Stabilization of Dakar’s coastal slopes

Project topic: Stabilization of Dakar’s coastal slopes

Ground information about Dakar’s slopes available in the following publication:

Fall, M., Azzam, R., Noubactep, C. (2006): A multi-method approach to study the stability of natural slopes and landslide susceptibility mapping. International Journal of Engineering Geology, 82 (4): 241-263.

This paper contains all technical information about the coastal slope of your study area (Dakar’s slope). Stabilization methods have to be proposed only for the study area shown the aforementioned paper.

Guideline:

Abstract (5 marks):

The abstract is a short summary of the paper that includes the introduction, purpose, methods, results and conclusions. It should be as short as possible and should not exceed 300 words. A rough guide is to use one sentence each for the introduction, objectives and methods, and one sentence for each of the main results or conclusions. For an example, look up a journal, such as the ASCE’s Journal of Geotechnical and Environmental Engineering.

1 Introduction (5 marks)

The introduction should start with a discussion of the importance of the problem. Try to impress the reader by presenting numerical information (such as costs, statistics, population affected, etc.), health effects, etc. to stress the importance of the problem. The discussion within the introduction should start at a general level, then go towards the specifics and lead to the objective or purpose of the term paper, which should be towards the end of the introduction section.

2 Objectives of the study (5 marks)

The objective(s) should be followed by a list of the topics (i.e. sections) covered within the term paper to meet the objectives. This should be the last part of the introduction. As a rule the introduction should be approximately 10% of the entire paper.

3 Background on different methods of slope stabilization (30 marks)

Literature reviews on different methods of slope stabilization. Must use at least five 2012 or later papers from five different referred journals.

4 Proposed stabilization methods for Dakar’s slope (45 marks)

Choose the best method for Dakar’s slope. Explain why this method is the best, and how to operate this method.

Analyze the information, be critical, compare it with the results of different researchers.

5 Conclusions (5 marks)

The material in the conclusions section should be only based on the material discussed within the text. The conclusions should be concise. They should only include the principal results and they can be written in point form. Generally, the conclusions are less than a page in length. The ideas of the conclusions should not appear for the first time within the conclusions, they should be a restatement of ideas already presented within the body of the paper.

References (5 marks)

Other information:

Content

• The topic of the term paper should be very specific. It should be in much greater detail than covered in class, the text, or the references listed above.
• Analyze the information, be critical, compare it with the results of different researchers.
• The term papers must use at least five 2012 or later papers from five different referred journals. A referred journal is one whose technical and research papers have been reviewed prior to publication by two or more respected scientists or engineers to insure the paper is of good quality. Referred journals generally list an editorial board and they don’t have advertisements in the same pages as the technical papers.
• The above number is only a minimum. Frequently you need many more to find five good ones.

Writing style

1. The term paper is a technical report and as such it should be written in technical language as opposed to everyday language. For example, instead of using a word like “done” use “performed”, “conducted”, “completed’, etc. –Avoid words like “nowadays” use currently or presently instead – Instead of ‘won’t” use “will not”
2. The term paper must be specific. If it is stated that something is small, large, thin or thick, quantify it to provide a more clear description. Be specific.
3. It should be written in the third person singular.
4. To keep the readers’ attention, there should be variations in sentence structure (passive versus active, short versus long sentences, etc.).
5. If you are using long sentences make sure that it is readable in one breath. Another danger of long sentences is that they may end up being confusing. To avoid these problems split into shorter sentences and use punctuation marks.
6. Avoid writing in point form; it may add clarity but this term paper is intended to make you practice your writing. Also, it can be done equally well using text.

Figures and tables

1. To help the reader place figures and tables in the page immediately after they are first mentioned in the text.
2. Tables, figures and maps will count towards the max 15 pages
3. Whenever a table, map or figure is extracted from another source, that source should be cited within the title of the table, figure or map OR within a legend in the illustration.
4. Whenever a table or figure is presented to illustrate a point, it should be thoroughly described and discussed. The reader should be left with no questions. Frequently, the information in tables and graphs is not totally self-explanatory, particularly when it is extracted from other sources.
5. When citing a figure within the text consistently use the same form, i.e. Fig. X or Figure X
6. If a table or figure is extracted or copied from another source, the title of the figure or table should cite the source, i.e. followed by: a) source:…. in a s et of brackets; b) after… in a set of brackets. Scanned figures and tables are frequently fuzzy and illegible. Try to minimize this.