MAPÚA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

School of Civil, Environmental and Geological Engineering

VISION
Mapúa shall be a global center of excellence in education by:
 providing instructions that are current in content and state-of-the-art in delivery,
 engaging in cutting-edge, high-impact research; and
 aggressively taking on present-day global concerns

MISSION
a. The mission of Mapua Institute of Technology is to disseminates, generates, preserves and applies knowledge in
various fields of study.
b. The Institute, using the most effective and efficient means, provides its students with highly relevant professional and
advanced education in preparation for and furtherance of global practice
c. The Institute engages in research with high socio-economic impact and reports on the results of such inquiries.
d. The Institute brings to bear humanity’s vast store of knowledge on the problems of industry and community in order
to make the Philippines and the world a better place.

MISSION
PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
a b c d
1.Graduates shall practice as successful geologists/geological engineers for
   
the advancement of society.

2.To promote professionalism in geology/geological engineering practice.    

COURSE SYLLABUS

1. Course Code : GEO191

2. Course Title : Earthworks & Slopes

3. Pre-requisite : GEO181D-Engineering Project Design 1

4. Co-requisite : None

5. Credit/Class Schedule : 2.0 units/3 hrs. Lecture

6. Course Description : The course involves design of open and underground excavation, acceptability of materials for
embankment construction, use of fills. Improvement of unacceptable materials, stability of natural and constructed slopes,
methods of slope stability analysis, numerical modelling techniques applied to earthworks and slopes, monitoring of slopes, slope
protection techniques, practical methods of improving slope stability.

7. Student Outcomes and Relationship to Program Educational Objectives

Program Educational
Student Outcomes Objectives
1 2
(a) An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering 
An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and
(b) 
interpret data
An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired
(c) 
needs
(d) An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams  

(e) An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems 

Course Title: Date Date Revised: Prepared by: Reviewed by: Approved by:
Effective:

Earthworks and 1st Quarter May 2014 Celestino C. Guillerma Dr. Francis
Slopes SY 14-15 Avis Jayne T. Aldrine A. Uy Page 1 of 5
Atienza Dean, School of
Geol Eng’g CEGE
Cluster Head
 (f) An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility 

(g) An ability to communicate effectively  

The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering

(h)  
solutions in a global and societal context
A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long
(i)  
learning
(j) A knowledge of contemporary issues  

An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools

(k)  
necessary for engineering practice.

Knowledge and understanding of engineering and management principles

(l) as a member and leader in a team, to manage projects and in  
multidisciplinary environments

8. Course Outcomes (COs) and Relationship to Student Outcomes

Course Outcomes Student Outcomes*

After completing the course, the student must be able to: a b c d e f g h i j k l
1. Explain the basic concepts and principles of earthworks & slope for
engineering application. I I I I
2. Understand the acceptability and improvement methods of fill
materials for embankment in accordance to specifications.
Understand the risks involves in open and underground I I I I I
excavations. Understanding earthworks and slope protection
techniques.
3. Solve practical problems encountered in open and underground
excavation by understanding the groundwater behaviour and
R R R I R I
materials. Solve practical slope instability problems by means of
numerical modelling techniques.
4. Apply the general concepts of wall stabilization and groundwater
lowering techniques including design of wall excavation, wall
D R I D R I
supports such as tie back/anchors and shotcrete facing. Design
slope protection, earthworks quality assurance and monitoring.
* Level: I- Introduced, R- Reinforced, D- Demonstrated

9. Course Coverage
WEEK COURSE OUTCOMES TOPICS TLA AT
Orientation and Introduction to the Course
Discussion on COs, TLAs, and ATs of the
1 course Dialogue

Overview on student-centered learning and

eclectic approaches to be used in the
course

CO1: Explain the basic Introduction to Earthworks & Slope  Lecture  Activity 1
concepts and principles  Class Discussion  Examination 1
of earthworks and slope Appreciation of Geological Application in  Working through
for engineering Civil Engineering Practice sample problems
application in solving  Geological Materials Used in  Board works
practical engineering Construction
problems  Geologic, Planning and Development
 Geology & Construction
2-3 CO2: Understand the Excavation, Grading, and Compacted Fill  Lecture  Activity 2
methods of excavation,  Class Discussion  Examination 2
 Earthwork Construction Objectives,
grading, earthworks,  Working through
Methods & Equipment
selection and quality sample problems
 Earthmoving, Transport & Placement
control of compacted

