Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Soil Mechanics
SCQF level: 08:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: CTR08110
Module leader: Vicky Dimitriadi
School School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment
Subject area group: Built Environment
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added
Description of module content:

Within this module, you will be introduced to soil mechanics and you will learn about the origin of soils, their natural properties, and the role of water in the soil. You will also lean about soils compressibility and shear strength and their connection to actual engineering design. Soil Mechanics is a fundamental element of geotechnical engineering and thus very important for the geotechnical modules in years 3 and 4 of the programme.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Describe and classify soil types from physical characteristics.

LO2: Determine quantitative characteristics of soils.

LO3: Recognise the impact of water in soil and determine the rate at which it can flow through the ground and into working spaces and hence the importance of a safe working environment at depth in the ground.

LO4: Understand the significance of effective stress in the ground and calculate effective stress distributions.

LO5: Process and interpret compression test data to determine the volumetric/hydraulic response of a soil to loading and the influence of bearing pressure on design option choices, e.g. vertical drains to accelerate settlement.

LO6: Process and interpret laboratory strength test data to manage the DESIGN solution in relation to measured soil strength and present findings in professional style of report.
Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2025/6, Trimester 2, In Person,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Vicky Dimitriadi
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Lecture 20 10 lectures on soil mechanics with optional final revision session.
Face To Face Tutorial 20 Tutorial sessions where students focus on worked examples on the different units of the module.
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 10 Students use this time for lab visits and demonstrations
Online Guided independent study 147 Students use this time to work through the material provided and to develop their coursework.
Face To Face Centrally Time Tabled Examination 3 A centrally time-tabled assessment, in person and closed book. In total there are four questions assessing students’ knowledge on different units of the module, such as (but not exclusively) natural soil properties, settlements calculation and consolidation, seepage, shear strength.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Report 30 1~2~3 Week 9 , WORDS= 1000 Students submit a lab-based report in which they analyse lab data, perform settlement calculations, critically reflect on their results and suggest the optimum engineering design.
Centrally Time Tabled Examination 70 1~2~3~4 Exam Period HOURS= 3 Hours A centrally time-tabled assessment, in person and closed book. In total there are four questions assessing students’ knowledge on different units of the module, such as (but not exclusively) natural soil properties, settlements calculation and consolidation, seepage, shear strength. Each question is worth 25 marks and students are required to answer all four questions. Each question is sub-divided into smaller questions of varying format, such as (i) calculation-based questions (ii) conceptual and theoretical questions and (iii) multiple choice and/or true/false questions with justification.
Component 1 subtotal: 30
Component 2 subtotal: 70
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
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