Soil Mechanics Coursework (CW) Brief 2019-20
Introduction
This brief provides a detailed breakdown of how to evidence the learning outcomes, guidance on how to present your presentation and the marking criteria.
Please take care to read through the whole brief and address each task in your submission.
Submission date
 There is a 24-hour late period. If you modify your submitted work in this period it will be classed as a late submission.
Submission format
The submission is via Blackboard, which is accessible from the sidebar on the module Blackboard page.
You must ALSO include a completed submission checklist as well as a self-reflection form as an appendix. A version of this is included at the end of this document.
It is acceptable to complete the work for each section in a word processor and upload the work as a .doc, .docx or .pdf file.
This submission will account for 25% of the soil mechanics final grade and the effort required is estimated around 5-7 hours or less.
UBGMUQ-15-2 – Soil mechanics Soil Mechanics Coursework Brief 2019-20

General assessment guidance
The following guidance has been developed based on previous submissions. It provides advice on general good practice for the presentation of work in both an academic and professional settings and will be used in line with the marking scheme.
1. All equations are to be typed via word equation editor.
2. Equations, figures (including graphs) and tables require numbering and a descriptive caption e.g. “Figure 1: Graph of particle size distribution”.
3. Graphs should include a title, axes’ titles, units and where applicable a legend and annotations.
4. Symbols in all equations/expressions presented must be explained in detail in the main text.
5. All figures and tables must be referred to in the main text, and briefly discussed in the main text, e.g. “Referring to Figure 1 the particle size distribution is that of a uniformly graded soil”. Discussion should not be included in the caption.
6. All numerical results must include units (with the exception of dimensionless values, e.g., specific gravity 𝐺𝑠).
7. Accurate results and clear demonstration of independent thought and application of your understanding.
8. All sources must be cited and reference using the UWE Bristol Harvard Referencing Style. (http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/referencing/uweharvard.aspx)

Marking criteria
There is (1) section in the submission and is marked out of 100.
Full marks are awarded for accuracy of results and where there is a clear demonstration of independent thought and application of your understanding, and for adherence to the general assessment guidance.

UBGMUQ-15-2 – Soil mechanics Soil Mechanics Coursework Brief 2019-20
Soil as a 3-Phase Material and Soil Classification (100 marks)
Dredging is the scooping up of soils from the bottom of the waterways for land reclamation purposes or to keep rivers, canals, basins and channels clear of underwater obstruction. Dredging is also a critical element where marine piling needs to be set in place to enable quick commencement of steelworks and civil engineering construction projects. A dredging project has been proposed by a local council to dredge X(m) long section of a 12m wide canal up to a depth of 1.8m to reclaim land for the construction of a recreation centre. The material pumped out of the canal is described by data obtained from a sieving and compaction test as shown in Table 1 and Table 2 respectively. If the in-situ unit weight of the soil at the bottom of the canal is 22kN/m3 and the soil material is being pumped at a rate of 0.3m3 per minute. Take the specific gravity of the soil grains as 2.7 and X as the last three digits of your student ID (SID) number. Take X = 450m if last 3digits of your SID number is less than 300

Table 1: Data obtained from a sieving test
Sieve no. Sieve size(mm) Mass Retained (g)
4 4.75 0
10 2.00 14.8
20 0.85 98
40 0.425 90.1
100 0.15 181.9
200 0.075 108.8
Pan – 6.1

Table 2: Raw data from a Standard Compaction Test (Proctor Test)
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
No.
Mass of mould and wet soil
𝑀𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 + 𝑀𝑤𝑒𝑡
(𝑔)
Mass of wet soil sample and disc
𝑚𝑤𝑒𝑡 + 𝑚𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐
(𝑔)
Mass of dry soil sample and disc
𝑚𝑑𝑟𝑦 + 𝑚𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐
(𝑔)
UBGMUQ-15-2 – Soil mechanics Soil Mechanics Coursework Brief 2019-20
4
1 2785 23.12 22.11
2 3059 25.69 24.25
3 3226 27.88 25.92
4 3283 22.19 20.65
5 3253 28.59 25.92
6 3199 24.75 22.41

Mass of mould 𝑀 = 1135 𝑔
Volume of mould 𝑉 = 1000 𝑚𝑙
Soil specific gravity 𝐺𝑠 = 2.70

TASK

1. Plot the particle size distribution (PSD) curve using data from Table 1. [15 marks]
2. Determine the uniformity coefficient and coefficient of gradation.
[10 marks]
3. Determine the textural composition of the soil (i.e., the amount of gravel, sand, etc.).
[10 marks]
4. Plot the Compaction Curve using data from Table 2 and determine the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content. [20 marks] 5. Determine the volume of soil to be removed (dredged) [5 marks]

6. Determine the operational hours required to complete the dredging activity. [35 marks]
7. Discuss briefly the suitability of the pumped material for the construction of the proposed recreation centre based on your results. [5 marks]
UBGMUQ-15-2 – Soil mechanics Soil Mechanics Coursework Brief 2019-20

REFERENCES Smith , I . ( 2014 ) . Smith’s elements of soil mechanics . John Wiley & Sons.
Craig, R.F and Knappett J. ( 2013 ) . Craig’s Soil Mechanics . CRC Press
UBGMUQ-15-2 – Soil mechanics Soil Mechanics Coursework Brief 2019-20
7
Self Reflection
Please use the box below to reflect on your own learning from this module:

Where:
1- Little or no understanding 2- Basic understanding and application 3- Good understanding, ease of application 4- Very good understanding 5- Excellent knowledge, comfort/confidence to apply this to further practical problems

