Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

Level of Unit in Course

AQF Level(s) of Course

Level of Unit in Course

Introductory

Intermediate

Effective Term:

2024/17

Institute / School :

Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability

Unit Title:

Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering

Unit ID:

ENGIN2204

Credit Points:

15.00

Prerequisite(s):

(ENGIN2301)

Co-requisite(s):

Nil

Exclusion(s):

(ENCIV2330)

ASCED:

030911

Other Change:

Brief description of the Unit

All aspects of geoengineering are considered at an elementary level, as well as basic engineering geology, formation and weathering processes, sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks, the geotechnical spectrum - soil, rock, weathering, deposition cycle, basic soil and rock properties, void ratio, water content, for example, and the two phase model. All materials are assumed to be granular and frictional. The course includes the soil description and geological mapping, rock mass classification, soil classification and phase relationships, stress and strain in soils, stress paths, shear failure of soils and analysis and design of shallow foundation. A clear emphasis on sustainable design will be made.

Grade Scheme:

Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)

Work Experience Indicator:

Placement Component: No

Supplementary Assessment:

Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment

Course Level:

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the unit students will be able to:

Knowledge:

K1.	Recognize the importance of geotechnical engineering in the broader civil engineering discipline

K2.	Identify and Explain various geological features and their effects on geotechnical engineering systems

K3.	Recognize the fundamental principles of soil mechanics

K4.	Explain soil compaction and ground improvement techniques

K5.	Explain soil compressibility and shear strength

Skills:

S1.	Classify and Examine soils for various civil engineering applications

S2.	Explain the effective stress concept and its influence on soil behavior

S3.	Analyze and Design basic earth retaining structures

S4.	Interpret laboratory data to Determine soil physical and mechanical properties

Application of knowledge and skills:

A1.	Solve a range of geotechnical problems involving water flow, soil settlement/consolidation and soil strength

A2.	Measure basic soil properties in the laboratory for soil classification purposes

A3.	Produce reports of geotechnical designs and laboratory test results at a professional standard

Unit Content:

•Geological Processes and Geological Mapping
•Soil Classification for Engineering Purposes
•Soil as a Three-Phase System — Phase Relationships
•Ground Improvement and Soil Compaction
•Stresses and Strains in Soils
•Permeability of Soils
•Shear Strength of Soils
•Compressibility and Settlement of Soils
•Lateral Earth Pressures

Graduate Attributes:

	Learning Outcomes Assessed	Assessment Tasks	Assessment Type	Weighting
1.	K1-K6, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3	Case studies, Laboratory and Field information/ reports based work	Analysis/ evaluation Reports	10 - 20%
2.	K1-K6, S1-S4, A1-A3	Stress distribution in soils, soil strength and compressibility analysis, bearing capacity of foundations	Written assignment	25 - 45%
3.	K1-K6, S1-S4, A1-A3	All the topics covered in the course will be accessible.	Mid semester and/or End of semester Test(s)	40 - 60%

Adopted Reference Style:

Other (Refer to the library website for more information: IEEE)

Professional Standards / Competencies:

