CMA423: SOIL MECHANICS, EARTHWORK AND RETAINING STRUCTURES

About This Course

The main objective of the course is to give students sufficient understanding and knowledge of various building construction-related jobs. The course covers the topics of earthworks, land reclamation, slope stabilisation, retaining walls, and soil enhancement with a focus on the technique and installation of the element. During construction, attention will be paid to environmental, public health, and safety concerns.

Topics In This Course

1. Earthworks

1.1) Introduction

1.2) General consideration & planning

1.3) Bulking & shrinkage

1.4) Areas & volumes

1.5) Design aspects of earthwork structures

1.6) Earthwork plants/equipment

1.7) Earthwork processes: excavation/digging, transporting/hauling, placing & spreading, compaction

1.8) Scheduling of earthwork

1.9) Mass haul diagram.

2. Drainage

2.1) Introduction

2.2) General planning and design consideration

2.3) Types of drainage e.g. Surface Drainage, Sub soil Drainage

2.4) Drainage construction

3. Dredging

3.1) Introduction

3.2) General planning and design consideration

3.3) Types of dredging

3.4) Method of dredging for river and drainage systems

3.5) Sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS)

3.6) JPS Manual Mesra Alam (MSMA)

4. Slope Stabilization and Retaining Walls

4.1) Introduction

4.2) Slope stability concepts

4.3) Slope failures

4.4) Selection of stabilization methods

4.5) Slope stabilization methods: unloading, buttressing, drainage, reinforcement, retaining walls, vegetation, surface slope protection, soil hardening, rock slope stabilization methods

4.6) Maintenance of slope

5. Soil Improvement and stabilization

5.1) Introduction

5.2) Types of unstable soil in Malaysia: marine deposits, inland valley deposits, ex- mining soil and fill soil.

5.3) Problems of unstable soil

5.4) Method of soil improvement: preloading & vertical drain, vibro- compaction/ flotation, dynamic compaction, stone column, grouting, geo-textiles etc.

5.5) Selection of soil improvement method.

5.6) Methods of classic soil stabilization with cement and lime

5.7) Understand the reaction mechanism that occurs during modification and stabilization processes.

6. Soil Mechanics

6.1) Soil formation and nature

6.2) Soil description and classification

6.3) Clay Mineralogy

6.4) Permeability and seepage

7. Soil Lab

7.1) Moisture Content Determination

7.2) Particle Size Distribution

7.3) Proctor Compaction Test

7.4) Consistency (Atterberg) Limits

7.5) Liquid and plastic limit

7.6) Shrinkage test

7.7) Testing & Commissioning