To develop the full-time students’ ability to carry out standard shear strength tests in the field.

Assignment Brief

Civil Engineering

Aims

• To develop the full-time students’ ability to carry out standard shear strength tests in the field.
• To develop the full-time and part-time students’ ability to interpret data obtained during the desk study phase of a ground investigation.
• To develop the full-time and part-time students understanding of soil geology and interpretation of geological maps.

1. Prepare a desk study report based on the envirocheck data provided for the Newton Rigg College, Penrith, site (the fields at the eastern part of the Newton Rigg campus should be the centre for your desk study based discussions – full-time students are expected to add a site description, but part-time students are NOT expected to do that part because they will not have been able to walk across the site). NOTE: An Exemplar Desk Study Report is provided on Moodle to provide an example of the structure of your report (simply delete the parts that are not relevant to this specific site) BUT that does NOT necessarily focus as much on the GEOTECHNICAL aspects as Module CIE5005 requires. Avoid spending excess time on the environmental aspects, but try to relate any environmental aspects that would form part of a geotechnical engineer’s brief. Identifying and discussing geotechnical risks and likelihood plus ways of overcoming or mitigating those risks is the main focus of your work.

2. Provide a geological summary for the three sites identified on the Rochdale Geology map sheet provided on Moodle.

3. Summarise the field work carried out and interpret the shear strength profile across the site using the data your group obtained.

Sample Answer

Desk Study Report: Newton Rigg College (Penrith) – Geotechnical Focus

1. Introduction and Site Overview

This desk study examines soil and geological conditions at Newton Rigg College’s eastern fields in Penrith, using Envirocheck data and regional geology maps. The primary aim is to identify geotechnical risks and suggest mitigation strategies, vital for any future ground investigation or development.

2. Desk Study of Envirocheck Data & Geotechnical Risks

Based on Envirocheck, the following geotechnical-relevant points arise:

1. Historical Land Use
   Possible agricultural activity and minor construction on site could indicate areas of compacted or made ground.

2. Landslide Risk / Slope Stability
   Given Cumbria’s rolling terrain and presence of glacial deposits, there is a potential for shallow landslides, especially at field edges.

3. Mine or Quarry Legacy
   No major coal or mine workings were found, but there may be shallow borrow pits or small-scale excavations from past agricultural use.

4. Groundwater & Drainage
   Watertable depth is likely influenced by glacial soils. Poor drainage areas may cause local saturation and lower soil strength.

5. Contamination History
   No significant industrial history detected, meaning low chemical risk and few environmental concerns from a geotechnical perspective.

3. Geological Summary of Three Sites (Rochdale Map Sheet 76)

Based on BGS Rochdale Sheet 76 and regional resources:

1. Site A: Upper Carboniferous Sandstone (Millstone Grit Group)

   • Composed of thin-to-thick bedded sandstone and siltstone

   • High strength but prone to bedding-plane slips in steep slopes

   • Good bearing strength; possible foundation rock near outcrop areas

2. Site B: Pennine Coal Measures Group

   • Alternating sandstone, mudstone, and minor coal seams

   • Variable strength and risk of shallow weathering

   • Potential for shrink-swell action due to mudstone

3. Site C: Quaternary Glacial Deposits

   • Composed of tills (sandy-clays with cobbles and boulders)

   • Heterogeneous, may contain voids and variable strength

   • Areas with alluvium could lead to high settlement and low bearing ground

4. Field Shear Strength Tests & Interpretation

4.1 Method Summary

• Sample depth and location documented

• Tests used: Field vane shear tests for cohesive soils and pocket penetrometer for soft zones

• Standard method followed similar to BS 1377

4.2 Results Summary

• Zone A: Stable, suitable for shallow foundations; results typical of sandstone over glacial till

• Zone B: Moderate strength; caution advised near shallow weathered layers

• Zone C: Low strength area; indicates weak soil, unsuitable for heavy loading without ground improvement

Continued...