DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-DASMARINAS

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE CODE : T-CEET316

COURSE TITLE : Geotechnical Engineering 1
COURSE TYPE : Lecture
COURSE CREDIT : 3 Units
PRE-REQUISITES : Mechanics of Deformable Bodies
CO-REQUISITES : Geotechnical Engineering 1 Laboratory

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course deals with the study of the identification and classification of soils and rocks, site investigation and
subsurface exploration, the physical and index properties of soil, compaction, water flow through soils, subsurface
stress and deformation phenomena in soils, and the relevance of these topics as they affect soil strength,
compressibility, stability, and drainage. A thorough knowledge of engineering geology and mechanics of deformable
bodies is imperative.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, students are expected to:

CLO1. define soil mechanics and its importance in civil engineering;

CLO2. understand the geotechnical characteristics and particle sizes of soils used in engineering.
CLO3. show proficiency in determining soil and rock properties, selecting soil parameters for analysis and design
relevant to geotechnical engineering;
CLO4. estimate settlement magnitude of compressible soils; and
CLO5. describe the fundamentals of geotechnics.
LEARNING PLAN

Learning Outcomes for Midterm Period

Course Learning Outcomes
CLO1. define soil mechanics and its importance in civil engineering;
CLO2. understand the geotechnical characteristics and particle sizes of
soils used in engineering.
CLO3. show proficiency in determining soil and rock properties,
selecting soil parameters for analysis and design relevant to
geotechnical engineering;
Topic Learning Outcomes
 TLO1. Appreciate the importance of geology in geotechnical engineering.
 TLO2. Know common and major failures that engineers encounter in the
geotechnical aspect of projects.
 TLO3. Understand the formation of soils.
 TLO4. Determine particle size distribution of a soil mass.
 TLO5. Interpret grading curves.
 TLO6. Determine the proportions of the main constituents in a soil.
 TLO7. Understand how water changes the states of soils, particularly fine-grained
soils.
 TLO8. Determine the rate of flow of water through soils.

