Unit of Study CIVL6002 Geotechnical Engineering (2026)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit type

PG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Science and Engineering
Placement

No

Unit description

This unit closely examines the mechanical behaviour of geological materials and how it impacts geotechnical design. It explores the factors that control how different geomaterials deform and fail under loads. This advanced understanding is applied to the design of foundations and the quantitative assessment of risk associated with slope instability.

Unit content

Module 1: Geological Materials

Module 2: Underground Stresses

Module 3: Failure

Module 4: Slope Stability Control

Module 5: Foundation Design

Module 6: Integrated Geotechnics

Availabilities

Location	Domestic	International
Gold Coast	Term1	Term1
Melbourne	N/A	Term1
Online	Term1	N/A
Perth	N/A	Term1
Sydney	N/A	Term1

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.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

evaluate the properties of different geotechnical materials and relate them to their mechanical behaviour

assess stresses and failure in geological materials

appraise uncertainty in geotechnical engineering design

formulate and present solutions to geotechnical engineering problems, such as slope stability and foundation design, collaboratively in a team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method

Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Assessment
Quiz	30%
Report	45%
Report	25%

Teaching method

Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Assessment
Quiz	30%
Report	45%
Report	25%

Teaching method

Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Assessment
Quiz	30%
Report	45%
Report	25%

Teaching method

Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Assessment
Quiz	30%
Report	45%
Report	25%

Teaching method

Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Assessment
Quiz	30%
Report	45%
Report	25%

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts

Prescribed text information is not currently available.

Prescribed Resources/Equipment

Prescribed resources/equipment information is not currently available.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full-fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees.

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