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Geotechnical Modelling and Design (CVEN30010)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
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About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Yinghui Tian
email: yinghui.tian@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
Geotechnical Modelling and Design is a capstone subject focusing on expanding knowledge and applying into practical design in geotechnical engineering. This subject strengthens fundamental soil mechanics knowledge and further intensively expands practical geotechnical engineering knowledge and modelling skills. Students will grasp the essential knowledge through lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials and computer workshops, where emphasis is paid on self-learning and problem-solving skills. Students have the opportunity to conduct laboratory experiments to observe water flow in soil and understand the underlying soil mechanism. Students will be provided with training and access to modern geotechnical computer modelling software to simulate practical engineering design problems. Completion of this subject will contribute to equip the students with the relevant knowledge and skills for a competent engineer.
In this capstone subject, students are required to finish a practical design project by applying their knowledge to solve a number of design problems while considering multiple and sometimes conflicting design criteria which aims to strengthen their problem-solving skills. Students will write a technical report for the design project that documents the designs, relevant analysis, and modelling results. This project provides a good opportunity for the student to apply technical knowledge (e.g. soil mechanics, water seepage and slope stability analysis) and strengthen engineering design skills (e.g. problem solving approach, trade-off analysis, data management, software modelling, communications, presentation). This is hoped to prepare them for employment in the industry, as well as future study or research.
This subject builds on knowledge gained in subjects such as Engineering Mathematics, Fluid Mechanics and Earth Processes for Engineering and assumes familiarity with concepts of civil and geotechnical engineering. This subject also delivers introductory material for engineering graduate coursework subjects including Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Hydraulics and Quantitative Environmental Modelling.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Basic soil properties and three phase diagram, stresses in soils, site investigation, permeability and seepage, flow nets, the effect of seepage on stability, slope stability principles, landslides, design and remediation, trade-off analysis in engineering design, computer modelling to solve engineering design problems.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject the student will be able to:
- Apply geotechnical principles and use a system approach to solve engineering design problems, including design problem definition, potential solutions identification and evaluation, analysis and conceptual design;
- Use software modelling to assist designing and critically evaluate the software outputs;
- Analyse the different design schemes and identify their performance;
- Communicate technical issues, and solutions clearly and effectively and professionally compose technical reports.
Generic skills
- Ability to apply basic knowledge of science and engineering in engineering design.
- Ability to tackle complex engineering design problems, including problem formulation, solution evaluation and solution selection.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively and write technical report.
- Ability to manage data efficiently.
- Ability to function effectively as an individual and in a team.
- Being creative and innovative and becoming aware of multiple and sometimes conflicting design objectives and criteria in real-world engineering projects.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into or selection of one of the following:
- Civil specialisation (formal) in the MC-ENG Master of Engineering
- Environmental specialisation (formal) in the MC-ENG Master of Engineering
- MC-ARCHENG Master of Architectural Engineering
- MC-CIVENG Master of Civil Engineering
OR
All of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ENEN20002 | Earth Processes for Engineering |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
ENGR30002 | Fluid Mechanics |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
OR
All of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ENEN20002 | Earth Processes for Engineering |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
ENGR30001 Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Operational knowledge of Excel.
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: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
One design project with an individual report not exceeding 20 pages excluding appendices. (report to be submitted in Week 12). Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 to 4 are addressed.
| Week 12 | 50% |
One individual laboratory report (4 pages). ILOs 1, 2 and 4 are addressed in the report.
| Mid semester | 10% |
One written examination. ILOs 1, 2, and 4 are addressed in the examination
| During the examination period | 40% |
Additional details
Hurdle requirement: Students must pass both the assignment and exam components to pass the subject.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Yinghui Tian Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours Up to 50 hours (Lectures up to 24 hours per semester, Tutorials/ Workshops up to 24 hours per semester and Laboratory practical session of 2 hours per semester) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 25 July 2022 to 23 October 2022 Last self-enrol date 5 August 2022 Census date 31 August 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 23 September 2022 Assessment period ends 18 November 2022 Semester 2 contact information
Yinghui Tian
email: yinghui.tian@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
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, lectures in conceptual design and geotechnical engineering will be presented supplementing the basic technical knowledge required to undertake the design project. 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, lectures will focus on the systems approach to solving engineering design problem, with the assistance of optimisation techniques. Students will also be provided with an engineering design project at the beginning of the semester which they need to consistently work throughout the duration of the subject. Details of the design project and all necessary knowledge required, including the use of relevant software, will be provided during related lecture, tutorial and workshop sessions.
INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCESA 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 software tools used in the design project and some online material.
CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
The main link with this subject is that students will be able to develop many of the essential skills required for careers in engineering design, including both specific technical skills in geotechnical and hydraulic engineering and transferable skills such as problem solving, modelling, design and communication. The software tools used in the project are 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 Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Specialisation (formal) Civil Specialisation (formal) Civil with Business Specialisation (formal) Structural Major Civil Engineering Systems Major Civil Engineering Systems Major Engineering Systems - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Links to additional information
There are no specifically prescribed texts for this subject. Some reading material will be recommended throughout the semester. Self-research and reading of relevant material is required.
- 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
- 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: 11 April 2024