SOIL MECHANICS LABORATORY

(Date of document: 18th May 2018)

Course Code : CEGB231

Course Status : Core for BCE
Level : Degree
Semester Taught : 3
Credit : 1
Co-requisites : CEGB233

Assessments : Guided lab report - Rubrics 30%

Open-ended lab report
a. Technical contents – content 40%
b. Writing skills - Rubrics 10%
Oral/presentation skills- Rubrics 10%
Teamwork & leadership- Rubrics 10%

Lecturers : Intan Nor Zuliana Baharuddin (Coordinator)

Shuhairy Norhisham

Course Description : Determination of specific gravity of soil solids, Sieve

analysis and Atterberg Limits, Determination of coefficient
of permeability: Constant and Falling Head methods,
Compaction and consolidation tests, Direct shear and Vane
shear tests, Unconfined compression test on cohesive soil,
Triaxial test without pore water pressure measurement,
Open ended laboratory project

Course Objectives : 1) To identify the various methods in soil testing.

1
 2) To analyze the experimental data from sieve analysis,
triaxial, direct shear, constant and falling head,
compression, and laboratory vane shear tests.
3) To interpret the soil properties and parameters
determined from the laboratory tests.
4) To apply suitable soil test in order to obtain the required
soil parameters for soil classification and evaluation.
5) To play an effective role as a team member or leader at
contributing to the completion of laboratory work.
6) To communicate effectively by means of laboratory
report writing for the open ended laboratory experiments.
7) To communicate effectively by means of report writing
on complex data analysis and evaluation of open ended
laboratory experiments.

Transferrable Skills : Students are required to use appropriate equipment for

laboratory testing, be able to design appropriate testing in
order to obtain parameters used in design and learn to liaise
and work together effectively.

2
 MQF MQF MQF MQF MQF MQF MQ MQF
MQF1 MQF6 MQF6 MQF5
1 2 4 3 4 5 F7 8
Course
PO1 PO1 PO1
Outcomes PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6 PO7 PO8 PO9
0 1 2
a b c a b a b c a b c a b a b a b a b c a b
1. To use
researc
h
metho X
d for
collecti
ng data

3
2. To
analyz
e and
intepre
te the
experi
mental
data
from
sieve
analysi
s,
triaxial
, direct X
shear,
consta
nt and
falling
head,
compr
ession,
and
laborat
ory
vane
shear
tests

4
3. To
design
and
evaluat
e the
soil
propert
ies and
parame X
ters
determ
ined
from
the
laborat
ory
tests

5
4. To
comm
unicat
e
effecti
vely
by
means
of
X
presen
tation
for the
open
ended
labora
tory
experi
ments

6
5. To
comm
unicate
effecti
vely by
means
of
report
writing
on
comple
X
x data
analysi
s and
evaluat
ion of
open
ended
laborat
ory
experi
ments

7
6. To
play an
effecti
ve role
as a
team
membe
r or
leader
X
at
contrib
uting
to the
comple
tion of
laborat
ory
work

Course Outcomes :
Assessment-Course Outcomes Matrix :

Final Weighted MQF2 MQF2 MQF2 MQF2 MQF5 MQF5

Marks mark PO4a PO4b PO4c PO9a PO9b PO10
Assessments
CO1 CO2 CO3 CO4 CO5 CO6
Guided lab 100 30
100
report - Rubrics
Guided lab
100
report - Rubrics

8
 Open-ended lab 100 40
report -
Technical 100
contents –
content marking
Open-ended lab 100 10
report - Writing 100
skills - Rubrics
Oral/presentation 100 10 100
skills- Rubrics
Teamwork & 100 10 100
leadership-
Rubrics

PO & MQF LOD Emphasis :

MQF1 MQF1 MQF6 MQF6 MQF2 MQF4 MQF3 MQF4 MQF5 MQF5 MQF7 MQF8
Current Total
Coverage PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6 PO7 PO8 PO9 PO10 PO11 PO12
(%) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 33 0.0 0.0 0.0 34 33 0.0 0.0 100

Bloom's Coverage (%) :

