Triaxial testing: The student will be able to describe, explain and apply the correct techniques when performing a consolidated undrained triaxial test. They will have a sound knowledge of the assumptions and approximations in the test method and analysis of the results. They will be able to identify, estimate and compute excess pore pressure and effective stress at any stage of a consolidated undrained triaxial test. They will be able to identify, estimate and compute Skempton's and Henkel's pore pressure parameters. The student will be able to compute the stress path for a CU triaxial test on a fine grained soil in p`- q space and the triaxial plane. They will be able to select the type of triaxial test appropriate to a field situation.

Principles and coupling of consolidation and shear strength. The student will understand the geotechnical time frame and its application to the solution of field problems and be able to carry out short term and long term analyses using the shear strength failure criteria of Mohr - Coulomb. The student will understand the different response of sedimentary and residual soils with respect to New Zealand conditions. The student will be able to estimate the coefficient of lateral stress at rest - Ko, after loading and unloading.

Computational geotechnical engineering. The student will be able to evaluate Skempton's and Henkel's pore pressure parameters from the results of a CU triaxial test on a saturated fine grained soil. The student will be able to calculate using Mathcad the undrained and drained loading stress path for shallow foundations, tanks, embankments and slopes under heavy rainfall and evaluate the proximity to failure. The student will be able to write a Mathcad document to evaluate the rate of consolidation of 1 D layered deposits using an explicit finte difference solution. The student will be able to use Plaxis or Sigma/w to carry out the analysis relevant to a field problem using the correct plane strain, axisymmetric, 3D or 1D solution technique.