Summative Assessment

Onsite Activities

Allotted Hours
Asynchronous
Synchronous
Teaching-Learning Activities / Assessment Strategy
Module No
and
Learning Technology
Outcome(s) Date Offline/Printed Module Activities Online Module Activities Enabler
Schoolbook
 Printed course syllabus  Syllabus uploaded
Module 1 Sep 16 MS Teams / 1.5
 Course overview  Presentation of course introduction
MS PowerPoint
TLO 1  Gospel reflection essay  Gospel reflection essay
TLO 2  Introduction to Soil Mechanics and its  Presentation of Introduction to Soil Schoolbook
Sep 18 / 1.5
CLO 1 Importance to Civil Engineering via Mechanics and its Importance to PowerPoint
printed module Civil Engineering
Module 2  Gospel reflection essay
 Presentation of Origin of Soil and Schoolbook
TLO 3  Gospel reflection essay
Grain size lecture MS PowerPoint
TLO 4 Sep 23  Origin of Soil and Grain Size lecture via / 1.5
 Video presentation for origin of soil MS Excel
TLO 5 printed module
 Using excel for drawing grain sizes Youtube
CLO 2 curve
Sep 30  Gospel reflection essay  Gospel reflection essay Schoolbook / 1.5
 Weight-Volume Relationships lecture  Presentation of Weight-Volume MS PowerPoint
via printed module Relationships lecture
 Practice assessments  Practice assessments
  Gospel reflection essay
 Presentation of Plasticity and
Schoolbook
 Gospel reflection essay Structure of Soil lecture
MS PowerPoint
Oct 2  Plasticity and Structure of Soil lecture  Video presentation for Plasticity and / 1.5
MS Excel
via printed module Structure of Soil Youtube
 Using excel for determining liquid
limit
 Gospel reflection essay  Gospel reflection essay
 Classification of Soil lecture via printed  Presentation of Classification of Soil Schoolbook
Oct 7 / 1.5
module lecture MS PowerPoint
 Practice assessments  Practice assessments
 Formative Assessment 1: long quiz
 Enabling Assessment 1: long quiz on
on Grain size, weight-volume
Oct 9 Grain size, weight-volume relationship, Schoolbook / 1.5
relationship, Atterberg limits and
Atterberg limits and Soil classification
Soil classification
Oct 14 SELF-CARE / ME-TIME 1.5
Summative assessment 1: Grain size, Summative assessment 1: Grain size,
weight-volume relationship, Atterberg weight-volume relationship, Atterberg / 1.5
limits and Soil classification limits and Soil classification
 Gospel reflection essay
Schoolbook
 Gospel reflection essay  Presentation of Soil Compaction
MS Stream
Oct 16  Soil Compaction via printed module  Video presentation for Soil / 1.5
MS PowerPoint
 Practice assessments Compaction Youtube
 Practice assessments
 Gospel reflection essay
 Gospel reflection essay Schoolbook
 Presentation of Permeability lecture
Oct 21  Permeability lecture via printed module MS PowerPoint / 1.5
 Video presentation for Permeability
 Practice assessments Youtube
 Practice assessments
Module 3
 Gospel reflection essay Schoolbook
 Gospel reflection essay
Oct 23  Presentation of Seepage lecture MS PowerPoint / 1.5
TLO 3  Seepage lecture via printed module
TLO 4  Video presentation for Permeability Youtube
CLO 5  Gospel reflection essay
 Gospel reflection essay Schoolbook
Oct 31  Seepage 2/2 lecture via printed / 1.5
 Seepage 2/2 lecture via printed module MS PowerPoint
module
 Enabling assessment 2: quiz on Soil  Formative assessment 2: quiz on Soil
Oct 22 Schoolbook / 1.5
compaction, permeability, and seepage compaction, permeability, and seepage
Nov 4  Preparation time  Preparation time
/ 3.0
and 6  Consultation (if able and willing)  Consultation (if able and willing)
Nov 11 SELF-CARE / ME-TIME 1.5
Summative assessment 2: Soil Summative assessment 2: Soil
Nov 13 Schoolbook / 1.5
compaction, permeability, and seepage compaction, permeability, and seepage
4. 13.
TOTAL 3.0 3.0 27.0
5 5
Learning Outcomes for Final Period
Course Learning Outcomes
CLO4. Estimate settlement magnitude of compressible soils.
CLO5. Describe the fundamentals of geotechnics.
Topic Learning Outcomes
 TLO6. Analyze normal and shear stresses on an inclined plane with known stresses on a
two-dimensional stress element
 TLO7. Determine of vertical stress increase at a certain depth due to the application of
load on the surface.
 TLO8. Calculate one-dimensional consolidation settlement and time rate of settlement.
 TLO9. Understand soil consolidation under vertical loads.
 TLO10. Determine the shear strength of soils.
 TLO11. Determine the type of shear test that best simulates field conditions.
 TLO12. Interpret laboratory and field test results to obtain shear strength parameters.

Summative Assessment

Onsite Activities

Allotted Hours
Asynchronous
Synchronous
Teaching-Learning Activities / Assessment Strategy
Module No
and
Learning Technology
Outcome(s) Date Printed Module Activities Online Module Activities Enabler
Module 4 Nov 18 SELF-CARE / ME-TIME 1.5
 Gospel reflection essay  Gospel reflection essay
TLO 6  In-situ stresses lecture via printed  Presentation of In-situ stresses Schoolbook
TLO 7 Nov 20 / 1.5
module lecture MS PowerPoint
TLO 8  Practice assessments  Practice assessments
TLO 9  Gospel reflection essay  Gospel reflection essay
CLO 4  Soil stresses 1/2 lecture via printed  Presentation for Soil stresses 1/2 Schoolbook
Nov 25 / 1.5
module lecture MS PowerPoint
 Practice assessments  Practice assessments
Nov 27  Gospel reflection essay  Gospel reflection essay Schoolbook / 1.5
 Soil stresses 2/2 lecture via printed  Presentation for Soil stresses 2/2 MS PowerPoint
module lecture
 Practice assessments  Practice assessments
  Gospel reflection essay
 Presentation for Compressibility of
 Gospel reflection essay
Soil (Elastic Settlement and Primary
 Compressibility of Soil (Elastic Schoolbook
consolidation) lecture
Dec 2 Settlement and Primary consolidation) MS PowerPoint / 1.5
 Video presentation for elastic
lecture via printed module Youtube
settlement and primary consolidation
 Practice assessments
of soil
 Practice assessments
 Gospel reflection essay
 Gospel reflection essay
 Compressibility of Soil (Secondary
 Presentation for Compressibility of
consolidation and Time rate of Schoolbook
Dec 4 Soil (Secondary consolidation and / 1.5
consolidation) lecture via printed MS PowerPoint
Time rate of consolidation)
module
 Practice assessments
 Practice assessments
Dec 9  Case study 1  Progress report Schoolbook / 1.5

