One. To provide sound theoretical frameworks from and within which the strategies, methods and procedures used in engineering geology and hydrogeology can be developed and understood
Two. To illustrate using selected topics key aspects of engineering geology and its applications in natural and built environments
Three. To highlight the relationships between engineering geology and hydrogeology  
Four. To illustrate, using a case study, the application of engineering geology and hydrogeology to the assessment of stability in a natural system

(LO1) Describe, explain and evaluate the principles of stress and its analysis in two and three dimensions

(LO2) Describe, explain and evaluate the mechanical models of fracture and sliding

(LO3) Describe quantitatively and semi-quantitatively recoverable and irrecoverable deformations and discriminate between them

(LO4) Describe and explain how and why water moves and is stored in aquifers

(LO5) Explain and critically assess the mechanics that underpin selected stability criteria

(LO6) Evaluate the validity of stability criteria and assess their reliability in different situations

(LO7) Apply the principles of rock and soil mechanics to selected geomechanical systems

(LO8) Evaluate hydrogeological properties of aquifers and aquicludes using a variety of approaches

(LO9) Prepare and use Mohr circles to represent and analyse states of stress

(LO10) Use Mohr diagrams to investigate the mechanics of fracture and sliding

(LO11) Determine, using industry standard tests, the strengths of rock samples and from experiment, the rheological properties of analogue materials

(LO12) Determine using a variety of techniques the hydraulic conductivity of aquifers and predict patterns and rates of water flow in the subsurface

(LO13) Design, implement and summarise a field-based investigation of an engineering geological problem

Topics covered in the module:

Introduction to engineering geology and hydrogeology. Revision of stress analysis from Introduction to Structural Geology and Geological Maps

Properties of aquifers and aquicludes, water tables and hydrogeological maps

Hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity and storativity revealed by well production data and monitoring boreholes

Hydrogeology of coastal aquifers and hydrogeochemistry

Stable isotope uses in hydrogeology and dating groundwaters using radiocarbon techniques (laboratory work)

Stress, state of stress on a plane, state of stress at a point, the Mohr circle for stress and representation of stress states, stress tensor

Examples of rock tests (laboratory work)

Use of Mohr circles in the analysis of stress states (laboratory work )

Failure by fracture and sliding

Analysis of fracture and sliding using the Mohr circle for stress (laboratory work)

Rheology

Experimental analysis of rheology (laboratory work)

Stability criteria, e.g. the stability of slopes

Stereographic analysis of slope stability (laboratory work)

Strength of rock masses

Long term stability, e.g. the stability of tunnels

Soil properties and soil mechanics

Slope failure in soils

Introduction to the Mam Tor landslip

Field class: one day Mam Tor, Derbyshire

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Lectures will be used to introduce new topics, identify the scope of each topic, highlight key elements and concepts, explain the more complex or difficult parts and ,where necessary, resolve conflicts encountered in textbooks.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2 - Laboratory Work
Description: Laboratory work will be used to illustrate theoretical concepts, develop practical skills and provide awareness of industry standard techniques.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 3 - Fieldwork
Description: Site investigation of an active landslip.
Attendance recoded: Yes

Notes: The fieldwork forms the basis of an assessed report.