This document describes a soil mechanics lab course at Jordan University of Science and Technology. The course covers various soil testing methods including soil identification, moisture content, sieve and hydrometer analysis, Atterberg limits, compaction, permeability, consolidation, swell, direct shear, unconfined compression, and triaxial compression tests. Students will learn how to measure soil properties, determine typical numerical values, and apply soil properties to geotechnical designs. Assessment includes lab reports, a midterm exam, and a final exam. The course aims to provide hands-on experience with soil testing procedures and reinforce concepts from soil mechanics lectures.

1. Jordan University of Science and Technology College of Engineering
CE 463 Soil Mechanics Lab
Catalog Data CE 463 Soil Mechanics Lab (0 – 3 – 1) – 1 credits
Soil Description and Identification, Moisture Content, Sieves and Hydrometer Analysis; Atterberg
Limits (Liquid, Plastic and Shrinkage Limits); Compaction; Permeability tests (constant and
falling head); Consolidation; Swell test; Direct Shear; Unconfined Compression test; Triaxial
Compression test.
Textbook Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual by Braja Das, Sixth Edition
Oxford; ISBN 0-19-515046-5
Reference Engineering Properties of Soils and Their Measurements By J. Bowles
McGraw Hill; ISBN 0-07-006752-X
Coordinator Dr. Omer
Goals 1. Learn how to measure the basic properties of soils.
2. Learn how to determine typical ranges of numerical values expected from those tests.
3. Learn how to use soil properties in Geotechnical designs.
4. Design and conduct laboratory experiments.
Pre-Requisites by
Topic
Corequisite: Students perform basic experiments in soil mechanics.
Learning
Outcomes
1. Provide experience with the geotechnical laboratory procedure
2. Exposed to experiments to develop a “feel” for the different soil types
3. Understand the use, significance, and limitations of properties obtained from laboratory
tests and Learn how to utilize them to perform various types of engineering calculations.
4. Reinforce those concepts that are being presented in the lecture
5. Interact professionally among themselves during laboratory sessions. They will perform
tests and collect data. They will share data with other groups and also share their
experiences.
Topics 1. Soil Identification and Description 2 Lab hours
2. Sieve Analysis 2 Lab hours
3. Hydrometer Analysis 3 Lab hours
4. Liquid, Plastic and Shrinkage Limits 3 Lab hours
5. Standard Proctor Compaction Test 3 Lab hours
6. Permeability Test (Constant Head) 2 Lab hours
7. Permeability Test (Falling Head) 2 Lab hours
8. Consolidation Test 4 Lab hours
9. Swell Test 4 Lab hours
10. Direct Shear Test 2 Lab hours
11. Unconfined Compression Test 2 Lab hours
12. Triaxial Compression Test 3 Lab hours
Computer Usage Spreadsheets, word processing, and the use of software at the end of the soil manual book.
Method of
Assessm
ent
Lab Reports 30%
Midterm 30%
Final Exam 40%
Estimated
Content
Engineering Science 1 Credit
Engineering Design 0 Credit
Prepared by Dr. Omer Mughied
Date March 7th, 2007

2. Jordan University of Science and Technology College of Engineering
CE 463 Soil Mechanics Lab (3 - 0:3)
Description: Soil Description and Identification, Moisture Content, Sieves and Hydrometer Analysis; Atterberg Limits (Liquid, Plastic and Shrinkage Limits); Compaction;
Permeability tests (constant and falling head); Consolidation; Swell test; Direct Shear; Unconfined Compression test; Triaxial Compression test.
Co-Requisite: CE Soil Mechanics 1
Student Assessment and Grading: Reports (30%), Midterm (30%), Final Exam (40%)
Objectives and Cross Reference Table:
Student Learning Outcome Method of Delivery Assessment Methods Program Learning
Outcomes
Provide experience with the geotechnical laboratory procedure Examples and problems Assignments, projects and exams
Exposed to experiments to develop a “feel” for the different soil
types Examples and problems Assignments, projects and exams
Understand the use, significance, and limitations of properties
obtained from laboratory tests and Learn how to utilize them to
Examples and problems
perform various types of engineering calculations.
Assignments, projects and
exams
Reinforce those concepts that are being presented in the lecture Examples, problems and lab
Assignments, projects, lab reports and
exams
Interact professionally among themselves during laboratory
sessions. They will perform tests and collect data. They will
share data with other groups and also share their experiences.
Examples, problems and lab
Assignments, projects, lab reports and
exams