Current Coverage (%) Cognitive Psychomotor Affective Total

Low Med High
0 0 0 67 33 100

9
10
Course Outline & Teaching Plan :
WEEK TOPIC
WEEK 1  Briefing on safety, code of
conduct during laboratory
testing and course outline.
 Briefing on
implementation of open-
end lab and introduction of
standards e.g. BS 5930 and
BS1377.
WEEK 2  Determination of specific
gravity of soil solids, sieve
analysis and Atterberg
limits
WEEK 3  Determination of specific
gravity of soil solids, sieve
analysis and Atterberg
limits
WEEK 4  Midsem Break
WEEK 5  Compaction (standard
Proctor) and consolidation
tests
WEEK 6  Compaction (standard
Proctor) and consolidation
tests
WEEK 7  Unconfined compression
test on cohesive soil and
Triaxial test without pore
water pressure
measurement, direct shear
test, vane shear test
ACTION BY STUDENT
 To take note on overall soil testing
involved.
 To read and sign Lab safety form.
 To take note on new design centric
based of the open ended lab concept.
 To get a hold of standards and
guideline.
 To conduct experimental test of
Determination of specific gravity of
soil solids, sieve analysis and
Atterberg limits
 To conduct experimental test of
Determination of specific gravity of
soil solids, sieve analysis and
Atterberg limits
 To submit concept proposal of Open
Ended Lab
 To conduct experimental test of
Compaction (standard Proctor) and
consolidation tests
 To submit lab report on
Determination of specific gravity of
soil solids, sieve analysis and
Atterberg limits
 To submit weekly progress of open
end lab work
 To conduct experimental test of
Compaction (standard Proctor) and
consolidation tests
 To submit weekly progress of open
end lab work
 To conduct experimental test of To
conduct experimental test of
Unconfined compression test on
cohesive soil and Triaxial test
without pore water pressure
measurement, direct shear test, vane
shear test
11

WEEK 8  Unconfined compression
test on cohesive soil and
Triaxial test without pore
water pressure
measurement, direct shear
test, vane shear test
 To submit lab report on Compaction
(standard Proctor) and consolidation
tests
 To submit weekly progress of open
end lab work
 To conduct experimental test of
Unconfined compression test on
cohesive soil and Triaxial test
without pore water pressure
measurement
 To submit weekly progress on Open
Ended Lab
 Final proposal of open ended lab

WEEK 9  Determination of  To conduct experimental test of

coefficient of permeability: Determination of coefficient of
constant and falling head permeability: constant and falling
methods head methods
 To submit weekly progress on Open
Ended Lab
 Soil sample, final approval on
proposal of open ended lab.

WEEK  Open ended laboratory  To submit lab report on

10 project Determination of coefficient of
permeability: constant and falling
head methods
 To conduct open ended lab
experiments as per approved design
proposal.
 To submit weekly progress on Open
Ended Lab

WEEK  Open ended laboratory  To conduct open ended lab

11 project experiments as per approved design
proposal.
 To submit weekly progress on Open
Ended Lab
 To consult and get feedback on open
ended result obtained.
WEEK  Open ended laboratory  To conduct open ended lab
12 project experiments as per approved design
proposal.
 To submit weekly progress on Open
Ended Lab

12
  To consult and get feedback on open
ended result obtained
WEEK  Consultation for Open  To conduct open ended lab
13 Ended Lab experiments as per approved design
proposal.
 To submit weekly progress on Open
Ended Lab
 To consult and get feedback on open
ended result obtained
WEEK  Presentation of Open  To present findings of open ended
14 Ended Lab lab.
 To submit softcopy and hard copy of
slide presentation and report.
WEEK  Study Week nil
15
WEEK  Final Examination nil
16

References:

1. Cernica, J.N. 1995. Geotechnical Engineering: Soil Mechanics. John Wiley & Sons,
Canada.

2. Craig, R.F. 2001. Soil Mechanics. 7th edition. E. & FN Spon Press, New York,
U.S.A.

3. Whitlow, R. 2001. Basic Soil Mechanics. 4th edition. Pearson Education, Essex,
England.

13
 What is Program Educational Objectives (PEO)?
PEO are objectives that UNITEN graduates should achieve after five (5) years of
graduation.

What are Programme Outcomes (PO)?

PO are the expected traits that UNITEN students should have upon graduation.

Summary of BCE Programme Educational Objectives (PEO)

PEO Program Educational Objectives

No. UNITEN produces civil engineering graduates who:
PEO1 Practicing engineers in civil engineering with the ability to venture into energy related
business.
PEO2 Hold leadership responsibilities and/or establish their own enterprises.
PEO3 Have professional qualifications/certifications in civil engineering related areas.
PEO4 Engages in activities to enhance knowledge in their professional works.

BCE Programme Outcomes (PO)

Program Outcomes
PO
Students graduating from the Bachelor of Civil Engineering (BCE), programmes will have the
No.
ability to:
PO Statements Sub-attributes
a) Comprehend the fundamental knowledge of mathematics,
science and civil engineering (C1,C2)
Apply fundamental knowledge of
b) Apply fundamental knowledge of mathematics, science and
mathematics, science and civil
civil engineering principles in solving engineering problems
PO1 engineering principles in solving
(C3, C4)
complex problems
c) Solve complex engineering problems by
WA1 (WK1-WK4) [MQF1]
relating/incorporating fundamental knowledge of
mathematics, science and civil engineering principles. (C5,C6)
Identify, formulate, analyse and a) Identify, formulate and solve civil engineering problems (C3,
solve complex civil engineering C4)
PO2
problems b) Evaluate and synthesize the solution to complex civil
WA2 (WK1-WK4) [MQF1] engineering problems (C5,C6)

