Soil Engineering Course Code: 4340602

GUJARAT TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY (GTU)

Competency-focused Outcome-based Green Curriculum-2021 (COGC-2021)

Semester-IV

Course Title: Soil Engineering

(Course Code: 4340602)

Diploma programme in which this course is offered Semester in which offered

Civil Engineering 4th Semester

1. RATIONALE
After learning Mechanics of deformable bodies and Hydraulics in 3rd semester, this subject
"Soil Engineering" is introduced in 4th semester, as it deals with the natural material "Soil"
whose behavior is somewhat intermediate between solids and fluids. Soil Engineering
involves study of Soil, its behavior and application as an engineering material. Design of
foundation of building, dams, towers, embankments, roads, railways, retaining wall, bridges
is mainly governed by characteristics and behavior of Soil, hence this subject is very
important for civil engineering students.

2. COMPETENCY
The purpose of this course is to help the student to attain the following industry identified
competency through various teaching learning experiences:
● Evaluate and interpret test results for selection of proper Soil as a construction
material and as a strata for foundation.

3. COURSE OUTCOMES (COs)

The practical exercises, the underpinning knowledge and the relevant soft skills associated
with the identified competency are to be developed in the student for the achievement of
the following COs:
a) Identify types of Soil according to mode of deposition and mode of transportation.
b) Determine the physical and index properties of soil to estimate behaviour and other
important engineering properties for given construction activities.
c) Classify coarse grained and fine grained soil by IS method
d) Determine Coefficient of permeability and shear parameters of soil and apply results
in foundation analysis and other construction activities.
e) Determine O.M.C. and M.D.D. values of soil and select suitable method of soil
stabilization.
f) Compute bearing capacity of soil and earth pressure and interpret results.

4. TEACHING AND EXAMINATION SCHEME

Teaching Scheme Total Credits Examination Scheme
(In Hours) (L+T+P/2) Theory Marks Practical Marks Total
L T P C CA ESE CA ESE Marks
3 0 2 4 30* 70 25 25 150

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Soil Engineering Course Code: 4340602

(*):Out of 30 marks under the theory CA, 10 marks are for assessment of the micro-project to
facilitate integration of COs and the remaining 20 marks is the average of 2 tests to be taken
during the semester for the assessing the attainment of the cognitive domain UOs required
for the attainment of the COs.
Legends: L-Lecture; T – Tutorial/Teacher Guided Theory Practice; P -Practical; C – Credit, CA -
Continuous Assessment; ESE -End Semester Examination.

5. SUGGESTED PRACTICAL EXERCISES

The following practical outcomes (PrOs) are the subcomponents of the COs. Some of the
PrOs marked ‘*’ are compulsory, as they are crucial for that particular CO at the ‘Precision
Level’ of Dave’s Taxonomy related to ‘Psychomotor Domain’.
Approx.
Sr. Unit
Practical Outcomes (PrOs) Hrs.
No. No.
required
1 Determine moisture content of soil by oven drying method I 02*

2 Determine field density and dry density of soil by Core cutter I 02*
method
3 Determine field density and dry density of soil by Sand I 02*
replacement method
4 Determine specific gravity of soil by pycnometer/density bottle I 02*

5 Classification of soil by sieve analysis method II 04*

6 Determine Liquid limit, Plastic limit and Shrinkage limit of soil III,IV 04*

7 Determine Permeability of soil by constant head method III,IV 02*

8 Determine Permeability of soil by falling head method V 02*

9 Determine Shear parameters of soil by Direct Shear test VI 04*

10 Determine OMC & MDD of soil by standard proctor test [Light VII 04*
compaction Test]
Total hours 28 Hrs.
Note
i. More Practical Exercises can be designed and offered by the respective course teacher to
develop the industry relevant skills/outcomes to match the COs. The above table is only a
suggestive list.
ii. The following are some sample ‘Process’ and ‘Product’ related skills(more may be
added/deleted depending on the course) that occur in the above listed Practical Exercises
of this course required which are embedded in the COs and ultimately the competency.

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Soil Engineering Course Code: 4340602

Sr. No. Sample Performance Indicators for the PrOs Weightage in %

1 Identify components 10
2 Prepare experimental setup. 20
3 Operate the equipment setup. 20
4 Follow safe practices . 10
5 Record observations correctly. 20
6 Interpret the result and conclude. 20
Total 100

6. MAJOR EQUIPMENT/ INSTRUMENTS REQUIRED

This major equipment with broad specifications for the PrOs is a guide to procure them by
the administrators to usher in uniformity of practicals in all institutions across the state.

