Information Package / Course Catalogue
Advanced Soil Mechanics I
Course Code: MCE541
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: Second Cycle (Master's Degree)
Education Language: English
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 3
Prt.: 0
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 8
Objectives of the Course

This course aims to provide the students with knowledge and skills related to the theoetical concepts of soil mechanics, in a more advanced curriculum than the undergraduate soils mechanics courses offered. Special emphasis is given to geomechanics related elasticity concepts to be used in analytical and numerical models, stress and strain paths, one dimensional consolidation theory as well as the whole consolidation phenomemon and finally, problematic soils.

Course Content

1. The nature of soils. 2. Stresses within a soil mass, and stress states 3. Stress paths. 4. Stress-strain relationships. 5. Concepts from elastic theory. 6. Capillarity in soil. 7. Swelling and shrinkage. 8. Consolidation theory. 9. Settlement in granular soils

Name of Lecturer(s)
Prof. Selman SAĞLAM
Learning Outcomes
1.The students will be able to calculate the stresses and strains that the soils are subjected to in the elastic range, in a three dimensional state of stress
2.The students will be able to use soil compaction characteristics and evaluate the procedure to compact the soil layers
3.The students will be able to identify and classify swelling and collapsible soils based on laboratory test results
4.The students will be able to take the seepage effects into consideration during evaluation of soil overall behavior
5.The students will be able to fully understand the assumptions of the one dimensional consolidation theory and clearly decide on selecting/modifying the design parameters for consolidation settlement calculations in design process.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Holtz R. D. And Kovacs W. D. (1981), An introduction to Geotechnical Engineering, Prentice Hall, New Jersey, USA.
2.Lambe W., and Whitman R. V. (1979) Soil Mechanics. John Wiley & Sons
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Introduction-Nature of Soils
Week 2 - Theoretical
Stresses in soil mass
Week 3 - Theoretical
Mohr Circle Concept
Week 4 - Theoretical
Mohr Circle Concept
Week 5 - Theoretical
Stress Paths
Week 6 - Theoretical
Stress-strain relationships
Week 7 - Theoretical
Introduction to elasticity theory
Week 8 - Theoretical
Introduction to elasticity theory
Week 9 - Theoretical
Capillarity in soils
Week 10 - Theoretical
Consolidation Theory
Week 11 - Theoretical
Consolidation Theory
Week 12 - Theoretical
Swelling and shrinkage
Week 13 - Theoretical
Swelling and shrinkage
Week 14 - Theoretical
Settlement in granular soils
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Midterm Examination2%50
Final Examination1%30
Assignment5%20
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory1453112
Assignment501575
Midterm Examination23210
Final Examination1325
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)202
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
OÇ-1
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
OÇ-2
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
5
4
4
OÇ-3
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
5
5
4
5
OÇ-4
4
5
5
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
OÇ-5
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
5
4
5
4
5
5
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026