GEO 3075/5075 - INTRODUCTION TO GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
- Instructor: Aurelian C. Trandafir, Assistant Professor (FASB 449), Tel.: +1-801-585-0491, E-mail: a.trandafir@utah.edu
- Department: Geology and Geophysics, Univ. of Utah
- Prerequisite knowledge and/or skills: MATH 1210, CHEM 1210.
- Course objectives: The course is to be taken by undergraduate and prospective graduate students pursuing a career in geo-engineering (e.g., geological engineering, geotechnical engineering in civil engineering, mining engineering, and other related fields).
- Topics covered: Geologic time, plate tectonics, minerals, rock types and formation, structures and discontinuities in rocks, engineering properties of rocks, soil deposits, introduction to soil engineering, stresses and strains, stresses in the ground, Mohr's circle, strength and failure of soil and rock, groundwater effects, geologic hazards (e.g., landslides). One lecture, one lab weekly.
- Term project: The term project will involve engineering design work on a geological engineering problem that will employ rock and soil engineering concepts introduced during this course.
- Outcomes: By the end of the course students will
- understand the breadth of geological engineering;
- be familiar with the practice areas covered by geological engineers;
- be able to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering;
- be able to communicate effectively in an engineering environment;
- be able to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs;
- gain an understanding of the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context.
- recognize the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning.
- gain a knowledge of contemporary issues.
- Textbooks: There is no particular text book required for the lectures. Handouts will be made available by the instructor before the beginning of each class. For the geology part of the lab sessions, the following lab manual will be used:
Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology (7th Edition) by American Geological Institute (Author), National Association of Geoscience Teachers (Author), Richard M. Busch (Author), Dennis Tasa (Author), NAGT AGI (Author). ISBN-10: 0131497456. ISBN-13: 978-0131497450
- Lectures: Attendance to lectures is not mandatory but important in order to significantly reduce the learning time and effectively grasp the course notes especially those addressing the engineering concepts.
- Labs: Attendance to the laboratories is mandatory, as part of the assignments will be carried out and submitted during the lab sessions. Graduate students will receive additional homework assignments.
- Note: Straightedge, compass, eraser, pencil, and hand calculator will be necessary for the activities in the classroom.
- Exams: The midterm examination will consist of questions on topics covered within lectures and labs during the first half of the semester. The final exam will consist of questions on topics covered during the last half of the semester in both lectures and labs.
- Course Grading: Homework - 30%, Midterm Exam - 30%, Final Exam - 40%. The contribution of each student to the team effort on the final Power Point presentation of the term design project will be rated by the team members and will significantly contribute towards the final grade.
The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. If you will need accommodations in the class, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to the Center for Disability Services, 162 Union Building, 581-5020 (V/TDD). CDS will work with you and the instructor to make arrangements for accommodations.
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