Guideline Assessment Criteria and Grading Scheme: Technical Reports
% Descriptor Criteria
90-100
PASS Outstanding
An outstanding report will meet all aspects of the brief completely, and will also show some evidence of independent/innovative thought and/or critical analysis. Relevant methods will be stated clearly and be applied appropriately. All technical analysis will be correct. Key results will be presented clearly and concisely in the report and if necessary, supported by appendices with further details or calculations. The significance of the findings will be evaluated in a manner which meets the requirements of the brief and demonstrates an outstanding level of insight, originality and understanding of relevant theory and/or practice. Where appropriate there will be evidence of reading beyond the recommended texts. Conclusions will provide a concise synthesis in relation to the requirements of the brief and clear and appropriate recommendations will be given. The report will be written to the highest standards of literacy and professional presentation. References (in-text and references section) will conform precisely to UWE Harvard requirements.
80-89
PASS Exceptional
An exceptional report will meet all aspects of the brief. Relevant methods will be stated clearly and be applied appropriately. Technical analysis will be correct, with perhaps only very minor errors. Key results will be presented clearly and concisely in the report and if necessary, supported by appendices with further details or calculations. The significance of the findings will be evaluated in a manner which meets the requirements of the brief and demonstrates an exceptional level of insight, originality and understanding of relevant theory and/or practice. Where appropriate there will be evidence of reading beyond the recommended texts. Conclusions will provide a concise synthesis in relation to the requirements of the brief and clear and appropriate recommendations will be given. The report will be written to high standards of literacy and professional presentation. References (in-text and references section) will conform precisely to UWE Harvard requirements, with perhaps one or two minor errors.
Task Select from 1 to 5

70-79
PASS Excellent
An excellent report will meet all aspects of the brief. Relevant methods will be stated clearly and be applied appropriately. Technical analysis will be correct, with perhaps only very minor errors. Key results will be presented clearly and concisely in the report and if necessary, supported by appendices with further details or calculations. The significance of the findings will be evaluated in a manner which meets the requirements of the brief and demonstrates an excellent understanding of relevant theory and/or practice. Where appropriate there will be evidence of reading beyond the recommended texts. Conclusions will provide a concise synthesis in relation to the requirements of the brief and clear and appropriate recommendations will be given. The report will be written to high standards of literacy and professional presentation. References (in-text and references section) will conform precisely to UWE Harvard requirements, with perhaps one or two minor errors.
60-69
PASS 65-69%: Very good 60-64%: Good
A good /very good report will meet almost all aspects of the brief, although there might be some minor omissions of detail. Relevant methods will be clearly stated and generally applied well. Technical analysis will be largely correct. Key results will be presented clearly and concisely in the report and if necessary, supported by appendices with further details or calculations. The significance of the findings will be evaluated in a manner which largely meets the requirements of the brief and generally demonstrates a good understanding of relevant theory and/or practice. Where appropriate there will be some evidence of reading beyond the recommended texts. Conclusions will provide a concise synthesis in relation to the requirements of the brief and clear and appropriate recommendations will be given. The report will be clearly written and professionally presented. References (in-text and references section) will conform to UWE Harvard requirements, with perhaps only occasional minor errors.
50-59
PASS 55-59% Competent

50-54% Adequate
An adequate / competent report will meet most aspects of the brief. Relevant methods will be clearly stated and generally applied appropriately, although there may be some omissions. Key results will be presented clearly in the report and if necessary, supported by appendices with further details or calculations. The analysis of the significance of the findings must show sound/substantive understanding of relevant theory and/or practice, but there could be some misunderstanding, error or omission. Conclusions must provide a clear synthesis in relation to the brief and reasonable recommendations must be provided. The report must be clearly written and neatly presented. References (in-text and references section) must conform to UWE Harvard requirements, with perhaps only occasional minor errors.
40-49
PASS Weak
A weak report will meet more than half of the requirements of the brief. Relevant methods will be stated and generally applied appropriately, although there may be omissions and/or errors. Key results will be presented in the report and if necessary, supported by appendices with further details or calculations. The analysis of the significance of the findings must show adequate understanding of relevant theory and/or practice, but there could be some misunderstanding, error or omission. Conclusions must provide a synthesis in relation to the brief and some recommendations should be provided. The report must be comprehensible and neatly presented. References (in-text and references section) must largely conform to UWE Harvard requirements.
35-39
FAIL Poor
A poor report could be largely incomplete, be missing key aspects of the brief, or perhaps be characterised by an excessive number of errors in the technical analysis. Results could be poorly or partially presented and may be lacking in supporting appendices. There could be a lack of evaluation of the significance of the findings or this may be poor or superficial. Conclusions and/or recommendations could be lacking, superficial or inappropriate. Levels of literacy, presentation and referencing may be poor.
25-34
FAIL Very poor
A very poor report does not meet the substantive aspects of the brief, and is likely to be a partial submission and/or a completely inappropriate/incorrect application of methods. Presentation of results could be inadequate or confusing and results are not likely to be supported by relevant appendices. There could be little, if any attempt to demonstrate understanding of results. Conclusions and/or recommendations may be very weak or absent. Levels of literacy, presentation and referencing may be poor.
15-24
FAIL Extremely poor
An extremely poor report is unacceptable in every respect. Likely to be a partial submission.
0-14 FAIL Inadequate An inadequate report is unacceptable in every respect. Clearly a partial submission and lacking substantive content.