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Geotechnical Engineering (CVEN90050)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 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 1
Dr Mahdi Miri Disfani
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
Soil and rock are among the most important civil engineering materials. They form the foundations of all structures, can be rearranged to provide a topography to suit particular needs like embankments for road and railways, can form a structure in its own right when used for levee banks or dam walls, or may need to be removed to allow access such as with tunnels and cuttings. Students completing this unit should understand how to make simplifications to complex soil conditions, how to establish strength/deformation characteristics of the soil and how to apply fundamental geomechanics knowledge learned in earlier units to solve problems involving the stability of an earth mass for these various situations. Graduates from this subject will be able to work under the guidance of a chartered engineer to design and supervise construction of a range of geotechnical structures such as foundations, roads, and retaining walls.
This subject builds directly on knowledge from a range of undergraduate and postgraduate subjects in the areas of mathematics, statistics, earth processes, and fluid mechanics. It also draws on knowledge of sustainability and management to provide context for problems.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Topics covered include a detailed review of pore-water pressures and effective stress, soil strength and compressibility (direct shear and triaxial testing, and others), consolidation, compaction and their applications to geotechnical design in selected areas, rigid and flexible earth retaining structures, reinforced soil walls, pavements, introduction to liquefaction, and introduction to geothermal energy.
Intended learning outcomes
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILO)
On completion of this subject the student is expected to:
- Make simplifications to complex soil conditions
- Establish strength/deformation characteristics of soil
- Apply fundamental geomechanics knowledge learned in earlier units to solve problems involving the stability of an earth mass.
Generic skills
- Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals
- Ability to communicate effectively, not only with engineers but also with the community at large
- Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
- Ability to utilise systems approach to design and operational performance
- Ability to function effectively as an individual in multi-disciplinary and multicultural teams, with the capacity to be a leader or manager as well as an effective team member
- Expectation of the need to undertake lifelong learning and the capacity to do so
- Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning
- Intellectual curiosity and creativity, including understanding of the philosophical and methodological bases of research activity.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Students must have completed BOTH of the following subjects, or equivalent to enrol in this subject:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ENEN20002 | Earth Processes for Engineering |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
CVEN30010 | Systems Modelling and Design |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Students cannot gain credit for this subject and:
- 421-306 Geotechnical Engineering
Recommended background knowledge
Learning in this subject will be assisted by knowledge gained in the following subject:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
CVEN90044 | Engineering Site Characterisation | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
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: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Three 1000 word assignments (10% each) due throughout the semester. Each assignment requires approximately 13-15 hours of work. These assignments may use data from laboratory tests. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1, 2 and 3 are addressed in these assignments
- Two 45-minute online tests (5% each) throughout the semester. ILOs 1, 2 and 3 are addressed in the tests
- One 3-hour examination (60%) of the end of semester. ILOs 1, 2 and 3 are addressed in the exam
Hurdle requirement: Students must pass the final exam to pass the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Mahdi Miri Disfani Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 53 hours (Lectures: 3 hours per week; Tutorial: 1 hour per week; Laboratory: 5 hours per semester) Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 26 February 2018 to 27 May 2018 Last self-enrol date 9 March 2018 Census date 31 March 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 4 May 2018 Assessment period ends 22 June 2018 Semester 1 contact information
Dr Mahdi Miri Disfani
Time commitment details
200 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Course notes will be made available in LMS or for purchase from the University Bookroom.
- Subject notes
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
The subject is based principally on lectures and tutorials; and the critical reading of prescribed textbooks, lecture notes, and selected papers. Depending on availability of site constructions with works related to the subject objectives, a site visit co-organised by lecturers and experienced industry professionals is also implemented to reinforce some concepts learnt in the classrooms. Laboratory sessions are used to complement the fundamentals of strength (tri-axial) and compressibility (consolidation) testing and analysis.
INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
Course notes will be made available in LMS or for purchase from the University Bookroom, as well as selected journal articles, references to relevant AS/NZ and/or ASTM standards.
CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
Experienced industry professionals and specialist contractors present during site visits and provide background material about the construction sites and projects (acting as case studies). These site visits are undertaken to enhance students understanding of typical geotechnical works, particularly in excavations and earth retaining structures. - Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Philosophy - Engineering Course Master of Architectural Engineering Course Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering Course Ph.D.- Engineering Specialisation (formal) Civil Specialisation (formal) Structural Specialisation (formal) Civil with Business Specialisation (formal) Environmental - 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: 3 November 2022