651-4064-00L  Engineering Geological Field Course I (Soils)

SemesterSpring Semester 2021
LecturersK. Thuro
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish
CommentNumber of participants limited to 20.



Courses

NumberTitleHoursLecturers
651-4064-00 PEngineering Geological Field Course I (Soils)
Field Course
80s hrsK. Thuro

Catalogue data

AbstractApplication of geotechnical soil classification techniques in outcrops and core samples, including geomorphological and geological field mapping. Imparts knowledge for an understanding of Quarternary processes and their consequences on building (under)ground.
Supplements lectures in soil mechanics and geological site investigation techniques.
Learning objectivea) Students are able to perform a geotechnical characterization of soils according to international standards.
b) Students are able to identify different types of soils in samples and in the field. They can interprete geological origin, formation and history of different soil types.
c) Students are able to recognize geomorphological structures in the field and analyze their geological formation.
d) Students can present their research results in an appropriate way (written and oral).
ContentThe course starts with an introduction lecture on soil classification (USCS and Swiss standards), field testing and sampling techniques, borehole logging, mapping techniques and Quaternary geology of Zurich. The main part is an extensive field course which includes a quarry mapping exercise, borhole logging and field maping by geomorphlogical features. Student teams get a mandate for geotechnical investigations on a certain question and have to write a report about their findings. Teaching in the field will primarily consist in guiding the students in their mapping work. Subsequently, the field and laboratory data is analyzed by the students.
Lecture notesCourse notes and field manual. All documents will be made available from the web.
LiteratureKNAPPETT, J. & CRAIG, R.F. (2019): Craig's Soil Mechanics. - 600 p., 9th ed., London, New York (CRC Press).
LANG, H.-J., HUDER, J.,AMAN, P. & PUZRIN, A.M. (2011): Bodenmechanik und Grundbau. Das Verhalten von Böden und die wichtigsten grundbaulichen Konzepte. - 336 p., 9. Aufl., Berlin (Springer).
Prerequisites / NoticeOther necessary equipment or material:
Geological field equipment: Geologic compass, GPS receiver, soil hammer, field notebook (water resistant), field bag, coloured pencils, felt tipped pens (permanent), hand lens, straight edge (scale), meter, tri-angle, tracing paper, hydrochloric acid (in small bottle), string, computer notebook for report preparation

Students registering for the course confirm having read and accepted the terms and conditions for excursions and field courses of D-ERDW Link

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits3 credits
ExaminersK. Thuro
Typegraded semester performance
Language of examinationEnglish
RepetitionRepetition possible without re-enrolling for the course unit.

Learning materials

 
Main linkInformation on Excursions and Field Courses of D-ERDW
Additional linksTerms and Conditions for Excursions and Field Courses at D-ERDW
Only public learning materials are listed.

Groups

No information on groups available.

Restrictions

Places20 at the most
PriorityRegistration for the course unit is only possible for the primary target group
Primary target groupEnvironmental Engineering MSc (127000)
Earth Sciences MSc (660000)
Applied Geophysics MSc (662000)
Doctorate Earth and Planetary Sciences (664002)
Doctorate EAPS ETH-UZH (665000)
Doctorate EAPS UZH-ETH (665100)
Waiting listuntil 22.02.2021
End of registration periodRegistration only possible until 07.03.2021

Offered in

ProgrammeSectionType
Earth Sciences MasterEngineering Geology: MethodsOInformation