geotechnical engineering

BEng in Civil Engineering: Geotechnical Engineering Design & Theory

ASSESSMENT NO. 1 – LABORATORY REPORT (25%):

Using the parameters obtained in the laboratory each student must individually prepare a report (see: ‘Format to laboratory report, below’), which should include a copy of the relevant British Standard for testing, and a full set of test results, which shall include all calculations. It may be appropriate to undertake the calculations using a spreadsheet. A part of this report shall include detailed comments on the use of the tests undertaken and the conformity of the material tested to appropriate specifications used in geotechnical engineering.

Format to laboratory report

Title page (part of presentation marks)

(1) Title of Experiment,

(2) Name of student, course and level

(3) Group & Date of performing the experiment

(4) Lecturer’s name

Turnitin originality report (failure to include it will result in a default mark of zero)

Abstract (10 marks)

Summarises essential aspects of the report:

(1) The purpose of the experiments

(2) Key findings

(3) Significance

(4) Major conclusions

Introduction (10 marks) Explain very briefly the purpose of the experiment and important background/theory. The introduction should be more focussed than the abstract, stating the subject matter of the report clearly and concisely, in a few sentences.

Experimental procedure (5 marks) In reference to the relevant BS describe the process in chronological order. Also, include detailed hand sketches of the equipment, which are fully labelled.

Calculations and results (20 marks) Show only one typical calculation on the data obtained from the experiment and then tabulate the results of your analysis - spreadsheets. Present the analysed data in figures or tables to indicate what knowledge has been gained from the experiment.

Discussion (20 marks)

Points to consider when writing the discussion (the most important part of your report):

• Are your values of the right order of magnitude, i.e. are they in keeping with typical values in textbooks? What does your textbook say about the materials relevant to this experiment?

• Could the experiment be improved?

• According to theory, how should the material behave - how did it behave?

• What has the experiment taught you about the material you were testing?

• What have you learned?

Quotations from textbooks are perfectly acceptable provided that the whole report is not copied from a book and also provided that the source of the information is acknowledged.

Conclusions & recommendations (10 marks) Be brief. The conclusions should be concise statements, which arise from your discussion - they can be negative or positive.

References (5 marks) Harvard/Numeric style (including the date of accessing any website)

Appendix I (5 marks) Raw data and calculations – no comments required.

Appendix II (10 marks) Safe working procedure & risk assessment

Presentation (5 marks The laboratory report must be word processing and graphs produced on Excel and labeled correctly, etc.

Dr Martin Pritchard	Page 2