School
Business, Entrepreneurship, and Professional Development
Division
Building Sciences
Department
Architecture/Construction Tech
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Bldg Sciences-Architecture
Course Number
135
Course Title
Soils and Foundations
Credit Hours
4.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
5.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
77.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Pre-requisites
None
Catalog Course Description
This course examines the principles and behaviors of soils in construction. Topics include the study of physical and mechanical properties of soils, design considerations, and construction applications. Laboratory and field tests are performed, along with an introduction to design principles of concrete and foundations.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
Core Course Topics
- Soil composition and terminology
- Define soil material constituents and their origins.
- Soil types and structure
- Define the major soil types.
- Identify shapes and sizes of particles to help determine soil types.
- Assess the relationship of clay and water and the chemical composition of clays.
- Define the basic soil structure, and explain how it relates to soil groupings and types.
- Properties of soils
- Employ the indexing properties of soils, and explain how they relate to type and condition of soil, strength, and the compressibility of the soil.
- Calculate the relative density of a soil.
- Soil Classification
- Interpret the different classification systems of soils, including the United Soil Classification System and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) System.
- Determine the plasticity index and the liquid limit of a soil sample.
- Engineering properties of soil
- Categorize the various methods of obtaining soil samples from the field.
- Differentiate the effects of water on soils.
- Appraise the common drainage and dewatering techniques used.
- Apply how drainage is applied in construction, including the use of foundation drains, blanket drains, interceptor drains, filters, synthetic fabrics, land drainage, and soil percolation.
- Define frost heave in soils.
- Soil Reports
- Describe various methods of soil sampling.
- Interpret and apply data from a soils report.
- Fundamentals of concrete
- Create concrete test samples demonstrating proper concrete mix ratios.
- Perform concrete compressive strength tests.
- Shallow foundations
- Identify and describe shallow foundations.
- Deep foundations
- Identify and describe deep foundations.
Outcomes
Satisfies Wellness Requirement
No
Credit for Prior College-Level Learning
Approval Dates
Effective Term
Fall 2021
Review Semester
Fall 2021