BYTS2400 Geotechnics and Road Construction Course description

Geotechnics: The course forms a basis for assessing and calculating the stability and bearing capacity of different soils and sedimentary rocks as foundations for road construction and building projects. This forms a basis for calculating the loads imposed on structures by soil and water pressure.

The course material developed at NTNU will be used:  https://mediasite.ntnu.no/Mediasite/Catalog/catalogs/grunnleggende-geoteknikk 

http://ngf.no/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/FLIGG-Fleksibel-Laering-i-Grunnleggende-Geoteknikk2.pdf

Road Construction: The course is based on the Norwegian Public Roads Administration's guidelines for execution (N200 with relevant guides) and laboratory tests related to road construction (R210). The student will become familiar with: The basic principles for building and sizing roads and streets. Assessment of the substructure and ground conditions. Requirements for load-bearing dimensioning and frost protection of the road superstructure in accordance with. current norms. The Norwegian sizing table. Description of road construction materials and drainage of roads. Laboratory tests.

No requirements over and above the admission requirements.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• is familiar with the mechanical and building technical properties of soil types
• is familiar with water flows and drainage
• has basic knowledge of the most important technical work processes in road construction, and is familiar with the functions, capacity and use of construction plant

Skills

The student is capable of:

• assessing and calculating bearing capacity, soil pressure, settlement, stability and water flow (in accordance with Norwegian standard NS-EN 1997, V220 and N200)
• carrying out geotechnical laboratory testing (routine tests in accordance with NS/Eurocode)
• designing landslide and avalanche superstructures (in accordance with N200)
• carrying out laboratory tests relating to road construction (in accordance with R210)
• planning mass transfer

General competence

The student:

• has a good overview of the geology of soils and sedimentary rocks in Norway and is familiar with the geology of mainland Norway
• understands the basis for road construction and is familiar with problems relating to road construction in challenging climates and under challenging ground conditions

Lectures and supervision of assigned exercises.

Self-study and group work

Compulsory portfolio submission (individual and group assignments)

The course includes laboratory exercises in geotechnics as well as a project assignment that covers excerpts of relevant R&D in geotechnics and road Construction. 

The following coursework is compulsory and must be approved before the student can sit the exam:

• 2 laboratory exercises, 4 hours
• 4 practical exercises of approx. 6 hours each

Portfolio assessment subject to the following requirements

Five written assignments

• Part 1: Report from laboratory exercises in geotechnics     

• Part 2: Note on laboratory tests related to road construction

• Part 3: Practical exercises in geotechnics (2) and road construction (2).         

• Part 4: Mass transfert planning: report

• Part 5: Individual in-depth report

Folder assessment is given a comprehensive assessment of one character. All parts of the folder exam must be passed in order for the student to be able to pass the course. In case of a new / postponed examination, an improved version of the portfolio can be submitted. The exam results can be appealed

All.

Pass/fail.

One internal examiner. External examiners are used regularly.