UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Applications are invited for the postgraduate programme in Geotechnical Engineering and
Engineering Geology for 2014/2015 to commence in November 2014.
INTRODUCTION
The postgraduate programme in geotechnical engineering and engineering geology is conducted
by the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya. The course consists of course
units conducted through lectures, tutorials, assignments, laboratory classes and research or design
projects.
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya has excellent testing facilities for
laboratory and field work related to Geotechnical Engineering. The course will be taught by a
team of highly qualified academic staff. State of art computer software is available for analytical
and design work.
COURSE STRUCTURE AND DURATION
The taught part of the courses consists of subjects conducted through lectures, tutorials,
assignments, laboratory classes, field classes and design classes and an advanced study/ research.
The courses will be conducted over 3 semesters on Fridays from 1 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8
a.m. to 6 p.m. The research/design study shall be carried out from the first semester and the
progress are continuously evaluated. The list of courses offered are given below.
Site Investigation Practice
Laboratory and Field Exercises
Mechanical Behaviour of Soils
Mechanics of Materials
Basic Geology and geological explorations
Foundation Engineering
Independent Study
Geotechnical Analysis and Design
Engineering Geology and Rock Mechanics
Slope Stability and Earth Retaining Structures
Geotechnical Engineering Practice
Construction Methods and Equipment in Geotechnical Engineering
Advanced Soil Testing, Instrumentation and Monitoring
Theoretical Soil Mechanics
Geo-Hydrology
Problematic Soils
Use of Geotextiles in Geotechnical Design
Advanced Geotechnical Analysis and Design
Environmental Geotechniques
Advanced Research Project

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
(a) Postgraduate Diploma (PG.Dip)
(i) A Bachelors Degree or such other qualification as approved by the Faculty Higher
Degrees Committee as suitable for candidature for PG.Dip., in a field related to the
programme of study.
(b) Degree of Master of the Science of Engineering (MSc.Eng.)/ PG.Dip. in Geotechnical
Engineering
(i) A Bachelors Degree in Engineering specializing in Civil Engineering with first or second
class honours from a recognized university
or
(ii) A Bachelors Degree in Engineering specializing in Civil Engineering with acceptable
posrgraduate qualifications
or
(iii)A Degree or such other qualification as approved by the Faculty Higher Degrees
Committee as suitable for candidature for MSc.Eng./ PG.Dip. with a minimum of one year
experience, after obtaining the Degree or such qualification, in a field related to the
programme of study.
(c) Degree of Master of Science (MSc.)/ PG. Dip. in Engineering Geology
All candidates should have sufficient knowledge in physical sciences to follow the
engineering geology programme. In addition they should posess:
(i) A Bachelors Degree in Science specializing in Geology with first or second class honours
from a recognized university
or
(ii) A Bachelors Degree in Science specializing in Geology with acceptable posrgraduate
qualifications
or
(iii)A Degree or such other qualification as approved by the Faculty Higher Degrees
Committee as suitable for candidature for MSc./ PG.Dip. with a minimum of one year
experience, after obtaining the Degree or such qualification, in a field related to the
programme of study.
ELIGIBILITY
Postgraduate Diploma (PG.Dip.)
Students registered for Postgraduate Diploma are required to obtain a total of 12 credits with a
minimum GPA of 2.75 in taught course units and a research study which will be evaluated
through a written report and a viva-voce. A period of twelve months from the beginning of the
postgraduate course may be sufficient for the successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma.
Degree of Master of the Science (MSc.)/ Degree of Master of the Science of Engineering
(MSc.Eng.)
Those who obtain good grades for the taught course units and demonstrate satisfactory progress in
research project may continue the course up to MSc./ MSc.Eng. degree. In addition to the
requirements at the first three semesters, the student is required to submit a dissertation on a
project study with a substantial research component. They will also be required to give a seminar
and face a viva-voce at the completion of the dissertation in the MSc./ MScEng programme. The
candidates are also strongly encouraged to either present the research material at a national
conference or submit a paper of such standard that is acceptable to be published in a refereed

journal. A period of eighteen months from the beginning of the postgraduate diploma course may
be sufficient for successful completion of the degree. A total of 24 credits (min GPA 3.0) and
successfuly complete a project with substantial research component, equivalent to 4 months full
time study or 6 months part time study.
COURSE FEE
Rs. 200,000.00 for the first year.
Rs. 50,000.00 for the second year and for any additional year (if required)
In addition to above fee a refundable library deposit of Rs. 10,000.00 should be paid at the time of
the registration for the postgraduate programme.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Every application for enrolment must be made on the prescribed form obtained from the Assistant
Registrar, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya. Perfected applications should reach
the Assistant Registrar, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya on or before
30th August, 2014.
The following items should be submitted along with the application:
a. Two letters of recommendation. At least one should be from the applicants teacher at the
University. (Letters of recommendation are considered confidential)
b. Degree/Diploma/Professional membership certificate/s (Photostat copy/copies)
c. Birth certificate (Photostat copy)
d. Letter of consent from the employer (if funded by the employer)
e. Three self addressed envelops (22x10 cm)
f. Four copies of passport-size colour photograph of yourself
Originals of documents of which Photostat copies are submitted should be produced before
admission, on request.
Applicant should arrange to have official copies of transcripts sent direct to the Assistant
Registrar, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya.
In the event of any discrepancy between the name appearing in the applicants
academic/professional/birth certificates and the name given by the applicant in the application, an
affidavit to the effect that the applicant is the one and the same person known by such names
should be sent together with the application form.
Documents submitted in support of an application shall become the property of the University.
Application which are received late/or incomplete in any respect are liable to be rejected.
The applicants will be informed of their acceptance/non-acceptance to the particular postgraduate
programme for which admission has been sought. The University may at its discretion refuse
admission to any applicant.
For further details contact Dr. Deepthi Udakara (Tel: 081 2393518), the coordinator of the
postgraduate programme, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya.
Assistant Registrar/ Faculty of Engineering.

