Advanced Soil Mechanics

The module includes three units, namely Mechanics of Deltaic Soils, Experimental Soil Mechanics, and Soil Dynamics. Students will dive into non-standard aspects of Soil Mechanics, both in terms of analysis/modelling techniques and geotechnical applications. Deltaic soils are soils that are found in deltaic areas, such as normally consolidated soft clays, organic clays and peats, and loose to medium dense sands. From a methodological standpoint, the module covers advanced topics regarding the testing and constitutive modelling of soils, up to the solution of boundary value problems through both physical and numerical modelling techniques. Relevant applications include the analysis of geotechnical problems in soft deltaic soils, and/or in the presence of cyclic/dynamic loading conditions.

In this module the learning line on Monitoring and Data Science is enriched with further content. In particular, the unit on Experimental Soil Mechanics addresses topics related to the monitoring of physical geo-models during small-scale centrifuge experiments, including the selection of the most suitable sensors for real-time measurements.

Overall, the three units provide opportunities for elaborating the data, often of big size, returned by physical and numerical models. Such elaboration is guided throughout the module for students to learn how to process/visualise/present information for clients and stakeholders.

Ethical aspects associated with Advanced Soil Mechanics subjects are discussed throughout the module. Given the emphasis on experimental and numerical analyses as essential input to geotechnical design, important implications are pointed out regarding the impact of (i) selection of testing methods, (ii) identification of soil model parameters, (iii) validation of physical/numerical models on the usability/safety of geotechnical systems. Particularly, conflicts of interest, and their potentially catastrophic consequences, between (financial benefit of) service providers and (satisfaction/safety of) clients is discussed throughout the three units from a mechanics-oriented perspective.

The module includes in total 4 summative assessments, which are all transversal to the LOs of the module. 3 of them are individual and more pronouncedly unit-based, with an attention for connecting the assessment of those LOs that are common to more than one unit. The 4th summative assessment is an overarching assignment, during which students will be challenged to elaborate on the disciplinary connections among the different units in the module. The overarching assignment will build around advanced geotechnical applications preliminarily suggested by the teachers. Formative assessment moments will be organized within each unit of the module.

Module assessment will be overall distributed as follows:

• 3 unit assignments - 90% of the total (3x30%)

• 1 overarching assignment - 10% of the total

A successful participation in the module, requires a minimum evaluation of 5.8 in all units.

For more information on grading, see article 14 in the Rules and Guidelines (RGBE):

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/student/ceg-student-portal/education/education-information/educational-rules-and-regulations

Permitted Materials during Exam

Take-home assignments may be carried out by using all the teaching materials provided during the course. No further materials needed for the final oral exam.