Course Title: Date Date Revised: Prepared by: Reviewed by: Approved by:
Effective:

Earthworks and 1st Quarter May 2014 Celestino C. Guillerma Dr. Francis
Slopes SY 14-15 Avis Jayne T. Aldrine A. Uy Page 2 of 5
Atienza Dean, School of
Geol Eng’g CEGE
Cluster Head
 fills in accordance to  Compaction Methods & Grading
standard specifications.  Compaction Concepts
 Compaction Standard & Specifications
 Field Monitoring & Quality Assurance
 Selection for Suitability of Soils for Use
as Compacted Fills
 Earthworks Quantity Computations
4 CO2: Understand the Open Excavations  Lecture  Activity 3
method for open  Class Discussion  Examination 3
 Method of Excavation
excavation including  Working through
 Groundwater Control
wall stabilization and sample problems
groundwater control.  Method of Slope Control and
Stabilization
 Excavation Supports
CO2: Understand the Underground Excavations  Lecture
method for  Class Discussion
 Geologic Conditions and Tunneling
underground  Working through
 Conditions in Tunneling
excavation including sample problems
tunnelling safety  Groundwater Control
measures, tunnel  Tunneling Support System
stabilization and
groundwater control.
5 CO2: Understand the Rock Excavation Characterization Method &  Lecture  Activity 4
method for rock Rippability Characteristics  Class Discussion  Examination 4
excavation and  Working through
 Rock Excavation Program & Method
characterization sample problems
 Rippability Characterization of Rock
including rippability
characteristics.
6 CO2: Understand the Earthworks  Lecture  Activity 5
basic concepts of  Class Discussion  Examination 5
 Earthworks Overview
earthworks including  Working through
 Slope Regrading
specifications for sample problems
compacted fill  External & Infill Buttresses
 Replacement Buttress
 Shear Key
 Earthworks Specifications for
Compacted Fill
7-8 CO2: Understand the Slope Protection Design  Lecture  Activity 6
basic approach to  Class Discussion  Examination 6
 Basic Approach to Mitigate Slope
mitigate slope failures  Working through
Failures
including sample problems
 Countermeasures Against Soil Slope
countermeasures
Collapse
CO3: Solve practical  Countermeasures Against Rock Slope
problems encountered Collapse
in slope protection and  Example of Countermeasures Design
introduce
countermeasures

CO4: Apply/Design
Countermeasures
suitable for the failure.
9-10 CO3: Solve practical Tiebacks and Anchors for Walls  Lecture  Activity 7
problems encountered  Class Discussion  Examination 7
 Contracting Procedures
in wall stabilization  Working through
 Tieback Materials
using tieback anchors sample problems
and shotcrete facing  Testing & Protection
based on geological  Design of Tie-backs and Anchors
environment  Design of shotcrete Facing
 Execution and Construction
CO4: Apply/Design the
required materials for
execution.
11  Final Examination Week
 Submission of Case Study

10. Contribution of Course to Meeting the Professional Component

Course Title: Date Date Revised: Prepared by: Reviewed by: Approved by:
Effective:

Earthworks and 1st Quarter May 2014 Celestino C. Guillerma Dr. Francis
Slopes SY 14-15 Avis Jayne T. Aldrine A. Uy Page 3 of 5
Atienza Dean, School of
Geol Eng’g CEGE
Cluster Head
 Engineering Topics : 85 %
General Education component : 15 %