Standard / Competency

Engineers Australia - Stage 1 (Professional): 2017 accreditation & AQF

Attribute			Assessed	Level
1 Knowledge and Skill Base
	1.1 Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline.
		1.1.1 Engages with the engineering discipline at a phenomenological level, applying sciences and engineering fundamentals to systematic investigation, interpretation, analysis and innovative solution of complex problems and broader aspects of engineering practice.	Yes	Introductory
	1.2 Conceptual understanding of the, mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline.
		1.2.1 Develops and fluently applies relevant investigation analysis, interpretation, assessment, characterisation, prediction, evaluation, modelling, decision making, measurement, knowledge management and communication tools and techniques pertinent to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Introductory
	1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
		1.3.1 Proficiently applies advanced technical knowledge and skills in at least one specialist practice domain of the engineering discipline.	Yes	Introductory
	1.5 Knowledge of contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
		1.5.1 Identifies and understands the interactions between engineering systems and people in the social, cultural, environmental, commercial, legal and political contexts in which they operate, including both the positive role of engineering in sustainable development and the potentially adverse impacts of engineering activity in the engineering discipline.	Yes	Introductory
		1.5.2 Is aware of the founding principles of human factors relevant to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Introductory
		1.5.4 Identifies the structure, roles and capabilities of the engineering workforce.	Yes	Introductory
		1.5.5 Appreciates the issues associated with international engineering practice and global operating contexts.	Yes	Introductory
	1.6 Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of contemporary engineering practice in the specific discipline.
		1.6.1 Applies systematic principles of engineering design relevant to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Introductory
		1.6.2 Appreciates the basis and relevance of standards and codes of practice, as well as legislative and statutory requirements applicable to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Introductory
		1.6.3 Appreciates the principles of safety engineering, risk management and the health and safety responsibilities of the professional engineer, including legislative requirements applicable to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Introductory
		1.6.4 Appreciates the social, environmental and economic principles of sustainable engineering practice.	Yes	Introductory
2 Engineering Application Ability
	2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
		2.1.1 Identifies, discerns and characterises salient issues, determines and analyses causes and effects, justifies and applies appropriate simplifying assumptions, predicts performance and behaviour, synthesises solution strategies and develops substantiated conclusions.	Yes	Introductory
		2.1.2 Ensures that all aspects of an engineering activity are soundly based on fundamental principles - by diagnosing, and taking appropriate action with data, calculations, results, proposals, processes, practices, and documented information that may be ill-founded, illogical, erroneous, unreliable or unrealistic.	Yes	Introductory
		2.1.3 Competently addresses engineering problems involving uncertainty, ambiguity, imprecise information and wide-ranging and sometimes conflicting technical and non-technical factors.	Yes	Introductory
		2.1.4 Partitions problems, processes or systems into manageable elements for the purposes of analysis, modelling or design and then re-combines to form a whole, with the integrity and performance of the overall system as the paramount consideration.	Yes	Introductory
		2.1.6 Critically reviews and applies relevant standards and codes of practice underpinning the engineering discipline and nominated specialisations.	Yes	Introductory
		2.1.7 Identifies, quantifies, mitigates and manages technical, health, environmental, safety and other contextual risks associated with engineering application in the designated engineering discipline.	Yes	Introductory
		2.1.8 Interprets and ensures compliance with relevant legislative and statutory requirements applicable to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Introductory
	2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
		2.2.1 Proficiently identifies, selects and applies the materials, components, devices, systems, processes, resources, plant and equipment relevant to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Introductory
		2.2.3 Determines properties, performance, safe working limits, failure modes, and other inherent parameters of materials, components and systems relevant to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Introductory
		2.2.4 Applies a wide range of engineering tools for analysis, simulation, visualisation, synthesis and design, including assessing the accuracy and limitations of such tools, and validation of their results.	Yes	Introductory
		2.2.6 Designs and conducts experiments, analyses and interprets result data and formulates reliable conclusions.	Yes	Introductory
		2.2.7 Analyses sources of error in applied models and experiments; eliminates, minimises or compensates for such errors; quantifies significance of errors to any conclusions drawn.	Yes	Introductory
		2.2.8 Safely applies laboratory, test and experimental procedures appropriate to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Introductory
	2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
		2.3.2 Addresses broad contextual constraints such as social, cultural, environmental, commercial, legal political and human factors, as well as health, safety and sustainability imperatives as an integral part of the design process.	Yes	Introductory
		2.3.4 Is aware of the accountabilities of the professional engineer in relation to the design authority role.	Yes	Introductory
	2.4 Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.
		2.4.3 Accommodates relevant contextual issues into all phases of engineering project work, including the fundamentals of business planning and financial management.	Yes	Introductory
		2.4.5 Is aware of the need to plan and quantify performance over the full life-cycle of a project, managing engineering performance within the overall implementation context.	Yes	Introductory
3 Professional and Personal Attributes
	3.1 Ethical conduct and professional accountability.
		3.1.1 Demonstrates commitment to uphold the Engineers Australia - Code of Ethics, and established norms of professional conduct pertinent to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Introductory
		3.1.3 Understands the accountabilities of the professional engineer and the broader engineering team for the safety of other people and for protection of the environment.	Yes	Introductory
		3.1.4 Is aware of the fundamental principles of intellectual property rights and protection.	Yes	Introductory
	3.2 Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
		3.2.1 Is proficient in listening, speaking, reading and writing English, including: a) comprehending critically and fairly the viewpoints of others; b) expressing information effectively and succinctly, issuing instruction, engaging in discussion, presenting arguments and justification, debating and negotiating to technical and non-technical audiences and using textual, diagrammatic, pictorial and graphical media best suited to the context; c) representing an engineering position, or the engineering profession at large to the broader community; d) appreciating the impact of body language, personal behaviour and other non-verbal communication processes, as well as the fundamentals of human social behaviour and their cross-cultural differences.	Yes	Introductory
		3.2.2 Prepares high quality engineering documents such as progress and project reports, reports of investigations and feasibility studies, proposals, specifications, design records, drawings, technical descriptions and presentations pertinent to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Introductory
	3.3 Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.
		3.3.3 Is aware of broader fields of science, engineering, technology and commerce from which new ideas and interfaces may be may drawn and readily engages with professionals from these fields to exchange ideas.	Yes	Introductory
	3.4 Professional use and management of information.
		3.4.2 Critically assesses the accuracy, reliability and authenticity of information.	Yes	Introductory
	3.5 Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
		3.5.1 Demonstrates commitment to critical self-review and performance evaluation against appropriate criteria as a primary means of tracking personal development needs and achievements.	Yes	Introductory
		3.5.2 Understands the importance of being a member of a professional and intellectual community, learning from its knowledge and standards, and contributing to their maintenance and advancement.	Yes	Introductory
		3.5.3 Demonstrates commitment to life-long learning and professional development.	Yes	Introductory
		3.5.4 Manages time and processes effectively, prioritises competing demands to achieve personal, career and organisational goals and objectives.	Yes	Introductory
		3.5.5 Thinks critically and applies an appropriate balance of logic and intellectual criteria to analysis, judgment and decision making.	Yes	Introductory
	3.6 Effective team membership and team leadership.
		3.6.1 Understands the fundamentals of team dynamics and leadership.	Yes	Introductory
		3.6.2 Functions as an effective member or leader of diverse engineering teams, including those with multilevel, multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural dimensions.	Yes	Introductory