Slope Stability (CE418) Course Detail

Course Name Course Code Season Lecture Hours Application Hours Lab Hours Credit ECTS
Slope Stability CE418 Area Elective 3 0 0 3 6
Pre-requisite Course(s)
CE311
Course Language English
Course Type Elective Courses
Course Level Natural & Applied Sciences Master's Degree
Mode of Delivery Face To Face
Learning and Teaching Strategies Lecture, Question and Answer, Problem Solving, Team/Group.
Course Coordinator
Course Lecturer(s)
  • Asst. Prof. Dr. Ebru AKIŞ
Course Assistants
Course Objectives The objective of this course is to provide a detailed background for slope stability and to teach methods used in the stability analysis and stabilization.
Course Learning Outcomes The students who succeeded in this course;
  • The students will learn the slope stability concepts.
  • The students will learn the causes of slope failures and landslides.
  • The students will be able to determine the shear strength parameters of the soil from laboratory and field test results.
  • The students will be able determine the factor of safety of a slope by carrying out slope stability analysis.
  • The students will be able to propose alternative stabilization methods to unstable slopes.
Course Content Overview of slopes and stability concepts, examples of slope failure, causes of slope failures, review of soil mechanics principles and shear strength of soil: drained and undrained conditions, total and effective stress, drained and undrained shear strength, laboratory and field Testing of earth materials for slope stability.

Weekly Subjects and Releated Preparation Studies

Week Subjects Preparation
1 Introduction to slope stability and landslides: overview of slopes and stability concepts, examples of slope failure, causes of slope failures
2 Introduction to slope stability and landslides: overview of slopes and stability concepts, examples of slope failure, causes of slope failures
3 Review of soil mechanics Principles and shear strength of soil: Drained and undrained conditions, total and effective stress, drained and undrained shear strength;
4 Review of soil mechanics principles and shear strength of soil: Drained and undrained conditions, total and effective stress, drained and undrained shear strength;
5 Review of soil mechanics principles and shear strength of soil: Drained and undrained conditions, total and effective stress, drained and undrained shear strength;
6 Laboratory and field testing of earth materials for slope stability: Field study in landslides, exploration methods at site, triaxial tests, direct shear tests, other tests and interpretation;
7 Laboratory and field testing of earth materials for slope stability: Field study in landslides, exploration methods at site, triaxial tests, direct shear tests, other tests and interpretation;
8 Laboratory and field testing of earth materials for slope stability: Field study in landslides, exploration methods at site, triaxial tests, direct shear tests, other tests and interpretation;
9 Laboratory and field testing of earth materials for slope stability: Field study in landslides, exploration methods at site, triaxial tests, direct shear tests, other tests and interpretation;
10 Slope stability analysis: Modes of failure, factor of safety concepts, stability conditions for analysis, limit equilibrium methods, slice methods, infinite slope, design charts, pseudostatic analysis;
11 Slope stability analysis: Modes of failure, factor of safety concepts, stability conditions for analysis, limit equilibrium methods, slice methods, infinite slope, design charts, pseudostatic analysis;
12 Slope stability analysis: Modes of failure, factor of safety concepts, stability conditions for analysis, limit equilibrium methods, slice methods, infinite slope, design charts, pseudostatic analysis;
13 Slope stability analysis: Modes of failure, factor of safety concepts, stability conditions for analysis, limit equilibrium methods, slice methods, infinite slope, design charts, pseudostatic analysis;
14 Slope Stabilization Methods
15 Final Exam Period
16 Final Exam Period

Sources

Other Sources 1. Abramson, L.W., Lee, T.S., Sharma, S., Boyce G.M., Slope Stability and Stabilization Methods, 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2001.
2. Duncan J.M., Wright S.G., Soil Strength and Stability, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2005
3. Turner A.K., Schuster R.L., Landslides Investigation and Mitigation, Special Report 247, National Academy Press Washington, D.C., 1996.
4. Knappett,J.A., Craig, R.F., Craig’s Soil Mechanics, 8th Edition, Spon Press, 2012.
5. Das B.M., Sobhan K., Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, 8th Edition, Cengage Learning, 2014.
6. Budhu, M., Foundations and Earth Retaining Structures, John Wiley & Sons, 2007.
7. Önalp A., Arel E., Geoteknik Bilgisi II-Yamaç ve Şevlerin Mühendisliği, Birsen Yayınevi Ltd. Şti., 2004.

Evaluation System

Requirements Number Percentage of Grade
Attendance/Participation - -
Laboratory - -
Application - -
Field Work - -
Special Course Internship - -
Quizzes/Studio Critics - -
Homework Assignments 4 15
Presentation 1 25
Project - -
Report - -
Seminar - -
Midterms Exams/Midterms Jury 1 25
Final Exam/Final Jury 1 35
Toplam 7 100
Percentage of Semester Work 65
Percentage of Final Work 35
Total 100

Course Category

Core Courses X
Major Area Courses
Supportive Courses
Media and Managment Skills Courses
Transferable Skill Courses

The Relation Between Course Learning Competencies and Program Qualifications

# Program Qualifications / Competencies Level of Contribution
1 2 3 4 5
1 Having accumulated knowledge on mathematics, science and engineering and an ability to apply these knowledge to solve Civil engineering problems. X
2 Ability to design Cİvil Engineering systems fulfilling sustainability in environment and manufacturability and economic constraints
3 An ability to differentiate, identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems; an ability to select and implement proper analysis, modeling and implementation techniques for the identified engineering problems.
4 An ability to develop a solution based approach and a model for an engineering problem and design and manage an experiment
5 Ability to use modern engineering tools, techniques and facilities in design and other engineering applications
6 Ability to carry out independent research in the field and to report the results of the research effectively and be able to present the research results at scientific meetings.
7 Sufficient oral and written English knowledge to follow scientific conferences in the field and communicate with colleagues.
8 Ability to effectively use knowledge in the field to work in disciplinary/multidisciplinary teams and the skill to lead these teams
9 Consciousness on the necessity of improvement and sustainability as a result of life-long learning,ability for continuous renovation and monitoring the developments on science and technology and awareness on entrepreneurship and innovation
10 Professional and ethical responsibility to gather and interpret data, apply and announce solutions to Civil Engineering problems.
11 An ability to investigate, improve social connections and their conducting norms with a critical view and act to change them when necessary.

ECTS/Workload Table

Activities Number Duration (Hours) Total Workload
Course Hours (Including Exam Week: 16 x Total Hours) 16 3 48
Laboratory
Application
Special Course Internship
Field Work
Study Hours Out of Class 14 2 28
Presentation/Seminar Prepration 1 15 15
Project
Report
Homework Assignments 4 7 28
Quizzes/Studio Critics
Prepration of Midterm Exams/Midterm Jury 1 15 15
Prepration of Final Exams/Final Jury 1 16 16
Total Workload 150