Sr. PrO. No.

Equipment Name with Broad Specifications
No.
1 Assembly of Core cutter for In-situ density determination. 02
2 Assembly of Sand replacement for In-situ density determination. 03
3 Sieve set & sieve shaker for mechanical analysis of soil. 05
4 Standard Proctor test apparatus for OMC & MDD determination 10
of soil.
5 Density bottles/ Pycnometer for specific gravity determination. 04
6 Direct shear test apparatus. 09
7 Permeability test apparatus for constant water head. 07
8 Permeability test apparatus for falling water head. 08
9 Casagrande apparatus for Liquid limit determination. 06
10 Shrinkage Limit test apparatus. 06
11 Hot air oven with temperature control 01 to 10
12 Electronic weighing balance. 01 to 10

7. AFFECTIVE DOMAIN OUTCOMES

The following sample Affective Domain Outcomes (ADOs) are embedded in many of the
above mentioned COs and PrOs. More could be added to fulfill the development of this
competency.
a) Work as a leader/a team member.
b) Follow safety practices while using equipment.
c) Realize importance of green energy. (Environment related)

The ADOs are best developed through the laboratory/field based exercises. Moreover, the
level of achievement of the ADOs according to Krathwohl’s ‘Affective Domain Taxonomy’
should gradually increase as planned below:

i. ‘Valuing Level’ in 1st year

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Soil Engineering Course Code: 4340602

ii. ‘Organization Level’ in 2nd year.

iii. ‘Characterization Level’ in 3rd year.
8. UNDERPINNING THEORY
The major underpinning theory is given below based on the higher level UOs of Revised
Bloom’s taxonomy that are formulated for development of the COs and competency. If
required, more such higher level UOs could be included by the course teacher to focus on
attainment of COs and competency.
Unit Unit Outcomes (UOs) Topics and Sub-topics
(4 to 6 UOs at different levels)
1a. Identify the types of soil 1.1 Definition of Soil, Soil Mechanics, Soil
Unit – I according to mode of Engineering, Importance of Soil
Overview of engineering
deposition and mode of
Soil 1.2 History of Soil Engineering
transportation
Engineering 1.3 Soil formation in Geological cycle
1b. Identify structures where soil 1.4 List of Structures where soil is used as
is used as construction construction material
material 1.5 Types of Soil according to mode of
1c. Identify structures where soil Transportation
is used as a strata/foundation 1.6 Major Soil deposits of India
to safely bear loads.
1d. Locate the major soil deposits
in India.

2a. Identify physical and index 2.1. Soil as a three phase system,
Unit – II properties of soil and their assumptions for drawing two phase &
Physical and relevance with important three phase diagrams,
Index engineering properties. 2.2. Fundamental definitions of physical
properties of 2b. Interpret two and three phase properties- Water content, Bulk
Soil of soil from given conditions. density, Dry density, Saturated density,
2c. Derive interrelationships Submerged density, Density of solids,
among different properties of Specific gravity-Absolute & Mass
soil from phase diagrams. specific gravity, void ratio, porosity,
2d. Perform tests for Degree of saturation, Air content,
determining properties of soil Percentage air voids, Relative density
using relevant IS Code and 2.3. Derivation of following relations from
interpret test results phase diagrams and numericals on
2e. Calculate physical properties each :
of soil from given data using 2.3.1 e= n/n-1, n=e/1+e
interrelationships 2.3.2 w×G =e×sr
2.3.3 ϒd=ϒb/1+w
2.3.4 ϒd=ϒb/1+w
2.3.5 ϒsat= (G+e)ϒw/(1+e)
2.3.6 ϒsub=(G-1)ϒw/(1+e)
2.3.7 ϒd= G ϒw/1+e
2.4. Methods to determine moisture
content of soil.
2.5. Determination of Bulk & Dry density

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Soil Engineering Course Code: 4340602

