Programmes - HKU SPACE Community College
CEF Course

Certificate for Module (Soil Mechanics)

Programme Code: CP 108 37622307 alex.kwan@hkuspace.hku.hk

Course Code: CP108

micro

Microcredential Course

Programme Code: CP108A
Medium of Instruction: English
Course Fee: HKD $6300
​Application Fee: HKD $150

Course Introduction

The programme aims at introducing fundamental description and the classification of soils; mechanical concepts including the effective stress concept, strength of soils, consolidation, settlement and testing procedures.

Course Details

On completion of the programme, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the basic principles of elasticity and key parameters pertaining to measurement of soil strength and deformation;
  2. Describe the nature and classification of soils and quantities pertaining to soil;
  3. Identify the application and limitations of common soil mechanics experiments;
  4. Analyse elementary geotechnical problems using the effective stress concept.

Syllabus

1. Introduction to soil mechanics
  • Overview
  • Introduction to the concept of critical state
2. Mechanical properties
  • Void ratio, porosity, degree of saturation
  • Mass relationships: water content, bulk density, specific gravity and relative density
3. Soil phase
  • Weathering
  • Classification of soils
4. Soil description
  • Soil testing, classification and analyses
  • Colours, mass characteristics, particle size analysis, grading curves, effective grain size and uniformity coefficient, limit and plasticity tests
5. Elasticity theory
  • Properties
  • Case study
6. Principle of effective stress, effective vertical stress and pore water pressure
  • State of stress
  • Shear strength
  • Mohr’s diagram method of stress analysis
  • Geostatic stress condition
  • Lateral stress coefficient
  • Horizontal and vertical stresses
  • Failure criterion analysis
7. Flow of water through soil
  • Total head
  • Pressure head
  • Darcy’s law
  • Flow and seepage problems
  • Geotechnical seepage problems and solutions
8. Partially saturated soils and
  • Overview
  • Formation
  • Capillary head
9. Consolidation theory and settlement analysis
  • Overviews
10. Soil compaction
  • Soil properties and air voids

Entry Requirements

Applicants shall:

  1. have gained in the HKDSE Examination Level 2 or above in five subjects*^ including English Language and Chinese Language#, Mathematics (Core) and one of the following: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Combined Science or Geography; or

  2. hold a Diploma in Foundation Studies; or

  3. hold a Diploma of Applied Education, Diploma Yi Jin or equivalent qualification(s).

Equivalent qualifications will be considered by the College.

Applicants who do not possess the above academic qualifications but who are aged 21 or above with relevant work experience will be considered on individual merit.

^ If one of the five HKDSE subjects is Citizenship and Social Development, the minimum entry requirement would be “Attained” for the subject.
* Applicants are allowed to use not more than two Applied Learning (ApL) subjects in the application. The recognition of the ApL subjects is as follows:
“Attained with Distinction (II)” is deemed equivalent to Level 4 or above in the HKDSE Examination;
“Attained with Distinction (I)” is deemed equivalent to Level 3 in the HKDSE Examination; and
“Attained” is deemed equivalent to Level 2 in the HKDSE Examination.
# ApL Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking students) would be accepted as an alternative Chinese Language qualification.

 

Assessment

Students are required to do a 2-hour written examination, group-based reports and tutorial exercises.

Upon successful completion of the programme, students will be awarded within the HKU system through HKU SPACE a "Certificate for Module (Soil Mechanics)".