Geotechnical Engineering (CVEN90050)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| 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 various geotechnical engineering applications topics, including problems involving the stability of an earth mass for these various situations and introducing the design of shallow foundations. 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 shallow foundations, embankments, 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 review of pore-water pressures and effective stress, soil strength and compressibility (direct shear and triaxial testing, and others), consolidation, shallow foundations (bearing capacity and settlement), rigid and flexible earth retaining structures, reinforced soil walls, 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
- Analyse for both the bearing capacity and settlement characteristics of shallow foundations subjected to a variety of loadings
- Apply fundamental geomechanics knowledge learned in earlier units to solve problems involving the stability of earth retaining structures
Generic skills
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Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals
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Ability to communicate effectively, not only with engineers but also with the community at large
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Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
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Ability to utilise systems approach to design and operational performance
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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
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Expectation of the need to undertake lifelong learning and the capacity to do so
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Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning
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Ability to manage information and documentation
Last updated: 15 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
All of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVEN30010 | Geotechnical Modelling and Design | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ENEN20002 | Earth Processes for Engineering |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Or equivalent
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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: 15 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Quiz- Two 30-minute online tests (5% each). ILOs 1, 2 and 3 are addressed in the tests
| About Week 4 and About Week 11 | 10% |
Written Assignment- An individual assignment (10%) of a workload equivalent to 500 words, requiring approximately 13 hours of work. May use data from laboratory tests. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1, 2 3, and 4 are addressed.
| About Week 5 | 10% |
Written Assignment- Two group assignments of a workload equivalent to 1000 words or 15 hours per assignment per students (15% each). These assignments may use data from laboratory tests. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1, 2 3, and 4 are addressed in these assignments
| About Week 8, 12 | 30% |
Written Exam- One written examination. ILOs 1, 2,3 and 4 are addressed in the exam
| End of semester | 50% |
Additional details
Highly technical subject. Needs continuous assessment as a way to encourage students to keep up with content and consolidate learnings.
Last updated: 15 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Guillermo Narsilio Ferrero 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 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 contact information
Email: narsilio@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
200 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 15 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- 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 Ph.D.- Engineering Course Master of Architectural Engineering Course Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering Course Master of Philosophy - 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.
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: 15 March 2025