Geotechnics
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DepartmentFaculty of Civil Engineering
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Program code6211EX038
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Field of studyEngineering
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QualificationMaster of Engineering Sciences
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Duration2
About
Geotechnical Engineering
| Degree | Master of Engineering Sciences |
| Length | 2 years (4 semesters) |
| Study language | Lithuanian |
| Start | 1st of September |
| Entry Qualification | To this programme applicants are accepted from the fields of Civil Engineering. |
Research into geotechnical engineering cover the investigated and assessed geotechnical conditions at the construction site. The design of geotechnical engineering ensures the durability of the new structures. Geotechnical construction indicates the most appropriate technologies of construction work, including the evaluation of the environmental impact. These are the issues solved by a specialist in Geotechnical Engineering.
The Master’s degree programme in Geotechnical Engineering is aimed at training specialists capable of formulating geotechnical engineering tasks and selecting the most appropriate solution methods for building the above-ground structures, bridge foundations and assessing the interaction of the foundations with the above-ground part. The structures include retaining walls, slopes, embankments, the foundations of roads and railways.
The students of the Master’s degree programme in Geotechnical Engineering study and analyse the geotechnical mechanical and physical properties of the soil base and look for optimal solutions to strengthening geotechnical structures and soil foundations.
The study programme is focused of preparing specialists in Geotechnical Engineering having the latest knowledge and skills and capable of solving geotechnical (geotechnical construction) problems such as determining necessary geotechnical parameters (new construction, reconstruction, artificial foundations) and formulating research goals.
The study programme also concentrates on teaching the students to plan and perform experiments on achieving the defined goals, including the application of recent methods for the research and design of geotechnical structures and the analysis and summary of research findings.
Learning outcomes
The Master's degree programme in Geotechnical Engineering is designed:
- to apply knowledge and solve the challenges of geotechnical science and practice frequently having incomplete information and insufficient data;
- to develop and apply original ideas of calculating or conducting research on foundations and geotechnical structures;
- to create and advance geotechnical structures in the interaction between the above-ground structure, base and foundations;
- to identify and assess new geotechnical issues, anticipate possible alternative solutions to the encountered problems and apply a theoretical knowledge of construction and related scientific fields;
- to interpret the data obtained from laboratory tests, observations and measurements of construction processes in terms of relevance and explanatory theories.
Career opportunities may include:
- working for the contractors or subcontractors of geotechnical surveys, structures, bridges, roads and railways;
- working for design and expertise companies;
- work on developing new and improving the available geotechnical structures, products and accessories to be used for geotechnical construction and sold to customers;
- working for municipalities and state institutions monitoring the construction of infrastructure objects;
- studying a Doctoral degree programme in geotechnics, roads, railway, civil, geology, etc. engineering.
Study subjects
1 Semester
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STGGM17230 12 credits
Soil Strength and Deformation (with Course Project)
Module aim
Knowledge on mechanical properties of different soils and that on application of relevant methods of determining them. Skills on choosing and determining relevant properties of deformable soils according response peculiarities of deformable soils.
Module description
Obtain knowledge to choose and identify relevant mechanical properties of soils under loading. Skills to determine engineering problems and that of choosing their solution methods. Understanding of theoretical background of new technologies for soil investigation.
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STGGM17228 6 credits
Soils Dynamics (with course project)
Module aim
To introduce with the geotechnical geological properties and loading types interaction between their interaction effects.
Module description
Soil dynamics evaluation is based according to design norms and principles. Evaluation of the foundations base according to geotechnical conditions and loading type. Selection of the rational foundation type.
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STMEM17132 6 credits
Computer Aided Design of Structures
Module aim
To teach to apply computer methods in linear and nonlinear analysis works
Module description
Modern computer techniques and design methods. Fundamentals of finite elements method. Introduction to structural modeling and analysis software (structural analysis program RFEM is recommended). Structural modeling using beam, plate and solid finite elements. Peculiarities of simplified modeling of building foundations. Interaction modeling between structure and foundation. Static stress-strain analysis of structural elements. Computer aided design of load-bearing structures (beams, slabs, columns, etc.). Structural analysis of natural vibrations. Dynamic analysis and structural response to forced vibrations. Parametric analysis of computation variables. Implementation of the project work.
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STGSM17122 3 credits
Fundamentals of Research and Innovation
Module aim
To enable students to effectively and purposefully apply the knowledge and abilities required for the development of scientific research and innovation.
Module description
It is a set of theoretical and practical knowledge that helps to understand the goals, tasks and main methods of scientific research and innovative activities in the field of construction. It is important to know the process of creating innovations and the commercialization of innovations, the protection of intellectual property. The subject includes the application of mathematical modeling and experimental activity methods in solving construction science problems, data collection and processing methods. It is important to understand the role of mathematical statistics and probabilistic modeling in the research process. Students will benefit from the methods of planning experiments, operations research, and statistical quality control when conducting scientific work. Construction students are given general knowledge about the methods of assessing and ensuring the reliability of construction objects. The subject also includes methods of risk assessment and management of industrial objects and methods of group creativity.
