Subject Datasheet
Download PDFI. Subject Specification
1. Basic Data
1.1 Title
Soil Mechanics
1.2 Code
BMEEOGMAT42
1.3 Type
Module with associated contact hours
1.4 Contact hours
| Type | Hours/week / (days) |
| Lecture | 2 |
| Seminar | 2 |
1.5 Evaluation
Midterm grade
1.6 Credits
4
1.7 Coordinator
| name | András Mahler PhD |
| academic rank | Associate professor |
| mahler.andras@emk.bme.hu |
1.8 Department
Department of Engineering Geology and Geotechnics
1.9 Website
1.10 Language of instruction
english
1.11 Curriculum requirements
Compulsory in the Civil Engineering (BSc) programme
1.12 Prerequisites
Strong prerequisites:
- Geology (BMEEOGMAT41)
- Introduction to Strength of Materials (BMEEOTMAT42)
- Hydraulics I. (BMEEOVVAT42)
1.13 Effective date
1 September 2022
2. Objectives and learning outcomes
2.1 Objectives
The scope of the subject is to teach the students the followings: fundamentals of geotechnics, origin of soils, types of soil exploration and soil samples, composition of soils (phase relationships), soil classification (particle size distribution, Atterberg limits) and compaction of soils. After the course the student is able to calculate vertical stress distribution in soil masses (with and without seepage), seepage in soils (Darcy’s law, hydraulic gradient, coefficient of permeability) and gets know the relationships of soil compressibility (primary consolidation, secondary compression) and the shear strength of soils (Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion, determination shear strength parameters)
2.2 Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject, the student:
A. Knowledge
- knows the phase relationships of soils,
- knows the soils classification procedures and the corresponding laboratory tests,
- knows the seepage relationships,
- knows the deformation characteristics of soils,
- knows the shear strength parameters of soils.
B. Skills
- is able to evaluate the basic geotechnical laboratory results,
- is able to classify the soil based laboratory test results,
- is able to solve simple one dimensional water flow problems,
- is able to calculate soil compression for simple problems,
- is able to determine shear strength parameters of soils.
C. Attitudes
- is cooperative with the teacher in gaining new knowledge,
- is continuously expanding his/her knowledge through learning,
- strives for accurate task solving
D. Autonomy and Responsibility
- individually assesses geotechnical problems, as well as their solution based on given sources
- applies a systematic way of thinking
2.3 Methods
Lectures, practical and laboratory classes, and written communication.
2.4 Course outline
| Week | Topics of lectures and/or exercise classes |
| 1. | Composition of soils |
| 2. | Phase and mass relationships |
| 3. | Classification of coarse grained soils and corresponding laboratory tests |
| 4. | Classification of fine grained soils and corresponding laboratory tests |
| 5. | Calculation of stress distribution (static case) |
| 6. | Basic relationships of seepage |
| 7. | Calculation of stress distribution considering seepage |
| 8. | Laboratory determination of permeability coefficient |
| 9. | Deformation properties of soils |
| 10. | Time dependency of soil compression, theory of primary consolidation |
| 11. | Laboratory determination of deformation properties |
| 12. | Shear strength of soils, Mohr Coulomb failure criterion |
| 13. | Laboratory determination of shear strength parameters |
| 14. | Summary, overview |
The above programme is tentative and subject to changes due to calendar variations and other reasons specific to the actual semester. Consult the effective detailed course schedule of the course on the subject website.
2.5 Study materials
a) Textbooks:
- Mahler András: Soil mechanics
- Lecture notes
2.6 Other information
2.7 Consultation
This Subject Datasheet is valid for:
2024/2025 semester I
II. Subject requirements
Assessment and evaluation of the learning outcomes
3.1 General rules
The assessment of the learning outcomes specified in clause 2.2. above and the evaluation of student performance occurs via tests.
3.2 Assessment methods
| Evaluation form | Abbreviation | Assessed learning outcomes |
| 1. Midterm test | ZH1 | A.1-A.2; B.1-B.2; C.3; D.1-D.2 |
| 2. Midterm test | ZH2 | A.3; B.3; C.1-C.3; D.1-D.2 |
| 3. Midterm test | ZH3 | A.4-A.5; B.4-B.5; C.3; D.1-D.2 |
The dates of deadlines of assignments/homework can be found in the detailed course schedule on the subject’s website.
3.3 Evaluation system
| Abbreviation | Score |
| ZH1 | 30% |
| ZH2 | 30% |
| ZH3 | 40% |
| Sum | 100% |
3.4 Requirements and validity of signature
There is no signature for this subject.
3.5 Grading system
| Grade | Points (P) |
| excellent (5) | 80<=P |
| good (4) | 70<=P<80% |
| satisfactory (3) | 60<=P<70% |
| passed (2) | 50<=P<60% |
| failed (1) | P<50% |
3.6 Retake and repeat
In case of failing the retake there is a possibility for second retake of one midterm test – after the payment of the fee determinated in the regulation – in the supplementary period.
3.7 Estimated workload
| Activity | Hours/semester |
| Contact hours | 14×4=56 |
| Preparation for the courses | 14×2=28 |
| Preparation for the tests | 3×6=18 |
| Home studying of the written material | 18 |
| Sum | 120 |
3.8 Effective date
1 September 2022
This Subject Datasheet is valid for:
2024/2025 semester I