Soil Modelling and Numerical Methods

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will have:

• The ability to describe the basic features of commonly used models of soil behaviour.
• The ability to understand the advantages and limitations of different models of soil behaviour and to select the appropriate soil parameters.
• The ability to understand the fundamental concepts of unsaturated soil mechanics, including the different types of suctions and the soil-water characteristic curve, and their application to geotechnical systems.
• The ability to use a finite element program to analyse a wide range of geotechnical problems such as offshore foundation or embankment loading situations.
• The ability to understand the fundamentals and computational methods of discrete element modelling.
• The ability to understand the benefits of automating numerical analysis and to use scripting to automate basic tasks in a geotechnical finite element program.

Course Agenda

This module is taught over a two week period. Learning will be a combination of:

• Presentations
• Directed reading
• Specially prepared notes on the principles of numerical modelling in geotechnical engineering
• Small group teaching exercises
• Guided tutorials on relevant software
• Practical computer sessions providing real-world examples of taught theory

For more information on this course, please contact llahub@newcastle.ac.uk or enquire here