Core Information
Course CEE 421/521 Earth Structural Design with Geosynthetics
Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits
Spring Semester, ODU Campus
Pre-requisite: CEE 323 (Soil Mechanics)
Session Spring Session #1
Instructor Isao Ishibashi, Professor, CEE, KH 134
Phone (757) 683-4641
Fax (757) 683-5354
e-mail <iishibas@odu.edu>
Course Description
   

The course first studies natural slopes and embankments for their stability and seepage problems. The proceeding sessions deal with applications of geosynthetic construction materials to designs of those earth structures. In the recent years, geosynthetics became very practical and economical materials to be used in earth reinforcement, filtration, pond liner, landfill liner, and many other subsurface constructions and earth structures. The class reviews different types of available geosynthetic materials, those applications, and design techniques.

Textbook and References
   

Required Textbook:
Robert M. Koerner, Designing with Geosynthetics, 4rd edition, Prentice Hall, 1997.

References:
Introductory Soil Mechanics book used in CEE 323

References for Geosynthetics:

  • Trade magazines
    1. Geotechnical Fabrics Report (soon to be renamed Geotechnical Forum and Review) (IFAI)
  • GFR Specifier's Guide (IFAI)
  • Geosynthetics World

  • Peer-reviewed technical journals
    1. Geosynthetics International (IFAI)
    2. Geotextiles and Geomembranes (Elsevier)

  • Conference proceedings
    1. International Geosynthetics Society, Paris1977, Las Vegas 1982, Vienna 1986,the Hague 1990, Singapore 1994, Atlanta 1998.
    2. North American Geosynthetics Society, New Orleans, 1987, San Diego 1989, Atlanta 1991, Vancouver 1993, Nashville 1995, Long Beach 1997.
    3. Geosynthetics Case Histories, ISSMFE Committee TC9, 1993.

  • Books and reports
    1. Holtz, R.D., Christopher, B.R., and Berg, R.R, Geosynthetic Design & Construction Guidlines, Participant Notebook, NHI Course No. 13213, prepared for National Highway Institute, FHA, May 1995.
    2. IFAI, A Design Primer: Geotextile and Related Materials, 1990.
    3. Wu, J.T.H, Design and Construction of Simple, Easy and Low cost Retaining Walls, Colorado Transportation Institute, report No. CTI-UCD-1-94, 1994.
    4. Horvath, J.S., Geoform Geosynthetics, Horvath Engineering, P. C., 1995.

    • Grading Policy
    The final grade will be based on the following percentages:

    Home works Mid-term examination Final examination Total
    30 % 30 % 40 % 100
    Tentative Course Outline
    CEE 421/521 Earth Structural Design with Geosynthetics
    Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits
    ODU Campus
    Spring Session

    Today is

     Lecture Topics Date

    [1]
    Seepage through dams


    1 week

    [2]
    Earth filtering design


    0.5 week

    [3]
    Slope stability analysis


    2 week

    [4]
    Overview of geosynthetics (Chapter 1)
    Description of geosynthetics, Functions of geosynthetics, Polymers, Geosynthetics tests


    1.5 week

    [5]
    Geotextiles (Chapter 2)
    Separation (2.5)
    Unpaved roadway reinforcement (2.6.1)
    Reinforced walls (2.7.1)
    Filtration (2.8)
    Drainage (2.9)
    4 weeks

    [6]
    Mid-term


    1 week

    [7]
    Geogrids (Chapter 3)
    Reinforced walls (3.2.5)


    0.5 week

    [8]
    Geonets (Chapter 4)
    Drainage (4.2)


    0.5 week

    [9]
    Geomembrances (Chapter 5)
    Liquid containment (pond) liners (5.3)
    Solid material (landfill) liners (5.6)
    Cap and enclosures (5.7)
    2 weeks

    [10]
    Geosynthetic clay liners (Chapter 6)


    1 week


    Final examination


    TBA