Course objectives: 

• Overview of the properties of the soil and types and classifications
• Knowledge of calculating the failure criteria of the soil and shear strength parameters
• Illustration of calculating the bearing capacity and design the isolated foundation
• Developing the inspection skills to investigate the soil and distinguish between different types of the soil
• Understanding the serious importance of the long-time settlement due to consolidation process and liquefaction as well 

Course Outline:

Understanding the Main Properties of the Soil and needed Tests and the Classification: 

• Practical Importance of Index Properties
• Size and Shape of Soil Particles
• Properties of very Fine Soil Fractions
• Mechanical Analysis of Soils
• Soil Aggregate
• Consistency of Fine-Grained Soils
• Soil Classification
• Minimum Requirements for Adequate Soil Description 

Understanding the Shear Strength Parameters and the Consolidation: 

• Shear Strength Parameters
• Shear Box Test
• Triaxial Compression Test
• Van Shear Test
• SPT – Standard Penetration Test
• CPT – Cone Penetration Test
• Parameters of the Consolidation
• Workshop on Shear Strength and Consolidation 

How to Validate the Compaction and Introduction to Problematic Soil:  

• Introduction to the Compaction
• Machines which are used in Compaction
• Proctor Test
• Sand Cone Test
• Plate Loading Test
• Types of Problematic Soil
• Effect of Expansive Soils and Solutions
• Collapsible Soil and Solutions 

How to Investigate the Soil and Prepare a Report: 

• Methods of Soil Exploration
• Disturbed Samples
• Undisturbed Samples
• Skills of Visual Inspection
• Challenge of Soil Investigation in the Practice
• Workshop to prepare Soil Investigation Report 

Calculating the Bearing Capacity and Design Isolated Footing: 

• Bearing capacity general form based on shear strength
• The effect of settlement of bearing capacity
• The effect of water table on bearing capacity
• Bearing capacity based on SPT
• Eccentric foundations due to permanent loads
• Eccentric foundations due to temporary loads