11. Reference Materials

 Engineering Geology by Fred G. Bell, 2007, MIT Library
 Guide to Slope Protection, Japan International Cooperation Agency, 2007
 Tieback in Foundation Engineering and Construction by Harry Schnabel, Jr. 1983, MIT Library
 Landslide in Practice, Derek H. Cornforth, 2005, MIT Library
 Geotechnical Engineering Principles & Practices 2nd Ed. By D.P.Coduto, M.R. Yeung, W.A. Kitch, 2011
 AASTHO Manual on Subsurface Investigation, 1992

12. Course Evaluation

Student performance will be rated based on the following:

Min. Average for

Assessment Tasks Weight Satisfactory
Performance
Quiz 1 11%
CO1 Project 2% 70%
Final Exam 4%
OLA 1 6%
OLA 4 6%
CO2
Quiz 2 11% 70%
Project 5%
Final Exam 8%
OLA 2 6%
OLA 3 6%
Quiz 3 11%
CO3 70%
Quiz 4 11%
Project 5%
Final Exam 8%
TOTAL 100% 70%

The following table will be used in giving the final grades:

Average Below 70.0– 73.3- 76.7- 80.0- 83.3- 86.7- 90.0- 93.3- Above
(%) 70 73.2 76.6 79.9 83.2 86.6 89.9 93.2 96.6 96.7
Final
5.00 3.00 2.75 2.50 2.25 2.00 1.75 1.50 1.25 1.00
grade

Aside from academic deficiency, others grounds for a failing grade are:

 A failing academic standing and failure to take the final exam

 Grave misconduct other than cheating
 Excessive absences ( in excess of 20% of total class hours)

13. Course Policies

a. Attendance
According to CHED policy, total number of absences by the students should not be more than 20% of the total number of
meetings or 9 hrs. for a three-unit course. Students incurring more than 9 hours of unexcused absences automatically gets a
failing grade regardless of class standing.

b. Submission of Assessment Tasks

Late submissions of Learning Activities will not be accepted.

Course Title: Date Date Revised: Prepared by: Reviewed by: Approved by:
Effective:

Earthworks and 1st Quarter May 2014 Celestino C. Guillerma Dr. Francis
Slopes SY 14-15 Avis Jayne T. Aldrine A. Uy Page 4 of 5
Atienza Dean, School of
Geol Eng’g CEGE
Cluster Head
 c. Written Examination
There will be 4 quizzes covering the intended COs. The final examination will be the summative assessment of the three COs
and will have to demonstrate understanding of the course. Test booklet will be used as answer sheet on all written
examinations.

d. Course Portfolio
Selected assessment tools are to be compiled and collected before the end of the term. The selection is based on statistical
data gathering (lowest, median, highest). Learning tasks and examinations with marks lowest, median, and highest must be
photocopied and must be given back to the instructor for course portfolio keeping.

e. Language of Instruction
Lectures, discussion, and documentation will be in English. Written and spoken work may receive a lower mark if it is, in the
opinion of the instructor, deficient in English.

f. Honor, Dress and Grooming Codes

Students must abide with the Dress and Grooming Codes of the Institute.
For this course the Honor Code is that there will be no plagiarizing on written work and no cheating on exams. Proper citation
must be given to authors whose works were used in the preparation of any material for this course. If a student is caught
cheating on an exam, he or she will be given zero mark for the exam. If a student is caught cheating twice, the student will
be referred to the Prefect of Student Affairs and be given a failing grade.

g. Consultation Schedule
Consultation schedules with the Professor are posted outside the CEGE Faculty room. It is recommended that the student first
set an appointment to confirm the instructor’s availability.

14. Course Materials Made Available

Syllabus
Lecture Notes in Earthworks & Slope

15. Committee Members:

Celestino C. Avis ccavis@mapua.edu.ph

Guillerma Jayne T. Atienza gjtatienza@mapua.edu.ph
Marianne V. Fernandez mvfernandez@mapua.edu.ph

Course Title: Date Date Revised: Prepared by: Reviewed by: Approved by:
Effective:

Earthworks and 1st Quarter May 2014 Celestino C. Guillerma Dr. Francis
Slopes SY 14-15 Avis Jayne T. Aldrine A. Uy Page 5 of 5
Atienza Dean, School of
Geol Eng’g CEGE
Cluster Head