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Engineering Site Characterisation (CVEN90044)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
Characterisation of sites is an important step in civil engineering study or design. In order to devise a design for an engineering project a range of contextual factors need to be determined. These include intrinsic aspects of natural and anthropogenic history, such as geological context and former industrial use as well as its environmental considerations. The engineering properties of ground needs to be assessed and understood for the purpose of development. Extrinsic impacts on the site such as the risk of fire, extreme wind loads and earthquake also need to be well understood.
This subject will examine typical technical tools for characterising a site for infrastructure development, covering a range of the above aspects that are relevant to the site and development. In doing so students will learn the skills and an approach to conduct site assessments, including the ability to select the appropriate geo-environmental tools for site investigations.
This subject is part of a trio of subjects that consider different aspects of infrastructure projects; Engineering Site Characterisation studies how to determine the character of a site for a infrastructure project, Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering examines how the project relates to the broader social, political, economic and environmental context, while Engineering Project Implementation concentrates on the operational aspects of implementing a project. Together they form the basis of further professional infrastructure engineering subjects. Students who have completed this subject will have valuable skills to gain engineering work experience.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Basic principles of engineering geology, Site Investigation Techniques, Ground Models (different types of models from conceptual to observational and analytical), The Engineering Geology of Melbourne (and Victoria), GeoHazards (different types, typical geohazards, case studies, risk assessment and risk register), Rock Engineering, Geotechnical site investigations, natural disaster characterisation (fire, wind, earthquakes), introduction to surveying and levelling, in situ testing (soil), geophysical testing and fieldwork, groundwater investigation and exposure to laboratory testing (compaction, permeability and strength).
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject the student is expected to be able to:
- 1. Conduct a simple topographic survey of a site
- 2. Evaluate the soil and geology of the site as it impacts the intended development
- 3. Evaluate the relationships of a site and its intended changes with its neighbours
- 4. Select the appropriate geo-environmental technical tools for site investigations
- 5. Estimate critical design parameters
- 6. Identify, assess and document the risk arising from natural disasters
- 7. Examine planning requirements
- 8. Write a report to communicate key aspects of the character of a site as it affects the design of changes to the site
- 9. Develop a site investigation plan to better understand the issues and inform design of mitigation measures
Generic skills
- Ability to apply knowledge of science and engineering fundamentals
- Understanding of social, cultural, global, and environmental responsibilities and the need to employ principles of sustainable development
- Ability to utilise a systems approach to complex problems and to design and operational performance
- Ability to communicate effectively, with the engineering team and with the community at large
- Ability to manage information and documentation
- Ability to function effectively as an individual and in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, as a team leader or manager as well as an effective team member
- Capacity for lifelong learning and professional development.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENEN20002 | Earth Processes for Engineering |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Online)
|
12.5 |
Or equivalent
Note: prerequisite does not apply to students admitted to the Masters of Engineering 200 point program.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Online Assignment #1 (individual) Addressing Intended Learning Ouctomes (ILO's) 2,3,4,5.
| Week 8 | 10% |
Online Assignment #2 (individual). ILO 1
| Week 11 | 5% |
Individual Assignment #1-Short Technical Report . ILO's 6 & 8
| Week 12 | 5% |
Group Design Portfolio-Technical Industry Accepted Report on Fisherman Bend Development; done in stages for a final submission in Week 10. ILO's 2 - 8.
| Week 10 | 30% |
One written open book examination ILO's 1 -9
| During the examination period | 50% |
| Hurdle requirement: Students must attend 6 out of the 8 tutorial sessions held across the last 8 weeks. | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Mahdi Miri Disfani Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 59 hours (Lectures: 39 hours per semester; Workshops: 16 hours ; Online tutorials: 4 hours per semester) Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 1 March 2021 to 30 May 2021 Last self-enrol date 12 March 2021 Census date 31 March 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 7 May 2021 Assessment period ends 25 June 2021 Semester 1 contact information
Dr Mahdi Miri Disfani
mahdi.miri@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
200 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Mayne, P.W.; Christopher, B.R., and DeJong, J.T. 2002, Manual on Subsurface Investigations FHWA Publication No. FHWA NHI-01-031, 294 pp. (available on LMS)
Recommended texts and other resources
- Clayton, C.R.I.; Matthews, M.C., and Simons, N.E. 1995 Site investigation Oxford [England] ; Cambridge, Mass., USA : Blackwell Science, vii, 584 pp (available on LMS)
- Local Geology and Geotechnical Problems, Notes by Professor Ian Johnston, (Available on LMS)
- Guide to the investigation and sampling of sites with potentially contaminated soil Australian Standard AS 4482.1 – 2005 (available from UoM library)
- Australian Standard AS 1726 – 1993, Geotechnical site investigations (available from UoM library)
- Australian Standard AS 1289.6.3.2 – 1997, Methods of testing soils for engineering purposes; Method 6.3.2: Soil strength and consolidation tests—Determination of the penetration resistance of a soil—9 kg dynamic cone penetrometer test (available from UoM library)
- Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1170.2 – 2002, Structural Design Actions: Part 2 – Wind Actions.
- Subject notes
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
The subject is based principally on a mix of lectures, tutorials, fieldwork and laboratory demonstrations. In addition, experienced industry professionals present one or two case studies in their area of expertise and play important roles in some of the fieldworks. Computer laboratories, both guided and self-guided are used to learn dealing with maps (in ArcGIS), engineering site information, noise modelling (in Matlab) and decision making through problem-based learning. A site visit to a geological, environmental and socio-cultural rich location, such as the Stanley and Yarra Bend Parks, exposes students to teamwork and mandatory site visit for site investigations. Demonstration of common laboratory testing completes the variety of learning and teaching methods employed in the subject. Continuous assessment and feedback through almost weekly activities help students to assimilate the varied subject contents.
INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
Prescribed book: Mayne, P.W.; Christopher, B.R., and DeJong, J.T. 2002, Manual on Subsurface Investigations FHWA Publication No. FHWA NHI-01-031, 294 pp. (available on LMS).
In addition, supplementary information can be resourced from other textbooks, standards, class notes, including:
• Clayton, C.R.I.; Matthews, M.C., and Simons, N.E. 1995 Site investigation Oxford [England] ; Cambridge, Mass., USA : Blackwell Science, vii, 584 pp (available on LMS)
• Guide to the investigation and sampling of sites with potentially contaminated soil Australian Standard AS 4482.1 – 2005 (available from UoM library)
• Geotechnical site investigations Australian Standard AS 1726 – 1993 (available from UoM library)
• Methods of testing soils for engineering purposes; Method 6.3.2: Soil strength and consolidation tests—Determination of the penetration resistance of a soil—9 kg dynamic cone penetrometer test Australian Standard AS 1289.6.3.2 – 1997 (available from UoM library)
CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
Experienced industry professionals present one or two case studies in their area of expertise during lectures and play important roles in the conception and delivery of one the fieldworks (boring log and dynamic cone penetrometer testing), exposing students to real-life situations and work experience from both senior and junior industry staff. - Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering Course Ph.D.- Engineering Course Master of Architectural Engineering Course Master of Philosophy - Engineering Specialisation (formal) Structural Specialisation (formal) Civil with Business Specialisation (formal) Environmental Specialisation (formal) Civil - 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
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
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022