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Systems Modelling and Design (CVEN30010)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Prof. Stephan Matthai
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
This subject contains capstone design projects with an emphasis on geotechnical and hydraulic engineering and includes a hydrological component. Students will be given briefings on special topics in geotechnical but there will be emphasis put on self-learning. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the principles governing the flow of water through soil and its consequent impact on failure of soil structures such as occurs in landslides. Computer models to investigate these areas and laboratory experiments illustrating these phenomena will also be conducted.
A final capstone design project combining geotechnical and hydraulic engineering will require students in the Civil Systems Major to apply their knowledge to realistic design problem preparing them for employment in the construction industry. Students will be required to write this work up as a technical report that documents the designs, relevant data, and construction plans. This subject builds on knowledge gained in subjects such as Fluid Mechanics and Earth Processes for Engineering and assumes a familiarity with concepts of sustainability and engineering systems. The subject builds knowledge for the professional masters degree subjects Geotechnical Engineering and Civil Hydraulics.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Stresses in soils, permeability and seepage, flow nets, the effect of seepage on stability, slope stability principles, surface runoff, landslides, methods of analysis, design and remediation, the use of computer models to solve seepage and slope stability problems in the engineering design process.
Intended learning outcomes
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILO)
On completion of this subject the student is expected to:
1. Interpret a design problem, develop criteria (technical, economic and environmental) to evaluate solutions, and develop conceptual solutions to the problem
2. Use software to assist in designing hydraulic and geotechnical structures
3. Critically evaluate the output of design software
4. Demonstrate competency in communicating technical issues in engineering laboratory and design reports
5. Begin to analyse the influence of engineering materials on design performance
6. Present outcomes of the design project in the technical report form.
Generic skills
- Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals
- Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
- Proficiency in engineering design
- Ability to utilise a systems approach to complex problems, and to design and assess performance
- Ability to communicate effectively
- Ability to manage information and documentation
- Ability to conduct an engineering project
- Ability to function effectively as an individual and in teams
- Capacity for creativity and innovation.
Last updated: 20 May 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission to the MC-ENG Master of Engineering (Civil)
OR
Admission to the MC-ENG Master of Engineering (Environmental)
OR
Both of the following subjects:
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENEN20002 | Earth Processes for Engineering | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ENGR30002 | Fluid Mechanics |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Please note: Students who completed ENGR30001 Fluid Mechanics & Thermodynamics are NOT required to complete ENGR30002 Fluid Mechanics
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 20 May 2023
Assessment
Additional details
- One design report (50%) 3500 words, due at or close to the end of semester, requiring approximately 50 hours of work. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 to 6 are addressed in the report
- One laboratory reports (10%) (1000 words) due around mid-semester, the report requires approximately 5 hours of work. ILOs 4 and 5 are addressed in the reports
- One 2-hour written examination (40%) end of semester. ILOs 1, 3, 4 and 5 are addressed in the examination
Hurdle requirement: Students must pass both assignment, design project and examination components to pass the subject.
Last updated: 20 May 2023
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Stephan Matthai Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours up to 52 hours (Lectures: 24 hours per semester; Workshops: 16 hours per semester; Laboratory sessions: 2 hours per semester) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 Semester 2 contact information
Prof. Stephan Matthai
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 20 May 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Subject notes
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
Over approximately the first half of the semester, separate lectures in both geotechnical engineering will be presented supplementing the basic technical knowledge required to undertake the design projects. Worked examples will be provided at various times to illustrate the application of that knowledge. Students will also undertake one laboratory session during this period so that they can get some hands-on experience with seepage in soils. Over the last few weeks of the semester, students will be provided with an engineering design project. Details of the design project and all necessary knowledge necessary, including the usage of the software, will be provided during workshops.
INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
A range of references will be provided to allow students to back up the basic information provided in lectures. This material will include specifically prepared notes on selected topics, PowerPoint presentations, worked design examples, manuals for the software used in the design projects and online tutorials for this software.
CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
The main link with this subject is that students will be able to develop many of the essential modelling and design skills typically required for careers in engineering design, not only in generic terms but also specifically in terms of geotechnical and hydraulic engineering. The software used in the projects undertaken is widely used in industry.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Architectural Engineering Informal specialisation Bachelor of Design Elective Subjects Major Civil Systems Specialisation (formal) Civil Major Environmental Engineering Systems Informal specialisation Master of Engineering (Civil with Business) Informal specialisation Master of Engineering (Environmental) Informal specialisation Master of Engineering (Structural) Specialisation (formal) Structural Informal specialisation Master of Engineering (Civil) Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. Specialisation (formal) Civil with Business Major Civil Systems Major Engineering Systems Specialisation (formal) Environmental Informal specialisation Environments Discipline subjects - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
Last updated: 20 May 2023