedication to their work is truly inspiring.

  7. Gabriela Piazzetta

    Professor Ian Smith’s Advanced Soil Mechanics course was an absolute gem! His clear and engaging teaching style helped me not only consolidate my understanding of key soil mechanics concepts but also improve my understanding of my own numerical models.

    Professor Smith’s ability. He pres to explain complex topics in a simple and accessible manner was truly commendableented the material in a way that resonated with students of all backgrounds. Another aspect I deeply appreciated was his consistent use of practical exercises. I highly recommend this course to anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of soil mechanics and shallow foundations.

  8. Mutombo Ilunga

    The overall courses was just ok Professor Ian was explaining slowly and clearely .

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Advanced Soil Mechanics
$350 $265
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