MEng Civil Engineering

There is a compulsory field course for Civil Engineering students which incurs a subsidised fee* (approx. £100) that contributes to travel, accommodation and subsistence. You are expected to bring your own wet weather clothing and footwear.

The exact cost and dates of the trip are confirmed at the start of your second year.

* In accordance with current University policy, this fee is restricted to be not more than 1% of the annual tuition fee of the course

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

For information about scholarships and bursaries please see our undergraduate fees pages and check the Department's funding pages .

This is an introductory course to Soil Mechanics that covers the following fundamental concepts:

1)   Strength of soils: Definition of strength in particulate multi-phase materials under different stress paths (drained and undrained conditions). Derivation of strength parameters from laboratory tests, including: triaxial, direct and simple shear tests. Introduction to main constitutive models used for saturated and dry soils, including the Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion and more advanced constitutive models based on the critical state soil mechanics.

2)   Compressibility of soils: Introduction to Terzaghi’s theory of one-dimensional consolidation. Derivation of compressibility and stiffness parameters from conventional laboratory test (oedometer test). Definition of degree of consolidation. Application of the theory of consolidation for evaluation of consolidation settlement in clay.

3)   Stability of earthworks: Classification of landslides. Use of limit equilibrium method to determine stability of slopes, embankments and excavations. Introduction to methods of analysis used in routine practice, outlining their assumptions and limitations.

4) Introduction to Critical State Soil Mechanics: Introduction to critical state framework to link compressibility, stress path and strength of soils.

To introduce the fundamental concepts of soil mechanics and demonstrate through the use of case histories and laboratory activities how geotechnical aspects influence design, construction and maintenance of engineering structures, with emphasis on earthworks (slopes, embankments, excavations)

1) Strength of soils: Definition of strength in particulate multi-phase materials under different stress paths (drained and undrained conditions). Derivation of strength parameters from laboratory tests, including: triaxial, direct and simple shear tests. Introduction to main constitutive models used for saturated and dry soils, including the Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion and more advanced constitutive models based on the critical state soil mechanics.

2)   Compressibility of soils: Introduction to Terzaghi’s theory of one-dimensional consolidation. Derivation of compressibility and stiffness parameters from conventional laboratory test (oedometer test). Definition of degree of consolidation. Application of the theory of consolidation for evaluation of consolidation settlement in clay.

3)   Stability of earthworks: Classification of landslides. Use of limit equilibrium method to determine stability of slopes, embankments and excavations. Introduction to methods of analysis used in routine practice, outlining their assumptions and limitations.

4) Introduction to Critical State Soil Mechanics: Introduction to critical state framework to link compressibility, stress path and strength of soils.

Feedback provided within two weeks from coursework submission thorough general feedback, detailed solution, individual feedback form, highlighting strength and weaknesses