This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of tropical peat and soft soil engineering, with emphasis on the unique characteristics, engineering behaviour, and sustainable management of peat soils in tropical regions. Students will explore the formation and development of peatlands, classification of peat and organic soils, and the index properties that distinguish peat from conventional mineral soils. The course further examines the shear strength, deformation characteristics, settlement behaviour, and hydraulic properties of peat, highlighting their implications for civil engineering design and construction.
Students will also be exposed to various ground improvement techniques and construction methods commonly adopted for infrastructure development on peatlands, including preloading, prefabricated vertical drains, deep soil mixing, pile foundations, geosynthetics, and lightweight fill materials. In addition, the course addresses the ecological functions of peatlands, peatland hydrology, carbon sequestration, environmental impacts of land development, and the integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into engineering practice. Through case studies and practical examples, students will develop the knowledge and analytical skills required to evaluate engineering challenges and propose sustainable solutions for infrastructure development on tropical peat and soft soils while balancing technical, environmental, and socio-economic considerations.