Unit Unit Outcomes (UOs) Topics and Sub-topics

(4 to 6 UOs at different levels)
of soil by Core Cutter method and
Sand Replacement method.
2.6. Determination of Specific Gravity of
soil by pycnometer.
3a. Use different methods of 3.1 Classification of soil as per grain size by
Classification. IS method. Basic criteria of
3b. Interpret the particle size classification of soils.
Unit– III distribution curve for given 3.2 Difference between coarse grained
soil samples. and fine grained soil on the basis of
Classification 3c. Analyse fine grained Soil their size and engineering properties.
of Soil based on Consistency Limits. Mechanical Analysis of coarse grained
3d. Classify given soil samples by soil. Sedimentation analysis of fine
IS method. grained soil.
3.3 Particle size distribution curve. Nature
of various grading Curves. Coefficients
of uniformity and curvature.
3.4 Classification of soil on the basis of
plasticity. Atterberg’s limits of
consistency: Liquid limit, plastic limit
and shrinkage limit. Plasticity index,
Liquidity Index and Consistency Index.
3.5 Determination of Liquid limit, Plastic
limit and Shrinkage limit as per IS.
4a. Identify the factors affecting 4.1 Definition of permeability, permeable
Unit– IV the permeability for a given and impermeable soil, Darcy’s law of
Permeability type of soil sample. permeability.
and Seepage 4b. Compute coefficient of 4.2 Factors affecting the permeability of
Permeability for given type of soil. Coefficient of permeability,
soil sample. Difference between flow through pipe
4c. Interpret the concept of and flow through soil.
seepage pressure. 4.3 Laboratory Methods to determine
Coefficient of Permeability- Constant
Head Method and Falling Head
method.
4.4 Field methods to determine Coefficient
of Permeability: Pumping-out tests and
Pumping-in tests.
4.5 Definition of Seepage and seepage
pressure. Quick sand condition. Types
of flow net. Characteristics and
application of flow net.

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Soil Engineering Course Code: 4340602

Unit Unit Outcomes (UOs) Topics and Sub-topics

(4 to 6 UOs at different levels)
Unit– V 5a. Apply the principle of 5.1 Concept of compaction and its effect
Compaction Compaction and choose the on various soil properties like density,
and method of compaction for permeability, shear strength & bearing
Stabilization different soils. capacity.
of Soil 5b. Differentiate phenomenon of 5.2 Factors affecting compaction like water
compaction from content, types of soil, nature of soil,
consolidation of soil. method of compaction, admixtures.
5c. Determine optimum moisture 5.3 Optimum moisture content (O.M.C)
content and maximum dry and maximum dry density (M.D.D.) by
density of soil in the IS standard compaction test- Light and
laboratory. Heavy compaction test( Proctor Test).
5d. Suggest suitable method of Standard compaction curves.
Soil stabilization for ground 5.4 Method of field compaction. Various
improvement in a given compaction equipment, role of O.M.C.
situation. in field.
5.5 Concept and requirements of soil
stabilization. Different methods of soil
stabilization–Mechanical soil
stabilization and Chemical soil
stabilization (Use of cement, lime, fly
ash, bitumen ). Use of Geo-Synthetic as
a stabilizing material.
5.6 Necessity of site investigation and sub
soil exploration. Types and purpose of
exploration. Basic field identification
test of soil.
6a. Interpret various shear 6.1 Cohesion, Angle of internal friction,
Unit– VI parameters of soil. shear strength.
Shear Strength 6b. Compute shear strength of 6.2 Coulomb's law for shear strength.
of Soil soil for given condition. 6.3 Different methods to find shear
6c. Identify shear failure of soil in strength of soil in the laboratory.
various situations. Procedure to find shear strength using
Box shear test.
6.4 Types of soil- C-soil, ø-soil and C-ø soil.
Mohr’s circle method to find shear
envelope and shear strength
parameters.
Unit– VII 7a Identify the factors affecting 7.1 Concept of bearing capacity. Types of
Bearing Bearing Capacity of soil. Bearing capacity- Ultimate bearing
capacity of 7b Determine bearing capacity of capacity, Safe bearing capacity, Net
Soil and Earth different soils. bearing capacity and Allowable bearing
Pressure 7c Suggest type of foundation pressure. Influence of water table on
for the given situation of soil. bearing capacity.
7d Calculate earth pressure by 7.2 I.S. method to determine bearing
Rankine’s formula. capacity of soils. Different theoretical

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Soil Engineering Course Code: 4340602

Unit Unit Outcomes (UOs) Topics and Sub-topics

(4 to 6 UOs at different levels)
methods to determine bearing capacity
of soils. Introduction to Terzaghi’s
analysis. Assumptions and limitations
of Terzaghi’s theory. Different field
methods for determination of bearing
capacity – Plate load Test and Standard
Penetration Test.
7.3 Different types of footings. Types of
shear failure of footings. Methods to
improve bearing capacity of soils.
7.4 Define Earth Pressure. Active and
passive earth pressure for no surcharge
condition. Rankine’s formula to
determine coefficient of earth
pressure.
7.5 Liquefaction: Definition, Causes, Effect
and Remedy of Liquefaction.

