Challenges for Geotechnical Engineering Education J.N.Jha*, K.S.Gill*, A.K.Chaudhary** *Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, Punjab, India **National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India

Index Introduction Current Status of Geotechnical Engineering courses. Suggested improvements/incorporation in Curriculum. Geotechnical Engineering Teaching Process. Marketing aspects of Geotechnical Engineering. Conclusion

Introduction

Current Status of Geotechnical Engineering courses.

Suggested improvements/incorporation in Curriculum.

Geotechnical Engineering Teaching Process.

Marketing aspects of Geotechnical Engineering.

Conclusion

Introduction World population (2050): 9 billion Increase in population: Underdeveloped/developing countries State of Infrastructure: critical e.g India

World population (2050): 9 billion

Increase in population:

Underdeveloped/developing countries

State of Infrastructure: critical

e.g India

11 th Five Year Plan (HT) Investment on infrastructure: Rs. 14,50,000 Crores Housing Sector & Maintenance of Roads: Rs. 1,22,000 crores Construction & Development of Airports: Rs. 40,000 crores Ports: Rs. 60,000 crores

11 th Five Year Plan (HT)

Investment on infrastructure:

Rs. 14,50,000 Crores

Housing Sector & Maintenance of Roads: Rs. 1,22,000 crores

Construction & Development of Airports: Rs. 40,000 crores

Ports: Rs. 60,000 crores

Requirement of Civil Engineers: 70,000 per year (Indian Express) Availability of Civil Engineers: 18,700 per year Civil Engineers with Geotechnical Engineering specialization: 5.9% of ASCE Members (Geotech. engineering as interest area) Total no. of IGS Members: <5,000

Requirement of Civil Engineers: 70,000 per year (Indian Express)

Availability of Civil Engineers:

18,700 per year

Civil Engineers with Geotechnical Engineering specialization:

5.9% of ASCE Members (Geotech. engineering as interest area)

Total no. of IGS Members: <5,000

Number of institutes offering M.Tech. (Geotechnical Engineering)<100 Annual intake (M. Tech. Geotechnical Engineering)<1500 Actual admission (M. Tech): (Geotechnical Engineering)<50% of intake

Number of institutes offering M.Tech. (Geotechnical Engineering)<100

Annual intake (M. Tech. Geotechnical Engineering)<1500

Actual admission (M. Tech): (Geotechnical Engineering)<50% of intake

Current Status of Geotechnical Engineering Courses (UG) Very few course teach critical state of Soil Mechanics. Little evidence that Modern Technology & Technique such as Video films or Computer Simulation is used. Inadequate use of demonstration and illustrative experiment to convey the fundamental behaviour of Soil Mechanics. Required: Adequate course curriculum & interesting delivery system needed.

Very few course teach critical state of Soil Mechanics.

Little evidence that Modern Technology & Technique such as Video films or Computer Simulation is used.

Inadequate use of demonstration and illustrative experiment to convey the fundamental behaviour of Soil Mechanics.

Required: Adequate course curriculum & interesting delivery system needed.

Basic Soil Mechanics Foundation Engineering Applied Geotechnical Engg. (Field/constructional problems) Geotechnical Engg. Lab.-I Geotechnical Engg. Lab-II (Demonstrative & Illustrative experiments) Basic soil mechanics Foundation Engineering Practical Geotechnical Engineering Suggested Existing

Basic Soil Mechanics

Foundation Engineering

Applied Geotechnical Engg. (Field/constructional problems)

Geotechnical Engg. Lab.-I

Geotechnical Engg. Lab-II

(Demonstrative & Illustrative experiments)

Basic soil mechanics

Foundation Engineering

Practical Geotechnical Engineering

Suggested improvements/incorporation in Curriculum Risk Assessment and Financial aspects. Physical Modelling. Digital image analysis. Case histories and practical projects.

Risk Assessment and Financial aspects.

Physical Modelling.

Digital image analysis.

Case histories and practical projects.

Risk Assessment and Financial Aspects Risk Assessment and Financial aspects. Risk of injury. Number of peoples die (collapsing excavation) is six times number of injuries (Any construction work). Reason: Death due to lack of shoring system or inadequate shoring.

Risk Assessment and Financial aspects.

Risk of injury.

