Soil Mechanics

This course introduces the basic principles of soil mechanics and testing procedures through lectures, problem-solving sessions, and laboratory demonstrations. Topics include mass/volume relationships, soil classification, compaction, and permeability. Students will calculate volume-weight relationships for soils, classify soils using the United Soil Classification System, describe compaction and in-place soil density tests and solve applied problems dealing with soil permeability and introduction to shallow and deep foundations. Students will also conduct laboratory compaction tests, in-situ density tests and field compaction control.