Overview

This unit of study aims to introduce engineering students to the fundamentals and basic techniques used in Geotechnical Engineering. In particular, it aims to introduce students to design and construction principles of Civil / Geotechnical Engineering type structures such as earth retaining structures, shallow foundations, residential slabs and footings, deep foundations, and the assessment of stability for sloping ground.

Requisites

Prerequisites
CVE20004 Geomechanics
Teaching Periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
26-February-2024
26-May-2024
Last self-enrolment date
10-March-2024
Census date
31-March-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
12-April-2024
Results released date
02-July-2024

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Analyse earth retaining structures to determine active, passive and at rest lateral earth pressures (and associated forces) based on Mohr circles and the Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria of soils. (K1, K2, K3, K6, S1, S2, S3)
  • Determine bearing capacities for shallow foundations and be able to design suitable footing systems for various soil conditions based on strength and settlement criteria. (K1, K2, K3, K6, S1, S2, S3)
  • Appreciate the soil – structure interaction model for residential slab footings and active type soils, and thus be able to predict ground movement and select appropriate shallow footing systems for residential structures and design them in accordance with Australian Standard AS2870 for various sites and soil conditions. (K1, K2, K3, K4, K6, S1, S2, S3, A2, A7)
  • Design deep foundations based on strength and settlement criteria for various sites and soils conditions. (K1, K2, K3, K6, S1, S2, S3)
  • Analyse sloping ground against slope failure and assess the factor of safety using multiple methods of analysis. (K1, K2, K3, K6, S1, S2, S3)
  • Conduct a basic technical investigation by performing a literature review, compile and analyse the information gathered, and produce a brief and concise (journal style) report with an appropriate conclusion. (A2, A4, A5, A7)
  • Perform a brief and concise oral presentation of technical material, which simulates a conference style presentation. (A2, A4, A5, A7)

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Lecture
3.00 12 weeks 36
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Tutorial
2.00 12 weeks 24
Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Independent Learning
7.50 12 weeks 90
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssignmentGroup 15% 
ExaminationIndividual 60% 1,2,3,4,5 
Online QuizzesIndividual 10% 1,2,4 
Research AssignmentGroup 15% 6,7 

Hurdle

As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all ULOs to a minimum standard, an undergraduate student must have achieved:

(i) an aggregate mark of 50% or more, and(ii) at least 40% in the final exam.Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirement (ii) will receive a maximum of 45% as the total mark for the unit.""As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all Unit Learning Outcomes to a minimum standard, a student must achieve:(i) an aggregate mark of 50% or more, and(ii) at least 40% in the final exam.Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirement (ii) will receive a maximum of 45% as the total mark for the unit.

Content

  • Lateral Earth Pressures and Design of Retaining Walls
  • Bearing Capacity and Design of Shallow Foundations
  • Residential Slabs and Footings Design to AS2870
  • Piling and Design of Deep Foundations
  • Slope Stability Analysis

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.