Unit of Study CIVL2022 Soil Mechanics and Geotechnics (2024)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Science and Engineering
Placement

No

Unit description

This unit explores the mechanical behaviour of geomaterials and how it impacts geotechnical design. It introduces the different types of geomaterials involved in geotechnical projects and explains how they deform and fail under loads. This knowledge is applied to the design of foundation systems and the quantitative assessment of risk associated with slope instability.

Unit content

Module 1: Geological materials

Module 2: Underground stresses

Module 3: Failure

Module 4: Slope stability control

Module 5: Foundation design

Module 6: Review

Availabilities

Location	Domestic	International
Gold Coast	Term1	Term1
Lismore	Term1	Term1
Online	Term1	Term1

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

characterise different types of geological materials and relate their properties to their behaviour

evaluate stresses and failure in geological materials

account for uncertainty in geotechnical engineering design

work as a team to formulate and present solutions to geotechnical engineering problems

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)

Assessment
Presentation	25%
Calculations	45%
Quiz	30%

Teaching method

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)

Assessment
Presentation	25%
Calculations	45%
Quiz	30%

Teaching method

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)

Assessment
Presentation	25%
Calculations	45%
Quiz	30%

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts

Ian Smith, Wiley Blackwell, Smith’s Elements of Soil Mechanics, 10th edition.

Prescribed Resources/Equipment

No prescribed resources/equipment.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full-fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees.

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