9. SUGGESTED SPECIFICATION TABLE FOR QUESTION PAPER DESIGN

Unit Unit Title Teaching Distribution of Theory Marks

No. Hours R U A Total
Level Level Level Marks
I Over view of soil engineering 02 02 02 00 04
II Physical and Index properties of soil 08 02 04 06 12
III Classification of Soil 06 02 02 06 10
IV Permeability and Seepage 06 02 02 06 10
V Compaction and Stabilization of Soil 08 02 04 08 14
VI Shear Strength of Soil 06 02 02 06 10
VII Bearing Capacity ofSoil and Earth 06 02 02 06 10
Pressure
Total 42 14 20 36 70
Legends: R=Remember, U=Understand, A=Apply and above (Revised Bloom’s taxonomy)
Note: This specification table provides general guidelines to assist student for their learning
and to teachers to teach and question paper designers/setters to formulate test
items/questions to assess the attainment of the UOs. The actual distribution of marks at
different taxonomy levels (of R, U and A) in the question paper may slightly vary from above
table.

10. SUGGESTED STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Other than the classroom and laboratory learning, following are the suggested student-
related co-curricular activities which can be undertaken to accelerate the attainment of the
various outcomes in this course: Students should conduct following activities in group and

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Soil Engineering Course Code: 4340602

prepare reports of about 5 pages for each activity, also collect/record physical evidences for
their (student’s) portfolio which will be useful for their placement interviews:

a) Collect different photographs of a nearby soil deposit by natural formation.

b) Collect the photographs of different types of footings/foundations being constructed
nearby with their primary details.
c) Collect different photographs of structural members where compaction of soil is
being done before construction.
d) Collect the photographs of five different types of soil wrt classification of soil.
e) Collect the information with photographs of structural failure due to issue of soil
stability.
f) Collect the information with photographs of soil improvement by different methods
available in field.
g) Collect the information with photographs of structural members having excessive
settlement of soil nearby.
h) Collect the information with photographs of failure of soil due to liquefaction.
i) Collect the information with photographs of different geo-synthetics.

11. SUGGESTED SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES (if any)

These are sample strategies, which the teacher can use to accelerate the attainment of the
various outcomes in this course:
a) Massive open online courses (MOOCs) may be used to teach various topics/sub
topics.
b) Guide student(s) in undertaking micro-projects.
c) ‘L’ in section No. 4 means different types of teaching methods that are to be
employed by teachers to develop the outcomes.
d) About 20% of the topics/sub-topics which are relatively simpler or descriptive in
nature is to be given to the students for self-learning, but to be assessed using
different assessment methods.
e) With respect to section No.10, teachers need to ensure to create opportunities and
provisions for co-curricular activities.
f) Guide students on how to address issues on environment and sustainability.
g) Guide students for using data manuals.

12. SUGGESTED MICRO-PROJECTS

Only one micro-project is planned to be undertaken by a student that needs to be assigned
to him/her in the beginning of the semester. In the first four semester, the micro-projects
are group-based (group of 3 to 5). However, in the fifth and sixth semesters, the number of
students in the group should not exceed three.

The micro-project could be field application based, internet-based, workshop-based,

laboratory-based or theory based. Each micro-project should encompass two or more COs
which are in fact, an integration of PrOs, UOs and ADOs. Each student will have to maintain
dated work diary consisting of individual contribution in the project work and give a seminar
presentation of it before submission. The duration of the micro-project should be about 14-
16 (fourteen to sixteen) student engagement hours during the course. The students ought
to submit micro-project by the end of the semester to develop the industry-oriented COs.

