COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: SOIL MECHANICS

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
CE 361	B	5	3	1	1	4	5

Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature)	M.Sc. Margarita Dajko mdajko@epoka.edu.al
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	M.Sc. Margarita Dajko mdajko@epoka.edu.al , By appointment
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	M.Sc. Bredli Plaku bplaku@epoka.edu.al
Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Compulsory
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered)	Bachelor in Civil Engineering (3 years)
Classroom and Meeting Time:	Friday: 09:40-12:30, A-128 / 13:40-15:30, A-005
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours:	NA
Code of Ethics:	Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement:	75%
Course Description:	Structure of the Earth. Geological cycles, minerals and rocks. External processes on land and in the sea. Internal processes, including deformation of rocks and earthquakes. Topics of interest to Civil Engineering students. Introduction Soil Mechanics, Basic Properties of Soils, Effective Stress, Seepage,Consolidation Theory, Shear Strength, Lateral Earth Pressure, Stability of Slopes.
Course Objectives:	The Soil Mechanics course provides essential knowledge for civil engineers, enabling the identification of common soil types and basic geological structures, as well as understanding soil behaviour under varying conditions. This course enhances students' ability to assess stress-strain relationships in soil masses and the role of groundwater. Students will gain knowledge in key areas, including the basic properties of soils, physical and mechanical characteristics, soil permeability and seepage, consolidation, stress distribution in soils, slope stability, soil compaction, and the use of geosynthetics.

BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE

1	Soil Properties
2	Effective Stress
3	Seepage
4	Consolidation
5	Shear Strength
6	Slope Stability
7	Lateral Earth Pressure
8	Geosynthetics
9	Permeability
10	Stress-Strain Relationships

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	Introduction: 1. A general overview of the course content. 2. Introduction to Geotechnical problems in civil engineering and infrastructure.
2	Basic Properties of Soils: 1.Historical development of soil mechanics. 2. Soil types and soil formation 3. Atomic structure of soils. 4. Clay minerals. 5. Interaction of clay particles 6. Phase relation
3	Soil Classification: 1. USCS and AASHTO soil classification system 2. Application of soil classification system
4	Soil Compaction: 1. Purposes of soil compaction 2. Factors affecting compaction 3. Laboratory compaction tests
5	Water in Soils: 1. Capillarity of soils 2. Bernoulli's Equation 3. Permeability in soils 4.Determinations of coefficient of permeability: Laboratory and field methods. 5. Seepage
6	Stresses in Soil: 1. Vertical Stresses 2. Effective Stresses 3. Boussinesq equation and Westergaard’s equation
7	Midterm Exam
8	Stresses in Soil (Continued)
9	Consolidation and Settlement: 1. Fundamentals of Consolidation 2. One –Dimensional Laboratory consolidation Test 3. Void Ratio – Pressure plots 4. Normally consolidated and over consolidated clay 5. Settlement Computations 6. Secondary Compression 7. Time Rate of Consolidation 8. Coefficient of Consolidation
10	Shear Strength: 1. Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion 2. Orientation of Failure Plane 3. Laboratory Tests For Determination of shear strength Parameters. 4. Direct Shear Test 5. Triaxial Shear Test-General 6. Consolidated drained Triaxial Test 7.Consolidated undrained Triaxial Test 8. Unconsolidated undrained Triaxial Test 9. Unconfined compression Test on Saturated clay
11	Lateral earth pressure
12	Earth Pressure Theories: 1.At-Rest, Active, and Passive Pressures 2. Coulomb’s Active Pressure 3. Coulomb’s Passive Pressure
13	Retaining Walls: 1. Types of retaining structures 2. Stability of retaining walls 3.
14	Final Exam

Prerequisite(s):	• Geology for Civil Engineers • Materials Science • Introduction to Construction Materials • Engineering Mechanics I • Engineering Hydrology
Textbook(s):	Knappett, J., & Craig, R. F. (2019). Craig's soil mechanics (9th ed.). CRC Press. ISBN: 978-1138070066
Additional Literature:	Budhu, M. (2011). Soil mechanics and foundations (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN: 978-1-118-13604-1
Laboratory Work:	Civil Engineering Laboratory
Computer Usage:	Autodesk AutoCAD; Microsoft Excel
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	The student will be able to define soil as in engineering context and relate problems associated with the definition with local soil conditions.
2	The student will be able to identify and differentiate the different types of soil and their properties and classify soil using Albanian/ British and / or Unified Soil Classification System.
3	The student will be able to conduct laboratory tests for determination of soil index, compaction and hydraulic properties.
4	The student will be able to solve calculation problem using mechanics involving physical properties, compaction and effective stress.
5	The student will be able to show the use of soil mechanics concepts in engineering works.

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES (Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)

No	Program Competencies	Cont.
Bachelor in Civil Engineering (3 years) Program
1	an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering	5
2	an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs	3
3	an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams	4
4	an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems	5
5	an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility	3
6	an ability to communicate effectively	3
7	the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context	2
8	a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life long learning	1
9	a knowledge of contemporary issues	4
10	an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice	5
11	skills in project management and recognition of international standards and methodologies	4

COURSE EVALUATION METHOD

Method	Quantity	Percentage
Homework	1	10
Midterm Exam(s)	1	30
Quiz	2	5
Laboratory	1	10
Final Exam	1	40
	Total Percent:	100%

ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)

Activities	Quantity	Duration(Hours)	Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours)	16	5	80
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	10	1	10
Mid-terms	1	15	15
Assignments	2	2	4
Final examination	1	16	16
Other			0
Total Work Load:			125
Total Work Load/25(h):			5
ECTS Credit of the Course:			5

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER

We extend our best wishes to all of you for a successful and productive experience in this course. We look forward to seeing your growth and achievements as we embark on this academic journey together.