Course | Madison College Outline of Instruction

10607160Soils

Course Information

Description

Introduces the basic principles of soil mechanics and their application in engineering practice. Topics include soil formation, composition and texture, subsurface investigation, classification, moisture-density relationships, settlement, permeability and erosion loss calculations.

Total Credits

Course Competencies

Examine soil formation

Assessment Strategies

by scoring 70% or higher on exams

by scoring 70% or higher on quizzes

by completing homework assignments

Criteria

you explain the soil-rock cycle

you describe the relationship between rock color and mineral content

you explain the correlation between parent rock and resulting soil properties

you identify fundamental weathering mechanisms

you distinguish between residual and transported soils

you distinguish between organic and inorganic soils
Examine subsurface investigation techniques

Assessment Strategies

by scoring 70% or higher on exams

by scoring 70% or higher on quizzes

by completing homework assignments

Criteria

you explain the purpose of subsurface investigation

you describe methods used to perform subsurface investigations

you identify equipment used to perform subsurface investigations

you identify sources of soil information

you explain methods for preserving soil samples

you describe common in-situ tests performed during a subsurface investigation

you explain the correlation between the standard penetration test and soil consistency
Examine soil moisture

Assessment Strategies

by scoring 70% or higher on exams

by scoring 70% or higher on quizzes

by completing homework assignments

in lab performance

Criteria

you demonstrate proper procedure for performing a soil moisture test

you compute moisture content of a soil given laboratory test results

you identify fundamental soil moisture states

you explain correlation between soil moisture and construction properties
Examine Atterberg Limits

Assessment Strategies

by scoring 70% or higher on exams

by scoring 70% or higher on quizzes

by completing homework assignments

in lab performance

Criteria

you explain the significance of the Atterberg limits (SL, PL, LL)

you explain difference between cohesive and non-cohesive soils

you explain the correlation between soil moisture and soil consistency

you demonstrate the proper procedure for determining the LL of a soil

you demonstrate the proper procedure for determining the PL of a soil

you compute the PL and LL given lab data

you compute the PI and LI given the Atterberg limits

you describe the consistency of a soil given the Atterberg limits and its natural moisture content

you identify common mistakes made in performing the Atterberg limits tests
Examine grain size analysis

Assessment Strategies

by scoring 70% or higher on exams

by scoring 70% or higher on quizzes

by completing homework assignments

in lab performance

Criteria

you demonstrate proper procedure for mechanical sieve analysis of soil

you identify common mistakes made in performing a mechanical sieve analysis

you demonstrate proper procedure for hydrometer analysis of soil

you identify common mistakes made in performing a hydrometer analysis

you plot the combined grain size distribution curve for a soil given the test results

you distinguish between uniform, gap, and well graded soil distributions

you compute the coefficient of uniformity and coefficient of gradation given a grain size distribution curve
Examine the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

Assessment Strategies

by scoring 70% or higher on exams

by scoring 70% or higher on quizzes

by completing homework assignments

in lab performance

Criteria

you classify a soil using the USCS and results of lab tests on a soil

you identify the two main groups into which the USCS separates soils

you interpret USCS group symbols from soil boring logs

you identify the similarities and differences between the USCS and AASHTO classification systems
Examine the AASHTO Classification System

Assessment Strategies

by scoring 70% or higher on exams

by scoring 70% or higher on quizzes

by completing homework assignments

in lab performance

Criteria

you classify a soil using the AASHTO system and results of lab test on a soil

you identify the major divisions into which AASHTO classifies soils

you interpret AASHTO group symbols from geotechnical reports

you explain the similarities and differences between the AASHTO and Unified Soil Classification Systems
Examine the USDA Texture Classification System (USDA)

Assessment Strategies

by scoring 70% or higher on exams

by scoring 70% or higher on quizzes

by completing homework assignments

Criteria

you describe the texture classification of a soil using the USDA texture triangle

you explain the differences between the USDA texture system and the USCS and AASHTO systems

you identify the Munsell color of a soil

you identify oxidation/reduction reaction locations in a soil profile

you identify typical USDA soil horizons

you explain the correlation between soil color, mineral composition and soil moisture
Examine field and lab compaction of soils

Assessment Strategies

by scoring 70% or higher on exams

by scoring 70% or higher on quizzes

by completing homework assignments

in lab performance

Criteria

you explain the differences between the standard and modified compaction tests

you explain why compaction of soil is important from an engineering standpoint

you explain why the modified proctor compaction test was developed

you demonstrate proper procedure for standard proctor compaction test on soil

you demonstrate proper procedure for modified proctor compaction test on soil

you explore three different methods for determining the in-situ density of soil

you compute the maximum dry density of a soil from lab test results

you plot the moisture density curve for a soil from lab test results

you compute relative compaction given field and lab test results

you explain how the compactability of a soil changes with moisture content

you identify typical compaction equipment used in heavy construction
Examine shear strength of cohesionless soils

Assessment Strategies

by scoring 70% or higher on exams

by scoring 70% or higher on quizzes

by completing homework assignments

Criteria

you summarize shear

you explain how shear strength of soil impacts constructed facilities

you identify the primary generator of shear strength in cohesionless soils

you identify factors that influence the shear strength of cohesionless soils

you identify lab tests used to determine the shear strength of cohesionless soils
Examine shear strength of cohesive soils

Assessment Strategies

by scoring 70% or higher on exams

by scoring 70% or higher on quizzes

Criteria

you identify the primary generator of shear strength in cohesive soils

you explain difference between drained and undrained shear strength

you identify lab and field tests used to determine shear strength of cohesive soils

you identify methods used to improve the shear strength of soils
Examine soil permeability

Assessment Strategies

by scoring 70% or higher on exams

by scoring 70% or higher on quizzes

by completing homework assignments

Criteria

you identify factors that affect soil permeability

you identify laboratory tests used to determine soil permeability

you observe demonstration of lab permeability tests

you identify field tests used to determine permeability

you identify limitations of laboratory permeability tests

you calculate the coefficient of permeability for a soil given lab test results
Examine soil erosion calculations

Assessment Strategies

by scoring 70% or higher on quizzes

by scoring 70% or higher on exams

by completing homework assignments

Criteria

you identify factors that influence soil erodibility

you compute soil erosion quantity using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)
Examine mechanisms used to reduce soil erosion

Assessment Strategies

by scoring 70% or higher on exams

by scoring 70% or higher on quizzes

by completing homework assignments

Criteria

you distinguish between erosion and sedimentation

you identify mechanisms used to limit soil erosion

you identify mechanisms used to limit sedimentation