Geotechnical Modelling and Design (CVEN30010)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 2
Shubhrajit Maitra
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Geotechnical Modelling and Design is a capstone subject in geotechnical engineering, focusing on strengthening fundamental soil mechanics knowledge and further expanding practical geotechnical engineering knowledge and modelling skills. Students will grasp knowledge through lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials and computer workshops, where emphasis is paid on self-learning and problem-solving skills.
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. 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 to prepare the students 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.
The subject will cover topics such as basic soil mechanics, stresses in soils, effective stress principle, Coulomb failure criteria, 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, and computer modelling to solve engineering design problems.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject the student will be able to:
- SILO1. Describe and analyse geotechnical seepage and the associated engineering hazards;
- SILO2. Describe and analyse slope stability, the associated engineering hazards and stabilisation methods;
- SILO3. Apply geotechnical principles in a geotechnical design project, including defining the design problem, identifying potential solutions, evaluation and analysis;
- SILO4. Apply modelling techniques to assist the design project;
- SILO5. Analyse the different design schemes and identify their performance;
- SILO6. Clearly and effectively communicate technical issues and solutions, and compose professional 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: 9 April 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into or selection of one of the following:
- MC-ARCHENG Master of Architectural Engineering
- MC-CIVENG Master of Civil Engineering
- MC-ENVENG Master of Environmental Engineering
- Civil specialisation (formal) in the MC-ENG Master of Engineering
- Environmental specialisation (formal) in the MC-ENG Master of Engineering
OR
All of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENEN20002 | Earth Processes for Engineering |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| ENGR30002 | Fluid Mechanics |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
OR
All of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENEN20002 | Earth Processes for Engineering |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| MCEN30018 | Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
From 2024 onwards the following subject will be an additional prerequisite to both sets of subjects:
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: 9 April 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
One design project with an individual report, workload equivalent to 2000 words. Work from Week 3 to Week 11; to be submitted in Week 11. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1-6 are addressed in this assessment.
| Week 11 | 50% |
One individual laboratory report, workload equivalent to 500 words. ILOs 1, 3-6 are addressed in the report.
| Mid semester | 10% |
One written examination. ILOs 1-6 are addressed in the examination.
| During the examination period | 40% |
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Shubhrajit Maitra Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours lecture (2 hours per week), 16 hours of workshops during the semester (in 2-hour blocks), 2 hours practicals, and 8 hours of tutorials (distributed over semester) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2023 to 22 October 2023 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2023 Census date 31 August 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2023 Assessment period ends 17 November 2023 Semester 2 contact information
Shubhrajit Maitra
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Further information
- Texts
- 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 Civil Engineering Course Master of Architectural Engineering Major Civil Engineering Systems Major Civil Engineering Systems Specialisation (formal) Structural Major Engineering Systems Informal specialisation Bachelor of Design Elective Subjects Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Specialisation (formal) Civil Specialisation (formal) Civil with Business - 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
- 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
Last updated: 9 April 2025