This course is designed for experimental researchers. As such, it uses common standard soil mechanics tests as foundation, and adds knowledge of different ways these tests can be performed and their data misinterpreted. Ultimate objective is gaining the ability to modify existing test procedures or developing new ones correctly by extrapolating from the knowledge of variety of options in common tests and adapting that knowledge to the tests their research demands.
Course Content: Hands-on training for geotechnical laboratory experiments. Details in testing methodologies that improve accuracy and precision, as well as reduce sample disturbance and heterogeneity. Mechanical and electronic measurement devices, and their calibration. A variety of methods for soil classification and index tests, compaction, permeability, consolidation, and strength tests.