CEE 323 Soil Mechanics
CEE 323: Soil Mechanics (Required for a BSCE degree)

Fundamental engineering properties of soil and their application to earth structures and foundations. Topics include seepage, compaction, strength, and deformation characteristics of soils. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits.
CEE 230 (Civil Engineering Materials)
Co-requisite: CEE 335 (Soils and Hydraulics Laboratory) Principles of Geotechnical Engineering (5th edition), by B. M. Das, Brooks/Cole, 2002. Students completing this course successfully will be able to:

  1. understand the origin, formation, parameters and basic fundamental behavior of soils.
  2. classify soils according to AASHTO and Unified System.
  3. understand the flow of water through soils: seepage, water pressure, flownet.
  4. understand the effective stress concept and its application to quick conditions.
  5. understand consolidation theory and practice to compute foundation settlement.
  6. understand the concept of Mohr's circle and its application to shear strength and lateral earth pressure theory.
  7. understand the shear strength parameters of soil and determination techniques of those.
  8. understand the theory of lateral earth pressure.
  9. understand the importance of life-long learning including graduate school, FE examination and PE license.
  1. Introduction (1 hr)
  2. Soil gradation and composition (three phase) (2 hrs)
  3. 3.Clay minerals, clay-water system, and soil structures (3 hrs)
  4. Consistency (Atterberg limits) and activity (1 hr)
  5. Soil classifications (2 hrs)
  6. Compaction (2 hrs)
  7. Flow of water, permeability, flow net, and water pressure along boundaries (4 hrs)
  8. Effective stress and capillary rise (3 hrs)
  9. Heaving due to excavations (1 hr)
  10. Stress increment due to surface loads (3 hrs)
  11. Consolidation theory and settlement (7 hrs)
  12. Mohr's circle(2 hrs)
  13. Shear strength (6 hrs)
  14. Lateral earth pressure (3 hrs)
  15. Life-long learning, FE examination and PE license (1 hr).
Two 75-minute lecture sessions per week. Moderate use of spreadsheet program through homework.
Introduction of commercial seepage software (will be initiated in 2004) None College-level mathematics and basic sciences: 0 credits
Engineering topics: 3 credits
General education: 0 credits This course will enhance the student's

  1. ability to apply knowledge in mathematics, physics, and engineering science to civil and environmental engineering problems,
  2. ability to identify and formulate an engineering problem, to collect and analyze relevant data, and to develop a solution,
  3. ability to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a societal and global context,
  4. ability to understand and appreciate the importance of professional licensure and commitment to life-long learning,
  5. knowledge of current issues and awareness of emerging technologies,
  6. ability to use modern engineering techniques, skills, and tools including computer-based tools for civil and environmental engineering analysis and design.
  7. proficiency in geotechnical and water resources engineering.
Isao Ishibashi <ishibas@odu.edu> May 07, 2003