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Advanced Course in Slope, Seepage and Foundation Analysis
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Brief Description
The Advanced Course in Slope, Seepage and Foundation Analysis will expand your knowledge of analytical methods as a civil engineer or engineering geology practitioner and equip you with practical techniques incorporated in modern commercial software packages specifically used in the geotechnical stability analysis of slopes and walls, as well as seepage and consolidation analysis. 
The course goes beyond the introduction of the initial finite element method and provides you with a more in-depth overview of elasticity, upper and lower bound plasticity methods, limit equilibrium methods (with a strong focus on slope stability) and finite difference solutions for seepage and consolidation analysis...
Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing this course, you should:
Have a basic understanding of the principles of elasticity which includes knowledge of
  • Hooks law
  • elastic material parameters
  • elasticity in one, two and three dimensions
  • isotropy and anisotropy
  • plane-strain, radial symmetry and 3D conditions
Have a basic understanding of the principles of plasticity which includes knowledge of
  • yield criteria (Mohr-Coulomb, von Mises, Tresca, Drucker Prager)
  • associated and non-associated flow rules
  • hardening laws (perfectly plastic, strain hardening and strain softening materials)
Have a basic understanding of the principles of plastic limit analysis, i.e.
  • the theorems of plastic collapse
  • upper bound analysis using plastic mechanisms and virtual work principles
  • lower bound analysis using stress discontinuities and stress rotation using Mohr circles
  • requirements for an exact solution
  • introduction to slip line theory
Have a basic understanding of the principles of limit equilibrium analysis
  • understand the principle of limit equilibrium
  • be able to solve boundary value problems using limit equilibrium analysis
  • know the range of limit equilibrium methods for slope stability analysis incorporated into many software packages and their respective assumptions and shortcomings
  • understand the principles of enhanced limit equilibrium analysis using numerical analysis.
  • understand the principles of the strength reduction technique for geotechnical stability analysis using numerical analysis
Have an understanding, and the ability to implement in a spreadsheet, finite difference techniques for the solution of 
  • consolidation problems
  • seepage problems
Course Content
Introduction to elasticity and plasticity in Geotechnical Engineering. Upper and lower bound plasticity methods in Geotechnical Engineering. Limit equilibrium methods in Geotechnical Engineering with a focus on slope stability analysis. Finite difference seepage and consolidation analysis.
Entry Requirements
Prospective delegates should ideally hold a degree in civil engineering or engineering geology, with undergraduate knowledge of soil mechanics.

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Course Number:
P005768
Catalogue and Category:
Engineering and Technology Management
Who Should attend:
This course is ideal for you if you are
  • a postgraduate student studying towards your Honours Degree in Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Pretoria
  • a civil engineering or engineering geology graduate who has completed undergraduate courses in soil mechanics
  • a senior engineer interested in improving your knowledge of geotechnical analytical methods, or
  • an engineer who wishes to expand your background in the analytical techniques covered in the course.
Delivery Mode:
Contact Sessions
Contact Days:
2

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