Geotechnical Engineering 2

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

   
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Effective Term: 2025/05
Institute / School :Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
Unit Title: Geotechnical Engineering 2
Unit ID: ENGPG9104
Credit Points: 15.00
Prerequisite(s): Nil
Co-requisite(s): Nil
Exclusion(s): (ENGIN3102 and ENGIN3202)
ASCED: 030999
Other Change:  
Brief description of the Unit

This is an intermediate level unit in geotechnical engineering where more in depth knowledge in this field is introduced and basic foundation design skills are excelled.  The topics covered include, geotechnical site investigation practices, an introduction to AS2870 Residential Slabs & Footings, analysis and design of shallow foundations, analysis and design of deep foundations, and analysis of slope stability and design of retaining structures. By the end of this unit, students should be capable of preparing a small-scale site investigation program, classifying residential building sites based on AS2870 and proposing suitable footing systems for residential buildings, design basic shallow and deep foundations under simple loading conditions, as well as analyse soil slope stability and design retaining structures.

Grade Scheme: Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)
Work Experience Indicator:
No work experience
Placement Component:
Supplementary Assessment:Yes
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:
Level of Unit in CourseAQF Level(s) of Course
5678910
Introductory                                                
Intermediate                                        
Advanced                                                
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge:
K1.

Identify and explain the range of important issues in the planning of a detailed geotechnical site investigation program

K2.

Identify and evaluate reactivity characteristics of soils, classification of residential building sites and design of residential building foundations based on AS2870 : Residential Slabs & Footing

K3.

Describe and apply design principles of Shallow foundations, Deep foundations and Retaining walls subjected to different loading conditions & soil conditions

K4.

Explain and analyse soil slope stability

Skills:
S1.

Propose and plan a site investigation for a small to medium scale geotechnical engineering project and produce a technical report to an acceptable professional standard

S2.

Evaluate and justify complex information in classifying residential building sites based on soil reactivity

S3.

Analyse soil-foundation systems, estimate allowable bearing capacity of soils based on established engineering methods and design of simple foundation systems for given loading conditions and soil properties

S4.

Evaluate stability of sloping embankments and design of basic earth retaining structures

Application of knowledge and skills:
A1.

Apply the knowledge, technical and analytical skills to independently analyse and design various geotechnical engineering systems and communicate the achieved outcome

A2.

Apply the advanced technical knowledge and skills in research based problem solving exercises in geotechnical engineering and demonstrate expert judgement required in such assignments

Unit Content:

Topics may include:
1. Geotechnical Site investigation Practices and planning for soil exploration
2. Site Classification and design of Residential building foundations based on AS2870
3. Bearing Capacity Analysis and Design of Shallow Foundations
4. Design of Deep Foundations
5. Soil Slope Stability Analysis
6. Design of Retaining Structures

Graduate Attributes:
 Learning Outcomes AssessedAssessment TasksAssessment TypeWeighting
1.

K1, K2, S1, A1

Geotechnical soil investigation (Field / Laboratory investigations) and preparation of Geotechnical Reports

Field/ Laboratory investigations and reports

10-20%

2.

K2-K3, S2- S4, A1, A2

Design of Residential Building foundations based on AS2870, design of Shallow & Deep foundations & retaining structures

Design reports, presentations

20-50%

3.

K1-K4, S2- S4, A1, A2

Assessment of all or part of the unit by tests/ examination.

Test/ Examination

40-60%

Adopted Reference Style:
IEEE  ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:
 Standard / Competency