Work done in this lab will allow students to understand the theoretical and empirical principles of soil engineering. Subject areas covered include geological formations of natural soils, soil sampling, and classification. Soil properties of major engineering significance will be studied that include the characteristics of water flow through soil, consolidation settlement and shear strength.
Upon completion students will be able to identify soil categories, recognize solid composition, calculate soil properties, complete the solid compaction process, and calculate stresses in soil mass due to external and internal loads. Students will also be able to calculate settlements based on varying load and soil conditions. Students will develop a good understanding of shear strength of soils and characteristics of failure planes.
All skills and theories learned in the geotechnical lab may be applied in the workplace.
Research is conducted in soil testing, soil modeling, numerical analyses, slope stability including progressive failure, analytical methods in geotechnical design, and geo-environmental engineering. Research may be done to provide insight into the interaction and performance of earth structures, bearing failures and settlement damage. There are opportunities to collaborate with government and private organizations to better predict geotechnical performance.