List of Courses
Course
no

CourseTitle

Credit
units

CE641*

Site Investigation Practice

CE642*

Laboratory and Field Exercises

CE645*

Basic Geology and Geological Exploration

CE646*

Foundation Engineering

CE647*

Geotechnical Analysis and Design

CE648*

Engineering Geology and Rock Mechanics

CE649*

Slope Stability and Earth Retaining Structures

CE650

Advanced Soil
Monitoring

CE651*

Theoretical Soil Mechanics

CE652

Geo-Hydrology

CE653

Production of Aggregates in Construction

CE654

Earth and Rockfill Dams

CE655

Construction Methods and Equipment in Geotechnical 2

Engineering

CE656

Problematic Soils and Ground Improvement

CE657

Advanced Geotechnical Analysis and Design

CE658

Environmental Geotechniques

CE659

Geotechnical Engineering Practice

CE660

Design Project

CE661

Research Study

Testing,

Instrumentation

and 3

*Compulsory

Course Description
CE641 Site Investigation Practice
Principles of site investigation, geophysical methods, sounding techniques, direct methods
including drilling, soil sampling, site investigation report, examples.

CE642 Laboratory and Field Exercises

Classification of soils and rocks, shear strength tests, 1-D consolidation, compaction,
geological mapping, field trips

CE645 Basic Geology and Geological Exploration

Rock types, geological processes, geological structures, geomorphology, geology of Sri
Lanka, geological mapping, interpretation of maps, use of stereonets, field exercises.

CE646 Foundation Engineering

Bearing capacity, shallow foundations; mats and rafts, flexible design, deep foundations;
piles and piers, machine foundations, foundations under difficult ground conditions,
provisional structures, construction techniques, improvement of existing foundations.

CE647 Geotechnical Analysis and Design

Stability analysis of slopes, design of retaining walls, design of shallow and deep
foundations, analysis of boundary value problems including; stress-strain and water flow,
embankments and excavations, temporary supports, flexible pavement design, use of
computer software in design.

CE648 Engineering Geology and Rock Mechanics

Suitability of sites for hydraulic structures, highways, etc., construction materials,
engineering classification for rock masses, engineering properties of rocks, laboratory and
field testing of rocks, failure criterion, underground excavations, stereonet applications,
rock supports.

CE649 Slope Stability and Earth Structures

Classification of mass movements, landslides; investigation control and prevention
methods, stability of natural and man-made slopes, limit equilibrium method, use of
stability charts, earth and rockfill dams, lateral earth pressure, retaining walls, case
histories.

CE650 Advanced Soil Testing, Instrumentation and Monitoring

Laboratory testing, computer controlled laboratory testing, field testing, field

instrumentation for load, displacement and pore pressure measurements, monitoring and
interpretation of field measurements, soil parameters for design.

CE651 Theoretical Soil Mechanics

Linear elasticity, non-linear elasticity, plasticity, bound theorems and limit analysis,
critical state, roscoe surface and cam-clay models, hvorslev surface, behaviour of sands,
stress dialatency, behaviour of unsaturated soils, cemented soils, behaviour of soil under
small strain, large strain consolidation, secondary consolidation.

CE652 Geo-Hydrology
Water cycle, occurrence of ground water aquifers, surface and subsurface investigations
for ground water, geological and geomorphological conditions, drilling and well
constructions, hydraulic conductivity and other parameters, pumping tests and well
hydraulics.

CE653 Production of Aggregates in Construction

Selection of quarry sites, quarry planning, overburden removal, design of a bench blast,
rock drills, rock blasting, safe use, transport and storage of explosives, safety and
environmental consideration of quarrying operations, loading and mucking equipment for
quarries, selection of crushers, screening, testing aggregates, stream deposits, sand mining.

CE654 Earth and Rockfill Dams

Functions, stability, types of earth and rockfill dams, controlling factors in selection of
dam type, main features in design, influence of pore water pressure and use of drains and
filters, construction aspects, construction problems, impounding and drawdown,
instrumentation and monitoring, case histories.

CE655 Construction Methods and Equipment in Geotechnical Engineering

Selection, costing and productivity estimation of equipment, methods and equipment used
for soil stabilization and compaction, tractors and related equipment for geotechnical
investigations, excavating equipment, mucking equipment, tunneling, grouting, piles and
pile driving equipment, pumping, systems approach to planning and application, field
visits.

CE656 Problematic Soils and Ground Improvement

Types and identification of problematic soils, properties of problematic soils, concepts of
ground improvement, improvement techniques (compaction: surface and deep, reinforced
earth, granular piles, geotextiles, preloading and vertical drains, dynamic consolidation,
admixtures, etc.), case examples, commercially available machines and materials.

CE657 Advanced Geotechnical Analysis and Design

Introduction to finite difference method and applications, introduction to finite element
method and applications, introduction to boundary element method and applications.

CE658 Environmental Geotechniques

Importance of ground water flow and seepage control in geotechnical engineering,
occurrence of ground water, regional ground water flow, fundamentals of ground water
flow, use of principles of well hydraulics in dewatering, analysis of ground water flow,
water pressure and piping failure, seepage control in dams, seepage flow through rocks,
analysis of water flow through unsaturated soils, dewatering techniques and dewatering
equipment.