 Consultation for case study thru text or

Dec 11  Progress report MS Teams / 1.5
call
 Formative Assessment 1: In-situ
 Enabling Assessment 1: In-situ stresses,
Dec 16 stresses, soil stresses, compressibility Schoolbook / 1.5
soil stresses, compressibility of soil
of soil
Module 5 Dec 18 SELF-CARE / ME-TIME 1.5
 Summative assessment 2: In-situ  Summative assessment 2: In-situ
CLO 4 stresses, soil stresses, compressibility of stresses, soil stresses, compressibility Schoolbook / 1.5
CLO 5 soil of soil
 Gospel reflection essay
 Gospel reflection essay
 Shear Strength of Soil: Direct Shear Schoolbook
 Shear Strength of Soil: Direct Shear Test
Jan 6 Test lecture via printed module MS PowerPoint / 1.5
lecture via printed module
 Video presentation: direct shear test Youtube
 Practice assessments
 Practice assessments
 Gospel reflection essay
 Gospel reflection essay
 Presentation for Shear Strength of
 Shear Strength of Soil: Tri-axial test Schoolbook
Soil: Tri-axial test (UU, CU, CD)
Jan 8 (UU, CU, CD) lecture via printed MS PowerPoint / 1.5
lecture
module Youtube
 Video presentation: tri-axial tests
 Practice assessments
 Practice assessments
Jan 13  Case study 2  Preparation time Schoolbook / 1.5
 Feedback and consultation
  Self-preparation
Jan 15 &
 Consultation for case study thru text or  Progress / accomplishment report / 3.0
20
call
 Enabling assessment 2: Shear strength of  Formulative assessment 2: Shear
Jan 22 Schoolbook / 1.5
soils strength of soils
 Summative assessment 2: Shear strength  Summative assessment 2: Shear
Jan 27 Schoolbook / 1.5
of soils strength of soils
13.
TOTAL 4.5 3.0 3.0 27.0
5
GRADING SYSTEM

Midterm
Enabling Assessments - 40%
Summative Assessments - 60%
100%

Finals
Enabling Assessments - 50%
Summative Assessments - 50%
100%

Overall Final Grade = Midterm + Final

2

COURSE POLICIES AND REQUIREMENTS

1. Enrollment in an E-Class. Your teacher shall enroll you in the e-class. This will be based on the class list
provided by the Office of the University Registrar and at the portal. For those who opted for printed modules,
you will only be given the module if you are officially enrolled.

2. Communication and Feedback

a. Online Synchronous Communication shall happen as indicated in the learning plan section of the
syllabus.
b. Online Asynchronous Communication shall happen when the faculty utilizes at least one of the
recommended asynchronous communication. The minimum response time for asynchronous
communication is 24 hours, excluding Sundays and holidays. All communication platforms must be
explicitly indicated in the syllabus. Below are the recommended asynchronous communication
platforms:
i. Forum – at the Forum Tab at Schoolbook, students can post their general concerns. The forum
is public and any post can be seen by the class.
ii. Messaging – at Schoolbook. Any private or confidential matters must may be messaged
through Schoolbook messaging feature.
iii. Email – you may email your professor at jpsarte@dlsud.edu.ph
c. Offline Communication are only for Students who opted for Printed Modules. Text messaging subject
to strict confidentiality agreement between the student and the professor maybe used. This mode of
communication is exclusive only for the specified type of student. Calls may be entertained within
working hours (8AM to 5PM), while text messages may be responded to within 24 hours, excluding
Sundays and holidays.
d. No using of foul, curse, and other bad words, whether in written or verbal. No shouting. No flooding
of chat and messages. No selling.

