An Introduction to Laboratory Testing of Soils

This online engineering PDH course will introduce you to the principles and practices of laboratory testing of soils. You will learn about index property, permeability, consolidation, and shear strength tests. You will be introduced to dynamic testing methods, and tests on compacted soils. You will learn about laboratory equipment and test procedures. You will learn when the various ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) tests are applicable and how to utilize the test result data.
This 4 PDH onlinecourse is intended for all of the engineers, architects and construction professionals who are involved in building and infrastructure design and construction team.
This PE continuing education course is intended to provide you with the following specific knowledge and skills:
- Learn how dynamic tests are used to evaluate foundation support characteristics under repeated loadings such as a drop forge, traffic, or earthquake; and the associated risks of liquefaction.
- Learn about correlations between index and structural properties showing the probable range of test values and relation of parameters.
- Learn how grain-size analyses may be applied to seepage and drainage problems.
- Learn how permeability of fine-grained soils (undisturbed or compacted) generally is computed from consolidation test data or by direct measurement on consolidation or triaxial shear specimens.
- Learn how one-dimensional consolidation tests with complete lateral confinement are used to determine total compression of fine-grained soil under an applied load.
- Learn how to estimate preconsolidation pressure using graphical determination from a semi-logarithmic pressure-void ratio curve.
- Learn about the coefficient of consolidation.
- Learn how the shear strength of soil is required for the analysis of foundation and earthwork stability problems.
- Learn about the different types of shear tests.
- Learn about direct shear tests.
- Learn about unconfined compression tests.
- Learn about triaxial compression tests.
- Learn about the Unconsolidated-Undrained (UU) or Quick (Q) triaxial compression test.
- Learn about the Consolidated-Undrained (CU) or R triaxial compression test.
- Learn about the Consolidated-Drained (CD) or S triaxial compression test.
In this professional engineering CEU course, you need to review the course document titled, "An Introduction to Laboratory Testing of Soils" .
Upon successful completion of the quiz, print your Certificate of Completion instantly. (Note: if you are paying by check or money order, you will be able to print it after we receive your payment.) For your convenience, we will also email it to you. Please note that you can log in to your account at any time to access and print your Certificate of Completion.