Course detail

Basic of Geotechnics

FAST-BFA012Acad. year: 2025/2026

Geotechnical engineering presents an important part of modern civil engineering. Activities within this industry are foundation design, stabilising existing constructions, retaining structures design, underground structures design, soil improvement and many others. The role of this industry is growing in importance also due to an effort to utilize geotechnical constructions for energy purposes. The course is divided into two parts. Basic principles of soil mechanics important for practical applications are presented in the first part. Conclusion of the first part is focused on basics of thermo-mechanical behaviour of soils. The second part of the course presents an overview of special foundation including energy structures.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Ing. Juraj Chalmovský, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Geotechnics (GTN)

Entry knowledge

Knowledge of mathematics and physics at secondary school level, basics of structural mechanics.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Extent and forms are specified by guarantor’s regulation updated for every academic year.

Aims

Not applicable.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

ATKINSON, John. The mechanics of soils and foundations. CRC press, 2017. (EN)
BUDHU, Muniram. Soil mechanics fundamentals. John Wiley & Sons, 2015. (EN)
DUNCAN, J. Michael; WRIGHT, Stephen G.; BRANDON, Thomas L. Soil strength and slope stability. John Wiley & Sons, 2014. (EN)
MASOPUST, Jan. Speciální zakládání staveb 1. díl. Akadem. nakl. CERM, 2004. (CS)
MASOPUST, Jan. Speciální zakládání staveb 2. díl. Akadem. nakl. CERM, 2006.  (CS)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BPC-EVB Bachelor's 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Juraj Chalmovský, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  • 1. Introduction to soil mechanics, soil index properties.
  • 2. Basics of geomechanics – stress and strain in soil; Mohr´s circle; principle of effective stress, mechanical behavior of materials - elasticity, plasticity, failure; drained, undrained conditions.
  • 3. Compressibility of soils.
  • 4. Time dependent soil behavior, permeability, consolidation.
  • 5. Shear strength of soils.
  • 6. Basics of thermodynamics, heat transfer through soils.
  • 7. Thermo-mechanical behaviour of soils
  • 8. Introduction to the special foundation engineering.
  • 9. Shallow foundations.
  • 10. Deep foundations.
  • 11. Retaining structures.
  • 12. Energy geo-structures.
  • 13. Thermomechanical behaviour of energy geo-structures.

Exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Juraj Chalmovský, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  • 1. Index properties of soils. Characteristics of phase relationship in the soil.
  • 2. Effective stress. Geostatic stress.
  • 3. Compressibility, consolidation – parameters evaluation.
  • 4. Laboratory of soil mechanics – mechanical properties.
  • 5. Shear strength of soils.
  • 6. Stress in soil due to surface load.
  • 7. Settlement calculation.
  • 8. Individual consultations.
  • 9. Bearing capacity of shallow foundation.
  • 10. Bearing capacity of deep foundation – ultimate limit state.
  • 11. Bearing capacity of deep foundations – serviceability limit state.
  • 12. Earth pressures. Design of unsupported retaining wall.
  • 13. Individual consultations. Credit.