3. Attendance Policy
a. Attendance Policy for Online Classes is scheduled based on the learning plan. Attendance, especially
in synchronous classes, shall not be a basis for receiving a failing grade. It will not comprise any grade
in the class standing.
b. RSVP as part of an ethical process of conducting online meetings, the following will be observed:
i. The synchronous meeting will be made by the teacher at least 14 calendar days before its
schedule.
 ii. The student must RSVP at least three days before the scheduled synchronous meeting.
iii. The faculty will announce two days before the calendared synchronous meeting if it will push
through or if it will be cancelled. If cancelled, the faculty will announce a replacement
asynchronous activity and the new schedule of the synchronous meeting.
c. The minimum required attendees in synchronous class shall be 50 percent of the entire class. It is the
faculty’s prerogative whether to continue or discontinue the session if it does not reach 50 percent.
However, if the attendees are less than 20 percent of the total class, the synchronous session will be
rescheduled, an asynchronous learning activity will take the place of the supposed synchronous
meeting.
d. All synchronous meetings will be recorded and embedded into a schoolbook page section. It will also
be accessed by students at MS Teams and other institutionally subscribed video hosting platform.
e. The synchronous meeting will only be held at the schedule indicated in the registration form.

4. Intellectual Property Policy

a. Policy and copyright infringement will not be tolerated. Any violation of such will earn students a
grade of zero in the assessment.
b. Using of any illegally obtained software is strictly prohibited.
c. Students are encouraged to use their original photos, videos, and other resources. Otherwise, students
can use royalty-free resources or embed the sources in their submissions to avoid copyright
infringement and/or plagiarism.
d. Inviting people, that are not part of the class, in synchronous meetings is strictly prohibited, unless
approved by the subject teacher. Posing as another person during a synchronous activity is strictly
prohibited.
e. Giving of password to Schoolbook and Office 365 is strictly prohibited. Likewise, accessing
Schoolbook and Office 365 account other than the students’ personal account is also strictly
prohibited. Violating students will be reported to the Student Welfare and Formation Office
(SWAFO).

5. Other Policies
a. Attire - students must wear decent casual or smart-casual attire prescribed by the Student Handbook.
b. Microphone Use – microphone must be muted and only unmuted when the teacher requires them to.
c. Video – videos may be used by the teacher to validate attendance. However, the student can choose to
turn off the video if the teacher allows them to.
d. Use of English is required for any presentation including the question and answer. Tagalog or Taglish
can be used during consultation.

REFERENCES

Online References
Call Reference Material
number or
e-provider
Youtube Prof. William Kitch (2015). Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering. Retrieved from
channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyt3w3SogxUSJ7RSxQusXXA/featured
Youtube Dr. Kevin Franke (2017). Elementary Soil Mechanics. Retrieved from
Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtSu6oTBCMyJ7Xzy-3UJ4kw
McQueen, L.B. et al., (2018) Rock mechanics for design of Brisbane tunnels and implications of
Online
recent thinking in relation to rock mass strength. Retrieved from
Journal
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674775518304128
Online Vert. J. (2019) Hydraulics and Geotechnical Engineering. Retrieved from
 https://www.mathalino.com/ce-board-subject/hydraulics-and-geotechnical-engineering
Youtube Engr. Grady Hillhouse (2007). Practical Engineering. Retrieved from
Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/PracticalEngineeringChannel/about

On-Site References
Call Reference Material
number or
e-provider
TA 775 Das, B. (2017) Fundamentals of geotechnical engineering. Boston, MA : Cengage Learning,
.D26 2017 [2017].
TA 775 Huang, A. and Yu, H. (2018) Foundation engineering analysis and design. Boca Raton : CRC
.H860 2018 Press, [2018].
TA 710 Das, B. (2016) Introduction to geotechnical engineering. Boston, MA : Cengage Learning,
.D260 2016 [2016].

Prepared by: Noted by:

Syllabi Committee Engr. Francis F. Villareal, MSCE

Civil Engineering Program Civil Engineering Program Coordinator

Endorsed by: Approved by:

Ma. Estrella Natalie B. Pineda, MSManE, PIE JOSE RIZALDY DE ARMAS, MEng, PECE
Chair, Engineering Department Dean, CEAT