Trimester 2

b)     Module’s aim and content in brief

This module teaches the principles of Soil mechanics and foundation, earth moving machinery and construction technology. At the end of this module students would have clear understanding of soil mechanics and foundation, construction technology, earth moving machines and application of acquired knowledge . The module focuses on lectures, field visits, and solving practical problems.

c) Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

1. Types, operation and maintenance of earth moving machinery.
2. Understanding of soil mechanics and foundations of structures;
3. Describe construction techniques and their application;

Cognitive/intellectual skills/application of knowledge

When this module will be successfully completed the learner will be able to:

      1. Apply knowledge and skill in rural construction.

2. Demonstrate appropriate farming construction techniques.
3. Apply principles and techniques of soil mechanics and foundation for rural construction

Communication /ict/numeracy/analytic techniques/practical skills

            Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to:

1. Express clearly in the soil mechanics, foundations, construction technologies and earth moving machinery.

2. Develop an interest in pursuing rural construction.
3. Demonstrate practical skills learnt in Express clearly in the  soil mechanics, foundations, construction technologies and earth moving machinery.
4. Provide practical solutions to problems in use of earth moving machinery.
5. Be analytical, coherent and logical in presenting cases in Express clearly in the  soil mechanics, foundations, construction technologies and earth moving machinery.

General transferable   skills

            illsHaving successfully completed the module, students should be able to:

1. Select the appropriate earth moving machines and understand their operation and maintenance.

2. Assess soil mechanical properties and its application in field.
3. Selection and design of appropriate foundation as per requirement
4. Understanding of different construction techniques for quality and cost effective constructions

d)     Facilitators and their contact

Mr. Mugwaneza Francois  – Earth Moving Machinary

Email: fmugwaneza2001@yahoo.fr                             Mobile: +250-788519447

Mr. …………………… Visitor – Construction Technology

Email:                                                                           Mobile: +250-

Mr. …………………….Visitor  – Soil Mechanics and Foundation

 Email:                                                                           Mobile: +250-

e)     Module Syllabus (Indicative Content)

 1. Earth moving machinery (Theory): Introduction – factors to be considered in land development, Type of terrain to be cleared – Desert – Bushy land clearance– Upland wood – Tropical Rain forest – Tree cutting machinery. Factors to be considered in determining methods and equipment – Vegetation, soil condition topography, rainfall and climate, end use of land,  Land clearing machines and attachments, Bulldozer Blade – V Blade -  Tree pusher – Rakes – Rock/root rake, Blade rake, clearing and stacker rakes, clamp rake, wheel root rake, wake rake, heavy duty clearing rake – rock bucket – Root ploughs – Disc harrow, Grading operation, Bull dozers – Tractor – buck scraper – Graders, Land smoothening Equipment for making ridges and ditches, Bullock drawn bund farmer – Tractor drawn disc rider – Excavator-Types and uses-Cranes and uses.

Practical: To visit the area where earth moving machinery are in operation, To operate tractor drawn furrower, To visit the workshops of heavy earth moving machinery.

 2.     Construction technology (Theory): Pre requisite for building construction, General principles of selecting and preparing sites to receive various types of foundation, Design of various building components and their functional requirement, Estimating and costing. Strength of materials and force analysis of diffident components of buildings including dams.  Drawing Shear force diagram and Bending moment diagram. Principle of damp-proofing in building, Floors – function – types ,  Masonry wall – function – construction, Types, principles and rules governing stair construction and the method of  constructing staircases in timber, steel and concrete, Types of roofs ceiling structures and coverings

 Practical: Visit of local buildings to study their components, Drawing Shear force diagram and Bending moment diagram. Drawing buildings (Plan-Elevation-Isometric view, Exercise on estimate of material quantity and cost.

.3.      Soil mechanics and foundation (Theory): Introduction, Basic concept of Soil and its formation. Definition of Soil Mechanics and its application in Engineering Works, Basic physical and engineering properties of Soil.  Atterberg limits. Determination of Index Properties of Soil, Consistency of Soil: Fundamental concept of Liquid limit, plastic limit and shrinkage limit and their determination in the laboratory. Stress and strain in soils. Mohr cycle, Types of stress. Shear strength Theory of compression, settlement and consolidation. Slopes and retaining walls. Bearing capacity and types of foundations.

 Practical: Laboratory testing of soil consistency, compaction test. To visit sites under construction and study the foundations.

f)      Forums

 Students are given ample opportunities to present assignments in power points about different topics of the syllabus proposed. They have general and technical communications in seminars.

 g)     Teaching and Learning activities and resources (for general and not specific purposes)

 The learning and teaching strategy will comprise: lectures, exercise, assignments, field visit and the study of Soil mechanics, different types of foundations and their suitability, construction techniques and earth moving machines, their use, operation and maintenance. Assignments and self reading exercises will be given in order to encourage the students to read the study notes and to illustrate the application of the concept to explicit practical problems.

 Tutorial problems are solved in-group work (each group consists of not more than 10 students), presented and discussed in class aiming at encouraging student to participate in the teaching and learning process. Lecture notes are provided in soft and/or hard copies. The e-learning methodology will be encouraged.

Indicative Resources - Background Texts (include number in library or URL) (inc. ISBN)

Core text: 

 Physical resources

• Farm infrastructures
• Different building materials and their uses;
• Fabrication of small objects
• Visit of carpentry and blacksmith workshop.
• Laptop
• Projector
• Mini-drafter
• Drawing board.

Books

v Building construction B.C. Punmia, Ashok Kumar Jain and Arun Kumar Jain

v Construction technology Roy Choudhari

v Construction technology  Madan Mehta

v Building construction, Sushil Kumar, 2003

v Rural Building Reference book, Stichting Kongregate, 1986

v Civil engineering Drawing, Gurcharan Singh, 2004

v Other relevant books of renowned authors

Websites for further reference

CAVM, Busogo and Nyagatare library collections

Civil Engineering websites