College of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering
Course Specification
CE 380 Soil Mechanics Laboratory
Course Specification
Institution : King Saud University
College/Department : College of Engineering - Department of Civil Engineering
B Objectives
Summary of the main learning outcomes for students enrolled in the course.
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4.
2. Briefly describe any plans for developing and improving the course that are being implemented. (eg
increased use of IT or web based reference material, changes in content as a result of new research in
the field)
1- The course contents will be periodically reviewed by the instructors and the
Undergraduate Committee to include new materials of relevance and improved
teaching method.
C. Course Description (Note: General description in the form to be used for the Bulletin or
Handbook should be attached)
1 Topics to be Covered
Topic
1.
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7.
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14.
Introduction.
Moisture content
Liquid, plastic and shrinkage limits.
Specific gravity.
Sieve analysis.
Hydrometer test.
Compaction test.
Field Density.
Permeability test
Total sulfate and chloride content of soil. pH value and organic content.
Direct shear test.
Unconfined compression test.
Consolidation test.
Conventional triaxial test.
No of
Weeks
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Contact
hours
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Tutorial:
Other:
3. Additional private study/learning hours expected for students per week. (This should be an average
:for the semester not a specific requirement in each week)
30 hrs / semester
a. Knowledge
(i)
1- Exams, homework and reports are used to assess the acquired knowledge on the
subject.
2- Oral and written examination in lab to examine the students ability to perform
tests and their knowledge of the material behaviour and properties.
b. Cognitive Skills
(i)
1- The ability to apply algebra, elementary calculus, and principles of soil mechanics
in the analysis and design of simple geotechnical systems.
(ii) Teaching strategies to be used to develop these cognitive skills
1- Exams, Quizzes and homework will include problems of which requires critical
thinking.
2- lab reports require data analysis and interpretation.
c. Interpersonal Skills and Responsibility
(i) Description of the interpersonal skills and capacity to carry responsibility to be developed
1- Students will be able to submit accurate results and reports in professional way.
2- Student will take the responsibility to solve given assignments on their own and
submit the solution on time.
3- Students learn to manage their time between self study, solving assignments.
(ii) Teaching strategies to be used to develop these skills and abilities
1- Special attention and mark rewards are pointed to the submitting of accurate
results and professional reports.
2- Assignment is given to the students at regular intervals for them to solve and
submit. 10% of the final grade is allocated to the assignments. Late or no
submission of assignments carries penalties or loss of grade points.
3- Participation of students in classroom discussion and presentations.
(iii) Methods of assessment of students interpersonal skills and capacity to carry responsibility
1- Encouraging students for submitting their assignments and reports in neat and
professional way.
2- Assist the students in labs sessions for any difficulties they face in conducting or
analyzing experiments.
(iii) Methods of assessment of students numerical and communication skills
Not applicable
(ii) Teaching strategies to be used to develop these skills
(iii) Methods of assessment of students psychomotor skills
Week due
Proportion of
Final
Assessment
Bi-weekly basis
15%
weekly
30%
Each lecture
5%
As scheduled by
the registrar
50 %
D. Student Support
1. Arrangements for availability of faculty for individual student consultations and academic advice.
(include amount of time faculty are available each week)
12-
Each faculty is required to be available in his office to devote at least 3 hr/week for
students consultation and academic advice.
Teaching assistance taking the tutorial is required to devote 1hr/week for helping
the students.
E Learning Resources
1.
Required Text(s)
Searching the web for sites that include design and information about soil mechanics
and free software to analyze and design simple geotechnical systems.
5- Other learning material such as computer-based programs/CD, professional standards/regulations
4. Processes for Verifying Standards of Student Achievement (eg. check marking by an independent
faculty member of a sample of student work, periodic exchange and remarking of a sample of
assignments with a faculty member in another institution)
5. Describe the planning arrangements for periodically reviewing course effectiveness and planning for
improvement.
Self- assessment at every two years and the external assessment by the invited
faculty member at every four years will be carried out. The feedback received
from these assessments will be used to plane for further improvement in the
course syllabus, teaching method, and delivery of course materials.