NUST Institute of Civil Engineering

School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Course Outline

COURSE CODE:

CE- 222

COURSE NAME:

Soil Mechanics - I

CREDIT HOURS:

Theory
Practical
Total

=
=
=

2
1
3

CONTACT HOURS:

Theory
Practical
Total

=
=
=

32
48
80

PREREQUISITES:

Nil

Form

UG-OBE-01

Date of Issue
Pages No

1 of 4

MODE OF TEACHING:
Instruction:
Practical/ Laboratory Demonstration:

Two hours of lecture per week

Three hours of Lab work per week

66%
33%

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides an elementary introduction to Soil Mechanics, and provides the basic mechanics
necessary for the detailed study of Geotechnical Engineering. This course aims to provide an
understanding of the nature of soils as engineering materials; common soil classification schemes; the
importance of water in the soil and the effects of water movement; and the stress-strain-strength response
of soils.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The objective of this course is to provide the students with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of
the various types of soils, their classifications, compaction, permeability and shear strength parameters.
RELEVANT PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs):
The course is designed so that students achieve following PLOs:
1
2
3
4
5
6

Engineering Knowledge:
Problem Analysis:
Design/Development of Solutions:
Investigation:
Modern Tool Usage:
The Engineer and Society:

7
8
9
10
11
12

Environment and Sustainability:

Ethics:
Individual and Team Work:
Communication:
Project Management:
Lifelong Learning:

NUST Institute of Civil Engineering

School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Course Outline

Form

UG-OBE-01

Date of Issue
Pages No

2 of 4

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLOs):

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
S.No
1
2
3

CLO
Differentiate a given soil as per recognized soil
classification systems.
Apply Darcys law to analyze problems of flow /
seepage through soils.
Conduct tests in the laboratory and in the field to
determine various properties of the soil for use in
geotechnical characterization of soils.

Domain

Taxonomy
Level

PLO

Cognitive

Cognitive

Psychomotor

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:
All structures that we see around us are founded on soil. This course aims to provide an understanding of
the nature of soils as engineering materials; common soil classification schemes; the importance of water
in the soil and the effects of water movement; and the stress-strain-strength response of soils. These all
factors combined forms the basis for design of shallow and deep foundations for building, roads, bridges
and any other civil engineering structure resting on ground.
TOPICS COVERED WITH THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO PLOs:
Theory:
Week
/Lecture
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14-15
16-17
Practicals:
No.
1

Topics
Introduction
Soil Formation and Nature of Soil constituents
Mechanical analysis of soil (sieve analysis & hydrometer analysis)
Clay Soil Formation
Phase Relationships (Weight-Volume relationship)
Soil Plasticity
Soil Plasticity (Specific Gravity)
Soil Classification systems
Soil Compaction: Introduction, theory, and lab tests
Soil Compaction: Field Density Determination
Soil Permeability
Seepage and Flow Nets
Seepage Examples
In-Situ Stresses
Stresses in Soil

Practicals
Sieve analysis.

NUST Institute of Civil Engineering

School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Course Outline

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Form

UG-OBE-01

Date of Issue
Pages No

3 of 4

Hydrometer analysis.
Specific gravity.
Moisture content determination.
Atterberg limits.
Field identification tests.
Permeability by constant and variable head.
AASHO and modified AASHO test.
Density in situ by sand replacement and rubber balloon method.
Relative density

TEXT AND MATERIAL:

Textbook (s)
1. Introduction to Soil Mechanics by Braja. M. Das.
References Material:
1.
2.
3.
4.

An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering by Holtz and Kovac.

Basic Soil Mechanic by R. Whitlow.
Geotechnical Engineering by Cernika.
Theoretical Soil Mechanics by Terzaghi.

ASSESMENT SYSTEM:
1. CLOs Assessment
Cognitive
Spreadsheet

Psychomotor Affective
Rubrics
-

2. Relative Grading
66%

Theoretical / Instruction
Assignments 10%
Quizzes 10%
OHT Exams 30%
End Semester Exam 50%

33%

Practical Work
Laboratory Work

70%
Laboratory Attendance 20%
Laboratory Report 20%

NUST Institute of Civil Engineering

School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Course Outline

Form

UG-OBE-01

Date of Issue
Pages No

4 of 4

Laboratory Quiz 30%

Viva/Quiz
Total

30%
100%

Prepared By (Instructor)

Dr. Kamran Akhtar

Reviewed By (LQEC)

Dr. Wasim Khaliq / Dr. Shaukat Ali Khan

Approved By (Assoc Dean)

Dr. Liaqat Ali