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STGGM17229 3 credits
Research Work 1
Module aim
Final corrections of research plan. Starting to perform setted investigations.
Module description
Performed primary analytical/experimental investigations, calculations and analysis. Creating final research plan, starting experimental and numerical investigations.
2 Semester
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STGGM17233 9 credits
Computer Aided Design Systems in Geotechnical Engineering (with Course Project)
Module aim
By using Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems, the ability to apply theoretical knowledge for geotechnical engineering. To provide with knowledge enabling students to use CAD systems in geotechnical engineering. precisely evaluate and prepare initial data, ability to competently assess calculation results.
Module description
Application of computer solutions to geotechnical engineering problems.Ability to apply computer aided design systems (CAD) for design of geotechnical structures.
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STGGM17232 9 credits
Soil Stress-Strain State (with Course Project)
Module aim
Introducing with basement evaluation methods of stress and strain state adequate to actual its response.
Module description
Skills to choose the adequate design sheme and mathematical model for analysis of geotechnical situation.
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STGGM17234 6 credits
Soil Filtration and Consolidation
Module aim
Assimmilate theories of soil filtration and consolidation and their practical application in geotechnical practice.
Module description
Theory of soil permeability. Parameters of soil permeability. Theory of soil consolidation. Parameters of soil consolidation:
coefficient of consolidation, degree of consolidation, time factor, drainage path. Pore pressure distribution and pore pressure
dissipation. Overconsolidation ratio. -
STGSM17124 3 credits
Risk and Reliability Geotechnical Engineering
Module aim
To provide knowledge and skills in assessing reliability of geotechnical objects and risk posed by them as well as making design decisions on the basis of this assessing.
Module description
Failures of geotechnical objects and risk posed by these failures. The problem of reliability in geotechnical engineering. Procedures of risk analysis and reliability assessment. Data used for assessing risk and reliability. Probabilistic simulation of soil properties and parameters of geotechnical structures. Monte Carlo simulation for reliability based analysis of geotechnical objects. Applying methods of Bayesian statistical theory to assessing risk and reliability of geotechnical objects. The problem of acceptable risk and tolerable failure probability.
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STGGM17231 3 credits
Research Work 2
Module aim
Processing of obtained material: filling, concluding, formulation of primary conclusions and recommendations.
Module description
Processing experimental and/or numerical investigation data. Obtained results compared with the ones of other resarchers investigations given in scientific publications. Obtained rezults analyzed, generalized, primary conclusions presented.
3 Semester
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STGGM17237 9 credits
Soil-Structure Interaction for Deep Foundation (with Course Project)
Module aim
Study various calculation methods for design of deep foundations. Study design of a pile in compression from static load test results. Study design of a pile in compression from in situ test results. Study design of a pile in compression from laboratory test results. Study design of a pile subject to downdrag and other points of working programme.
Module description
Knowledge of deep foundation calculation methods, technologies and quality control methods.
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STGGM17236 6 credits
Soil-Structure Interaction for Shallow Foundation
Module aim
Get theoretical and practical knowledge about calculation methods of shallow foundations. Learn to design shallow foundations by various methods and in difficult geotechnical conditions. Being able to analyze the obtained results.
Module description
To be able to design of the shallow foundations by applying different calculation methods, to assess the common work in conjunction with other structures.
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STGGM17238 6 credits
Pressure on Underground Structures, Retaining Walls and Anchors (with Course Project)
Module aim
To prime about design of underground retaining wall and anchors structures.
Module description
To know and understand the methods to calculate actions on underground structures and select their design methods.
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STGGM17239 3 credits
Research Work 3
Module aim
Processing of obtained material: filling, concluding, formulation of primary conclusions and recommendations.
Module description
Processing experimental and/or numerical investigation data. Obtained results compared with the ones of other resarchers investigations given in scientific publications. Obtained rezults analyzed, generalized, primary conclusions presented.
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STGGM17134 6 credits
Durability and Probability Analysis of Building Structures
Module aim
To train students to analyze, evaluate and forecast durability of construction works. To train students to determine reliability of safety and serviceability of members in design and in evaluation of members in service
Module description
Knowledge about obsolescence (destruction) of building materials and structures in aggressive environmental conditions, their protection against corrosion and possibilities of durability prediction is provided. Capability in reliability calculation and practical application in design, tests and investigations of members of construction works.
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STGGM17235 6 credits
Slope Stability Analysis and Stabilization
Module aim
Analysis of slope limit states, evaluation of bearing capacity, including application of stabilization techniques.
Module description
Knowledge of the rocks and soils geotechnical properties, that of properties of the natural and anthropogenic change, that of unconfined underground water conditions, that of dynamics and chemical processes.
4 Semester
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STGGM17240 30 credits
Master Graduation Thesis
Module aim
Systeming and valuationof performed work, preparing final conclusions and recommendations, preparing the work for defense at State commission.
Module description
Analysis of obtained results, generalization of final conclusions, preparing work for defending.
Statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrolled students | 6 |
| Enrolled to FT | 6 |
| Min FT grade | 8.48 |