BIRCHAM INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Faculty of Engineering & Technology

MODULE: Geotechnical Engineering

Program delivered by distance learning higher education up to a maximum of 39 credits. This module may be combined or completed with other online university courses from this faculty.

DESCRIPTION:

This program focuses on the utilization of natural materials for civil engineering and construction. Historically, the geotechnical engineering program focused on structural foundations, slope stability, and earth dams. Today, the program's scope of activities has expanded to include natural and man made hazard mitigation, advanced techniques for site and material characterization, modeling of natural materials, design of pavement systems, and environmental assessment and remediation.

Courses list (each subject accounts for 3 Academic Credits):

1 BIU Earned Credit = 1 USA Semester Credit (15 hours of learning) = 2 ECTS Credit (30 hours of study).

Foundation Engineering
Surveying
Geology
Hydrology
Environmental Impact
Ground Mechanics
Ground Retaining Structures
Geotechnical Analysis
Urban Geospatial Analysis
Geotechnical Engineering
Soil Science
Structural Engineering
Soil Improvement

Academic Supervisor: Luis Fontanet Sallán

More information about this supervisor and online university course instructors at BIU Human Network.

This module is applicable to Specialist, Expert, Bachelor's, Master's and Ph.D. (Doctor) Programs. This distance learning degree program is designed at the postgraduate level – Master’s or Doctoral. This module may be easily adapted to complete the Specialist, Expert or Bachelor’s adult degree program requirements. A further option is the enrollment into the online university courses listed in this module.

* University Course (3 credits): Select 1 subject from this module.

* Specialist Diploma (15 credits): First 5 subjects or select 5 subjects from this module.

* Expert Diploma (21 credits): First 7 subjects or select 7 subjects from this module.

* Bachelor's Degree (130 credits): The Admission certificate issued after submission of the application for admission will show the amount of credit transferred and validated from previous education and experience, and the amount of credits required to complete this undergraduate program's major. Additional courses from other modules of this faculty will be assigned in case that the credits displayed on this module are not enough to complete the bachelor's required credits.

* Master's Degree (35 - 50 credits): Select from 3 to 9 subjects from this module depending on the amount of credits transferred from previous education and experience. Add 13 credits corresponding to a final project to the selected subjects.

* Ph.D. (Doctor) (45 - 70 credits): Select from 3 to 9 subjects from this module depending on the amount of credits transferred from previous education and experience. Add 18 credits corresponding to a final thesis to the selected subjects.

BIU issues an admission certificate after receiving your complete application for admission. This document will show the amount of credits transferred and validated from previous education and experience, and the amount of credits required to complete the degree program's major. BIU can not perform this evaluation without the complete application for admission.

Courses Description (each subject accounts for 3 credits):

Foundation Engineering

This course presents methods of subsurface exploration and sampling, shallow foundations, lateral earth pressure theories, and earth retaining systems. It explains the engineering properties of soils and how they relate to design and construction including soil identification and classification.

Instructor: Miguel Ángel Fernández Sánchez

Surveying

This course examines the principles and techniques of surveying; errors in surveying operations; distance measurements; chain surveying; angles measurements and bearings; coordinates geometry; leveling; leveling of profiles and cross-sections contour lines; areas and volumes computations, and photometry.

Instructor: Miguel Ángel Fernández Sánchez

Geology

This course explores the origin, structure and composition of minerals and igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Plate tectonics, volcanism, rock deformation, earthquake activity, and mountain building are integrated to give an overview of the Earth’s dynamic internal processes.

Instructor: Mina Benjouali

Hydrology

This course introduces the main components of the hydrologic cycle including precipitation processes, evapotranspiration, soil water and groundwater flow, and surface water features. Emphasis is placed on the atmospheric and geologic processes controlling water movement in the cycle at the global and local scales, considering the environmental impacts of urbanization and land-use management.

Instructor: Mina Benjouali

Environmental Impact

This course studies the theory and practice of assessing environmental impact to support a policy leading to the restoration and conservation of animal and plant diversity, and of the structure and function of disturbed ecosystems. It also provides the means to evaluate environmental degradation levels and the impact of human activity on environmental health and contamination.

Instructor: Luis Fontanet Sallán

Ground Mechanics

This course examines the physical and engineering properties of soils considering soil mechanics, soil composition, soil structure, soil consolidation, shear strength, effective stress principle, water flow through soil, stability analysis of slope, earth pressure, bearing capacity, soil dynamics, ground motion, vibration and earthquake engineering.

Instructor: Miguel Ángel Fernández Sánchez

Ground Retaining Structures

This course explores special problems in ground retaining structures and soil engineering related to construction. It reviews diaphragm walls, continuous bored piles, cofferdams, shoring and underpinning methods and other ground retaining structures.

Instructor: Miguel Ángel Fernández Sánchez

Geotechnical Analysis

This course reviews geotechnical testing, modelling and analysis, to evaluate prediction versus performance in geotechnical engineering. It also explores the role of rocks and soils as engineering materials, distribution of rocks at or below the surface; hydrologic influences, geologic exploration of engineering sites, mapping, underground excavations, slopes, reservoirs, and dam sites.

Instructor: Miguel Ángel Fernández Sánchez

Urban Geospatial Analysis

This course explains the use of aerial photographs and satellite image data in urban planning, urban change analysis, land-use and land cover classification, and environmental planning applications. It provides problem-solving approaches using GIS (Geographic Information Systems).

Instructor: Miguel Ángel Fernández Sánchez

Geotechnical Engineering

This course explains the characteristics of geological materials; soil and rock classifications; physical, mechanical, and hydraulic properties; stress principles; soil and rock improvement; seepage, consolidation; stress distribution; and settlement analysis. It discusses shear strength, bearing capacity, lateral earth pressures, slope stability, and underground construction. It examines the design of shallow and deep foundations, retaining walls, tunnels, and other earth and rock structures.

Instructor: Miguel Ángel Fernández Sánchez

Soil Science

This course presents the properties and mechanics of soil that govern the use of soil for purposes related to plant growth, construction, and conservation. Topics include soil biology, chemistry, water, fertility, classification, and surveys. It relates these concepts to current soil management, wetland management, the use of Geographic Information Systems for soil mapping, and much more. The emphasis on sustainable soil use and prepares the user to deal with today's environmental issues, such as soil and water conservation, nutrient management, sustainable agriculture, etc.

Instructor: Mina Benjouali

Structural Engineering

This course deals with the structural engineering principles and design techniques. It is a must for every engineer and architect who works with the design of buildings, bridges, and other structures. It provides concise, up-to-date information on the planning, design, and construction of a variety of engineered structures.

Instructor: Graeme Dean Hamilton

Soil Improvement

This course explores the methods of soil improvement, cohesion, dewatering, drains, compaction, ground stabilization and injections.

Instructor: Mina Benjouali

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Professionally recognized and validated degrees.

Accredited (Non USA CHEA). International legalization available.

Non formal and independent education.