Unit aim
Introduces students to the study of soils and their behaviour, enabling analysis of the response of soils to applied loads. The basic geology and engineering properties of soils will be explained, in addition to techniques to measure or estimate them. Slope stability and soil-structure interaction will also be explained. The unit lays the foundation for more advanced units in geotechnical engineering.
Unit content
Topic 1: Introduction to engineering geology including the identification of soils and rocks, minerals, weathering, landscape formation and geomorphologyTopic 2: Introductory to engineering properties of soils including, description, characterisation and classification
Topic 3: Laboratory test methods to determine geotechnical properties of soils
Topic 4: Fundamentals of the mechanical behaviour of soils including effective stress, shear and bearing strength of soils, consolidation and settlement
Topic 5: Steady state water seepage through soils
Topic 6: Analysis of soil deformation and settlement
Topic 7: Earth pressures and design of retaining walls
Learning outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.
Learning outcomes and graduate attributes
| On completion of this unit, students should be able to: | GA1 | GA2 | GA3 | GA4 | GA5 | GA6 | GA7 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Demonstrate an understanding of the geological and engineering properties of soils | Knowledge of a discipline | ||||||
| 2 | Perform laboratory tests on soil samples to the Australian Standards to determine properties required in analysis and understand the need for accreditation of soil laboratories | Knowledge of a discipline | Communication and social skills | |||||
| 3 | Demonstrate proficiency in applying analytical methods to determine stresses and strains in soils under load | Knowledge of a discipline | ||||||
| 4 | Demonstrate understanding of the movement of water in soils and calculate two-dimensional seepage patterns | Knowledge of a discipline | ||||||
| 5 | Analyse and design soil retaining structures and assess settlement of soils under load | Knowledge of a discipline | ||||||
Prescribed texts
Session 1
- Main Textbook: Das, B & Sobhan, K, 2014, Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, 8th edn, SI Edition, Cengage Learning, USA. ISBN: 9781133108672.
Teaching and assessment
Lismore
| Teaching method |
| Lecture on-site 3 hours (12 weeks) |
| Tutorial on-site 1 hour (12 weeks) |
| Assessment | |
| Exam: closed book | 70% |
| Calculations | 15% |
| Calculations | 15% |
Fee information
Domestic
Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.
Commencing 2017 Commonwealth Supported only. Student contribution band: 2
Fee paying courses
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International
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