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Soil Engineering Course Code: 4340602

A suggestive list of micro-projects is given here. This has to match the

competency and the COs. Similar micro-projects could be added by the concerned course
teacher:
a) Determine void ratio of soil by performing necessary tests in the laboratory.
b) Compare specific gravity of fine grained soil, coarse grained soil and Aggregate.
c) Compare OMC and MDD values of two different types of soil available nearby.
d) Prepare spreadsheet or computer program to calculate the OMC and MDD of
given soil sample by standard compaction method.
e) Prepare spreadsheet or computer program to determine type of soil using
particle size distribution curve and mechanical sieve analysis.
f) Prepare spreadsheet or computer program to determine Liquid Limit and Plastic
Limit of given soil sample.
g) Compare coefficient of permeability values of two different types of soil available
nearby.
h) Classify the soil from one source by performing necessary tests in the laboratory.
i) Prepare spreadsheet or computer program to calculate shear parameters of soil
by performing direct shear test in the laboratory.
j) Prepare a working model of liquefaction of soil.
k) Calculate Bearing Capacity of Soil performing necessary tests in the laboratory.
l) Prepare and Compare working models of embankment filling with and without
geo-synthetics.

13. SUGGESTED LEARNING RESOURCES

Sr. Publication with place, year and

Title of Book Author
No. ISBN
1 Soil Mechanics and Dr. [Link] Laxmi Publications Pvt. Ltd.
Foundations NewDelhi
ISBN: 81-700-808-19
2 Soil mechanics and Dr. [Link] Standard Book House, New Delhi
Foundation Engineering ISBN: 978-81-89401-30-6
3 Soil Mechanics and [Link] Khanna Publishers, Delhi
Foundation Engineering ISBN: 81-7409-104-1
4 Soil Mechanics and Dr. K.R. Arora Standard Publishers
Foundation engineering ISBN-13: 978-8180141126

5 A Textbook of Soil Murthy V.N.S. CBS Publishers & Distributors Pvt.

Mechanics and Ltd., New Delhi
Foundation Engineering ISBN : 9788123913629

14. SOFTWARE/LEARNING WEBSITES

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Soil Engineering Course Code: 4340602

a) NPTEL Course :-Soil Mechanics by IIT, Guwahati

[Link]
b) NCTEL Video series for Soil Mechanics laboratory Tests :
[Link]
c) Virtual Lab by Ministry of Education, Government of India [Link]

15. PO-COMPETENCY-CO MAPPING

Soil Engineering
Semester III
(Course Code: 4340602)
POs
PO 1 Basic PO 2 PO 3 Design/ PO 4 Engineering PO 5 PO 6 Project PO 7
& Discipline Problem development Tools, Engineering Management Life-long
Competency
specific Analysis of solutions Experimentation practices for learning
& Course Outcomes
knowledge &Testing society,
sustainability
&
environment

Competency Evaluate and interpret test results for selection of proper soil as a construction material and
as a strata for foundation.
Course Outcomes
COa) Identify types of
Soil according to
mode of
deposition and 3 - - - 2 - 2
mode of
transportation.

COb) Determine
the physical and
index properties
of soil to
estimate
behaviour and
other important 2 3 - 3 2 2 2
engineering
properties for
given
construction
activities.

COc) Classify coarse

grained and fine
grained soil by IS 2 3 - 3 2 2 2
method
COd) Determine
Coefficient of
permeability and
shear
parameters of
soil and apply 2 3 - 3 2 2 2
results in
foundation
analysis and
other
construction

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Soil Engineering Course Code: 4340602

activities.

COe)Determine
O.M.C. and
M.D.D. values of
soil and select
suitable method
2 3 - 3 2 2 2
of soil
stabilization.

COf) Compute
bearing capacity
of soil and earth
pressure and 2 3 - - 2 2 2
interpret results

Legend: ‘3’ for high, ‘2’ for medium, ‘1’ for low and ‘-’ for no correlation of each CO with PO.

16. COURSE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

GTU Resource Persons

Sr. Contact
Name and Designation Institute Email
No. No.
1. Shri P.V. Rayjada, HOD L.E. College 9824281646 satwikpr@[Link]
Applied Mechanics (Diploma), Morbi

2. Dr. [Link], Sr. Lecturer [Link] 9429048253 jiteshboza@[Link]

Applied Mechanics

3. Ms. Bhruguli H. Gandhi, R.C.T.I, Ahmedabad 9099076555 bhruguli@[Link]

Sr. Lecturer Applied
Mechanics

4. Shri [Link], G.P. Rajkot 9825764005 sharadkondhiya@[Link]

Sr. Lecturer Applied
Mechanics
5. Shri R.R. Makwana, L.E. College 9824128087 [Link]@[Link]
Sr. Lecturer Applied (Diploma), Morbi
Mechanics

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