Number of peoples die (collapsing excavation) is six times number of injuries (Any construction work).

Reason: Death due to lack of shoring system or inadequate shoring.

Risk (Geotechnical Engg.) Caves in: Collapse- Total or Partial (trench, deep test pits, large boring) Cohesionless soil/Seepage of water. Encounter of bad air (Buildup of gas from decomposing organics/lack of Oxygen). Equipment risk (Break of drilling equipment/bursting of high pressure hose). Toxic risk (Exposure of toxic waste). Utility risk (Drilling equip. punctured gas). Inspection risk (Caisson/Deep excavation).

Caves in: Collapse- Total or Partial (trench, deep test pits, large boring)

Cohesionless soil/Seepage of water.

Encounter of bad air (Buildup of gas from decomposing organics/lack of Oxygen).

Equipment risk (Break of drilling equipment/bursting of high pressure hose).

Toxic risk (Exposure of toxic waste).

Utility risk (Drilling equip. punctured gas).

Inspection risk (Caisson/Deep excavation).

Financial Loss (Geotechnical Engineers) Vulnerable to financial loss (Reason: Unknown soil condition) Good Engineering Practice Specify frequency and spacing of borings. Impossible to explore the subsurface completely. Some uncertainty remains about subsurface condition.

Vulnerable to financial loss

(Reason: Unknown soil condition)

Good Engineering Practice

Specify frequency and spacing of borings.

Impossible to explore the subsurface completely.

Some uncertainty remains about subsurface condition.

If problem develops at any stage: Failed to perform complete or diligent subsurface investigation How to mitigate ? To buy insurance (Error-and-omissions insurance expensive) Limitation of liability clause in contract (Not always judgment proof)

If problem develops at any stage:

Failed to perform complete or diligent subsurface investigation

How to mitigate ?

To buy insurance (Error-and-omissions insurance expensive)

Limitation of liability clause in contract (Not always judgment proof)

Geotechnical Engineers must be trained to evaluate the safety of engineering operations at field. Safety aspects and possible financial loss during subsurface investigation must be incorporated in curriculum at some stage of the course at UG level.

Geotechnical Engineers must be trained to evaluate the safety of engineering operations at field.

Safety aspects and possible financial loss during subsurface investigation must be incorporated in curriculum at some stage of the course at UG level.

Physical Modelling Key limitation of reduced scale physical model is quantitative interpretation of experimental data . Modern geotechnical centrifuge modeling addresses this limitation. To ensure maximum benefit identify a strategic approach for introducing simulation technique into the courses

Key limitation of reduced scale physical model is quantitative interpretation of experimental data .

Modern geotechnical centrifuge modeling addresses this limitation.

To ensure maximum benefit identify a strategic approach for introducing simulation technique into the courses

Advantages (Physical Modelling) Complex non-linear geotechnical mechanism and phenomena can be portrayed (otherwise difficult to visualize). Possible to observe the physical sense of fundamental mechanism governing the Geotechnical system. Possible to observe failure mechanism by testing small scale model to collapse. (Not possible in traditional Geotechnical Lab. Session)

Complex non-linear geotechnical mechanism and phenomena can be portrayed (otherwise difficult to visualize).

Possible to observe the physical sense of fundamental mechanism governing the Geotechnical system.

Possible to observe failure mechanism by testing small scale model to collapse.

(Not possible in traditional

Geotechnical Lab. Session)

Possible to find deviation between predicted and actual performance of geotechnical system through back analysis of physical model- experiments.

Possible to find deviation between predicted and actual performance of geotechnical system through back analysis of physical model- experiments.

Digital Image Analysis Current Education Curriculum emphasize behaviourist learning ( Research :Visual input contribute learning more significantly) Necessary to strengthen the curriculum by incorporating projects ( Application of IT ) that 1. Cultivate hands on experience. 2.As well as to visualize the materials conceptually in broader concept.

Current Education Curriculum emphasize behaviourist learning

( Research :Visual input contribute learning more significantly)

Necessary to strengthen the curriculum by incorporating projects ( Application of IT ) that

1. Cultivate hands on experience.

2.As well as to visualize the materials conceptually in broader concept.