14

PO
Students graduating from the Bachelor of Civil Engineering (BCE), programmes will have the
No.
ability to:
PO Statements
Design solutions for complex civil
engineering problems that meet
specific needs with appropriate
PO3 consideration for public health and
safety, culture, society, and
environment.
WA3 (WK5) [MQF6]
Conduct investigations, interpret data
and provide conclusions in
PO4 investigating complex problems
related to civil engineering
WA4 (WK8) [MQF6]
Create appropriate techniques, select
resources, and apply modern
PO5 engineering tools to execute
complex engineering activities
WA5 reasoning
Apply (WK6) [MQF2]
in assessing societal,
health, safety, legal and cultural issues
PO6 and the consequent responsibilities
relevant to professional engineering
practice
WA6 (WK7) [MQF4]
Demonstrate knowledge of the impact
of professional engineering solutions
PO7 in environmental contexts and the
need for sustainable development
WA7 (WK7) [MQF3]
Demonstrate commitment to
PO8 professional and ethical principles
WA8 (WK7) [MQF4]
Communicate effectively on
complex engineering activities
PO9
WA10 [MQF5]
Program Outcomes
Sub-attributes
a) Illustrate solutions for civil engineering problems with
appropriate consideration for public health and safety. (C3,
C4)
b) Illustrate solutions for civil engineering problems with
appropriate consideration for culture, society, and
environment. (C3, C4)
c) Propose solutions for complex civil engineering problems
that meet specific needs with appropriate consideration for
public health and safety, culture, society, and environment.
(C5,C6)
a) use research methods for collecting data (C1, C2)
b) analyze and interpret data using engineering principles and
appropriate techniques (C3,C4)
c) Design & evaluate solutions to complex engineering
problems by employing research methods and data
interpretation skills (C5,C6)
a) Usage of modern tools to execute civil/mechanical engineering
activities (P1,P2)
b) Manipulation of modern tool to execute complex engineering
activities (P3,P4)
a) Apply reasoning in assessing societal, legal and cultural
issues and the consequent responsibilities relevant to
professional engineering practice (C3, C4)
b) Apply reasoning in assessing health and safety issues and the
consequent responsibilities relevant to professional engineering
practice (C3, C4)
No sub-attribute (C2,C3)
No sub-attribute (A3)
a) Communicate effectively by means of oral presentation (P3)
b) Communicate effectively by means of report writing (P3)
c) Communicate effectively by means of oral presentation
and/or report writing on complex engineering activities
(P3)
15
 Program Outcomes
PO
Students graduating from the Bachelor of Civil Engineering (BCE), programmes will have the
No.
ability to:
PO Statements Sub-attributes
Function effectively as an individual
and in a group with the capacity to be
PO10 No sub-attribute (A4)
a leader
WA9 [MQF5]
Acknowledge the need for, and be
PO11 able to engage in life-long learning No sub-attribute (C2)
WA12 [MQF7]
Demonstrate knowledge on project
a) Demonstrate knowledge on project management principles
management principles and
PO12 (C2,C3)
entrepreneurship skills
b) Demonstrate knowledge on entrepreneurship skills (C2,C3)
WA11 [MQF8]

16
 Malaysian Qualifications Framework Learning Outcome Domains (MQF LOD) &
iCGPA

The Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education) or the MEB (HE)
(Ministry of Higher Education, 2015) is formulated based on the vision and aspiration of
Malaysia Education Development Plan (2013 – 2015) and National Higher Education
Strategic Plan (or Pelan Strategik Pengajian Tinggi Negara (PSPTN)) in educating
students who are knowledgeable, skilled and talented to face the challenges of the 21st
century.

Shift 1 of the blueprint aims to foster graduates who are holistic, balanced and
entrepreneurial in line with the National Education Philosophy.

One of the initiatives in Shift 1 is the implementation of the integrated assessment

system which materialises student holistic attainment based on the learning experiences
in higher education known as integrated CGPA or iCGPA.

iCGPA illustrates attainment of eight domains of learning outcomes listed in the

Malaysian Qualifications Framework.

Malaysian Qualifications Framework Learning

Outcome Domains (MQF LOD)
Domain
MQF1 Knowledge
MQF2 Practical Skills
MQF3 Social Skills and Responsibilities
MQF4 Values, Attitude and Professionalism
MQF5 Communication, Leadership and Teamwork
Skills
MQF6 Problem Solving and Scientific Skills
MQF7 Information Management and Lifelong Learning
Skills
MQF8 Managerial and Entrepreneurial Skills

17