course-details-portlet

TBM4240 - Geotechnical Engineering 1

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: School exam
Grade: Letter grades

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
School exam 100/100 4 hours D

Course content

The main focus in the course is geotechnical engineering, and to develop the understanding of how soil material acts in building foundations, stability of slopes, excavations and embankments.

The understanding of soil mechanics requires knowledge in geology, the origin of the various components of the soil, and the processes of nature behind the creation of the sediments. The course therefore includes geology, focusing on surface soil sediments, mineralogy and rock- and stone masses used in construction works.

The course is the main basis for continued studies in geotechnical engineering at MSc level.

Topics:

  • how soil sediments are created
  • soil composition and properties
  • stresses and stress changes in soil
  • soil stiffness
  • settlement
  • ground water flow
  • bearing capacity of foundations on soil
  • earth pressure
  • stability of slopes, cuts and embankments

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The candidate shall have knowledge of

  • Earth crust composition, focusing on Norwegian conditions
  • Creation of soil sediments and rock masses
  • Properties of soil sediments and rock masses
  • Classification and identification of soils
  • Stresses in soils, earth pressure, bearing capacity, settlements and stability
  • Groundwater flow

Skills

The candidate shall have the skills to

  • Identify and assess the characteristics of Norwegian soils
  • Calculate stresses and settlements of fills and foundations
  • Use flow grids to analyze water flow in soil
  • Calculate the stability of a slope under given geometry, soil type and strength and ground water conditions
  • Calculate earth pressure and resultant forces on basement walls and on support walls in deep excavations
  • Analyze how terrain changes affect structure integrity and stability
  • Calculate the required foundations dimensions to accommodate given loads

General competence

The candidate shall posses a competence in geotechnical engineering and geology that enables him/her to practice in civil engineering teams of consulting engineers, contractors and clients

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, Exercises and tutorials with quidance. Laboratory exercises and demonstrations.

Compulsory assignments

  • Assignments, Laboratory work

Further on evaluation

Obligatory assignments in this course are exercises and lab work. At least 6 out of 8 obligatory exercises, including the laboratory exercise, must be approved to attend the exam.

Obligatory assignments from previous semesters may be approved by the department.

In case of a re-sit exam, written exam may be changed into oral.

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

Videos in Grunnleggende Geoteknikk (in Norwegian)

Geotechnics: Kompendium from NTNU - Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering

Geology: Teaching material and presentations from NTNU - Department of Geoscience and Petroleum

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From To
SIB2010 7.5 AUTUMN 2022
GEOL1003 3.0 AUTUMN 2022
TGB4100 3.7 AUTUMN 2022
TGB4210 2.0 AUTUMN 2022
BA6063 7.5 AUTUMN 2022
BYGT2001 7.5 AUTUMN 2024
BYGG2001 7.5 AUTUMN 2024
BYGA2001 7.5 AUTUMN 2024
More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  7.5 SP
Study level: Foundation courses, level I

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  SPRING 2025

Language of instruction: Norwegian

Location: Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • Port Engineering
  • Marine Civil Engineering
  • Building and Construction Engineering
  • Structural Engineering
  • Highway Engineering
  • Geotechnical Engineering
Contact information
Course coordinator: Lecturer(s):

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Examination

Examination arrangement: School exam

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Spring ORD School exam 100/100 D 2025-05-27 09:00 INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
SL111 orange sone Sluppenvegen 14 15
SL111 brun sone Sluppenvegen 14 19
SL111 grønn sone Sluppenvegen 14 50
SL110 turkis sone Sluppenvegen 14 80
Summer UTS School exam 100/100 D INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

More on examinations at NTNU