Use of Digital Image Analysis can supplement the traditional teaching method. (To effectively communicate complex concepts)

Use of Digital Image Analysis can supplement the traditional teaching method. (To effectively communicate complex concepts)

Case History and Practical Projects Case histories play an important role in developing the engineering approach and engineering judgment. Case studies should include not only the failure structure and treatment of such failure projects but some important successful projects also (Hover Dam, Panama Canal).

Case histories play an important role in developing the engineering approach and engineering judgment.

Case studies should include not only the failure structure and treatment of such failure projects but some important successful projects also (Hover Dam, Panama Canal).

Advantages Appreciation of significant features and mechanism of problem. Idealization and simplification of problems. Assessment of relevant geotechnical parameters.

Appreciation of significant features and mechanism of problem.

Idealization and simplification of problems.

Assessment of relevant geotechnical parameters.

Geotechnical Engineering (teaching process) Upgradation of curriculum focuses only on course content, rarely discusses the innovative teaching process. Learner-oriented approach more effective then the tradition teaching approach.

Upgradation of curriculum focuses only on course content, rarely discusses the innovative teaching process.

Learner-oriented approach more effective then the tradition teaching approach.

Laboratory Experiments Present curriculum discusses the testing procedure only. Geotechnical engg. students are expected to develop understanding of geotechnical problems. Desirable to demonstrate experiments and tests through Modern Technology which enables comparison with theoretical analysis.

Present curriculum discusses the testing procedure only.

Geotechnical engg. students are expected to develop understanding of geotechnical problems.

Desirable to demonstrate experiments and tests through Modern Technology which enables comparison with theoretical analysis.

Audio-Visual Aids Ample scope to use audio-visual aids/IT techniques (Direct Teaching). Illustration of laboratory and field testing technique. Illustration of fundamental aspects of Soil and Foundation Behaviour. Embankment construction and failure Development of slope instability. Failure and excavation support.

Ample scope to use audio-visual aids/IT techniques (Direct Teaching).

Illustration of laboratory and field testing technique.

Illustration of fundamental aspects of Soil and Foundation Behaviour.

Embankment construction and failure

Development of slope instability.

Failure and excavation support.

Role of Computers Means of reducing repetitive computational efforts (stability analysis via method involving slices). Means of demonstrating fundamental mechanism of behaviour through computer graphics. Development of failure zone beneath foundation. Seepage through earth dam. Deformation pattern in granular material.

Means of reducing repetitive computational efforts (stability analysis via method involving slices).

Means of demonstrating fundamental mechanism of behaviour through computer graphics.

Development of failure zone beneath foundation.

Seepage through earth dam.

Deformation pattern in granular material.

Geotechnical Engg. (Marketing Aspects) Geotechnical Engg.: Sample fetching or logging bore holes (general perception). Biggest challenge: To create awareness that work of Geotechnical engineers have a direct impact on improving the quality of life. Selling geotechnical as a profession to students on large scale so as to attract bright and maximum no. of students for geotechnical engg. Specialization

Geotechnical Engg.: Sample fetching or logging bore holes (general perception).

Biggest challenge: To create awareness that work of Geotechnical engineers have a direct impact on improving the

quality of life.

Selling geotechnical as a profession to students on large scale so as to attract bright and maximum no. of students for geotechnical engg. Specialization

Conclusion Reorient geotechnical engg. curriculum to attract more Civil engg. students to opt for Geotechnical Engg. Specialization. Application of IT in Geotechnical engineering education be made compulsory. Safety and financial aspects of engg. operation in field must be taught.

Reorient geotechnical engg. curriculum to attract more Civil engg. students to opt for Geotechnical Engg. Specialization.

Application of IT in Geotechnical engineering education be made compulsory.

Safety and financial aspects of engg. operation in field must be taught.

Site visit and case history should be part of course programme. Laboratory work must include demonstration and illustration of fundamental aspect of Soil and Foundation Behaviour. Selling Geotechnical Engg. on a large scale by highlighting the achievements of geotechnical Engineers.

Site visit and case history should be part of course programme.

Laboratory work must include demonstration and illustration of fundamental aspect of Soil and Foundation Behaviour.

Selling Geotechnical Engg. on a large scale by highlighting the achievements of geotechnical Engineers.

Thank you……………….

Thank you……………….