Applied Soil Mechanics (250MEG008) – Course 2025/26 PDF

Learning Objectives

To conceive soils and rocks as porous media governed by Solid and Fluid Mechanics. To characterize the geological environment and its interaction with civil works. To interpret laboratory tests and field observations so as to identify the mechanisms responsible for soil response. To propose testing programmes. To formulate and implement Finite Element and Finite Differences numerical models with the objective to analyze the processes that govern ground response, to interpret field information and to predict soil response. To analyze, discriminate and integrate geological and geotechnical information in studies and projects. To apply the knowledge on soil and rock mechanics to the development of the study, design, construction and exploitation of foundations, excavations, embankments, tunnels and other constructions on or through the soils, regardless of their nature and state or the finality of the works under study (Specific competence of the specialties in Geotechnical Engineering and Earthquake Engineering and Geophysics). To analyze, from the perspective of an expert, cases of failure in Geotechnical Engineering. To report the evidences, identify the mechanisms responsible for the failure and verify using back- analysis models.Eventually provide solutions to risk reduction. (Specific competence of the specialization in Geotechnical Engineering). To realize studies of land management and urban spaces, including construction of tunnels and other underground infrastructures. (Specific competence of the specialization in Geotechnical Engineering). To use, in a discriminate manner, commercial software for numerical calculations in order to design and eventually monitor geotechnical structures. (Specific competence of the specialization in Geotechnical Engineering). * To apply limit analysis concepts to the calculation of limit load in soils. * To interpret the behavior of soils with regards to critical state mechanics. * To interpret the behavior of compacted soils with regards to the mechanics of unsaturated soils. * To suggest a geotechnical field survey campaign. * To suggest a laboratory research program. * To critically analyze laboratory and field test results and to obtain soil parameters. * To calculate shallow and deep foundations. * To calculate earth contention structures. * To calculate tunnels in rocks and soils. * To calculate preloading settlements. * To use numerical models to calculate soil-structure interaction problems. * To analyze fracture cases from the point of view of an expert. - Behavior of saturated soils. Critical state models. Interpretation of drained and undrained response. - Introduction to the mechanical behaviour of unsaturated soils. - Limit analysis . Limit states. Limit equilibrium. - Flow-deformation coupling. Conceptualize soils and rocks as porous media governed by concepts of Solid and Fluid Mechanics. Characterize the geological environment and its interaction with civil works. Interpret laboratory trials and field observations to identify the mechanisms responsible for the field response. Plan experimental programs in the laboratory. Analyze, from the viewpoint of an expert, failure cases in Geotechnical Engineering. Report the evidence, identify the mechanisms responsible for the break and check using retro-analysis models. Provide eventual risk reduction solutions. (Specific competence of Geotechnical Engineering specialization). Use in a discriminated way commercial programs of numerical calculation to project and accompany, if necessary, the monitoring of geotechnical structures. (Specific competence of Geotechnical Engineering specialization). * It applies concepts of limit analysis to the calculation of load in soils. * Interpret the behavior of soils within the framework of critical state mechanics. * Interpret the behavior of compac

Competencies

Especific

To conceive soils and rocks as porous media governed by Solid and Fluid Mechanics.

To interpret laboratory tests and field observations so as to identify the mechanisms responsible for soil response. To propose laboratory testing programmes.

To use, in a discriminate manner, commercial software for numerical calculations in order to design and eventually monitor geotechnical structures. (Specific competence of the specialization in Geotechnical Engineering).

Generic

To apply advanced knowledge in sciences and technology to the profesional or research practice.

To lead, coordinate and develop integrated projects in Geo-Engineering.

To identify and design solutions for geo-engineering problems within ethical, social and legislative frameworks.

To evaluate the impact of Geo-engineering on environment, sustainable social development and the significance of working within reliable and consciensous profesional environment.

To incorporate new techncologies and advanced tools in Geo-engineering into profesional and research activities.

To conceive Geo-engineering as a multi-disciplinary field that includes relevant aspects from geology, sismology, hydrogeology, geotechnical and earthquake engineering, geomechanics, physics of porous media, geophysics, geomatics, natural hazard, energy and climate interactions.

To promote innovation for the development of methodology, analyses and solutions in Geo-engineering

To tackle and solve advanced mathematical problems in engineering from the drafting of the problem to the development of formulation and further implementation in computer programs. Particularly, to formulate, code and apply analytical and numerical advanced computational tools to project calculations in order to plan and manage them as well as to interpret results in the context of Geo-engineering and Mining engineering.

Total hours of student work

		Hours	Percentage
Supervised Learning	Large group	45h	100.00 %
Self Study		80h

Teaching Methodology

The subject consists of 3 hours of face-to-face classes in the classroom or in the laboratory. There are 9 classroom sessions of 3 hours, in which the teacher presents the basic concepts and materials of the subject, presents examples and exercises. There are 3 laboratory classes of 3 hours, in which the student performs Soil Mechanics experiments, directed by the faculty. There are 2 practical classes with numerical analysis programs for Soil Mechanics. There are 2 evaluation tests (exams) of 3 hours during class time during the course. Support material in the form of a detailed teaching plan is provided using the virtual campus ATENEA: content, program of learning and assessment activities conducted and literature. Although most of the sessions will be given in the language indicated, sessions supported by other occasional guest experts may be held in other languages.

Grading Rules

The evaluation calendar and grading rules will be approved before the start of the course.

The mark of the course is obtained from the marks of continuous assessment, laboratories and computer practices. Continuous assessment consist in several activities, both individually and in group, of additive and training characteristics, carried out during the year (both in and out of the classroom). The exams consist of a part with questions about concepts associated with the learning objectives of the course with regard to knowledge or understanding, and a part with a set of application exercises. Weights of different activities: 0.30 [mark from the first partial exam] 0.20 [mark from the second partial exam] 0.20 [average mark from reports of group practices] 0.20 [average mark of the delivered problems] 0.10 [average mark of questionnaires]

Test Rules

Failure to perform a laboratory or continuous assessment activity in the scheduled period will result in a mark of zero for that activity.

Office Hours

Student attention is made through the forum of questions and answers of Atenea and through interviews arranged in advance.

Bibliography

Basic

Lambe, T.W.; Whitman, R.V. Mecánica de suelos. 2a ed. México: Limusa : Noriega, 1995. ISBN 9681818946.
Muir Wood, D. Soil behaviour and critical state soil mechanics. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1990. ISBN 0521337828.

Complementary

Atkinson, J. The mechanics of soils and foundations. 2nd ed. Oxford, UK: Taylor & Francis, 2007. ISBN 9780415362566.