49118 Applied Geotechnics
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): ((120 credit points of completed study in 120.0000000000 Credit Points spk(s): C10061 Bachelor of Engineering Diploma Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in 120.0000000000 Credit Points spk(s): C10066 Bachelor of Engineering Science OR 120 credit points of completed study in 120.0000000000 Credit Points spk(s): C10067 Bachelor of Engineering OR 120 credit points of completed study in 120.0000000000 Credit Points spk(s): C09067 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Diploma Professional Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in 120.0000000000 Credit Points spk(s): C09066 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)) AND 48330 Soil Behaviour)
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Description
The purpose of this subject is to provide practical awareness and advanced problem solving techniques for students who wish to widen their analytical and design skills in the field of geotechnical engineering and transport infrastructure. Completion of this subject supports students to work in professional practice and the global market. The syllabus covers the revision of soil mechanics, foundation engineering and retaining wall design; introduction to rock mechanics, deep excavation methods and supporting systems; dewatering methods in soil; design of cofferdams; geotechnical aspects of tunnelling construction and design; introduction to embankment dams; geotechnical aspects of landfills; and rail track substructure problems, track formation stabilisation techniques and their limitations.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of soil mechanics, groundwater flow and rock mechanics principles and their applications in design of geotechnical structures. (D.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Analyse and evaluate the stability and deformation of various geotechnical structures in line with current practices and standards. (D.1) |
| 3. | Apply numerical and analytical methods to the design of geotechnical projects including railways, reinforced soil walls, landfills, dams and tunnels. (C.1) |
| 4. | Communicate recommendations appropriate to construction methods, drainage, analysis and design considerations for specific project requirements. (E.1) |
| 5. | Critically reflect on relational ways of working to improve the analysis and design of engineering projects. (F.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design thinking and decision-making methodologies in new contexts or to novel problems, to explore, test, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, theories or concepts. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply theoretical, conceptual, software and physical tools and advanced discipline knowledge to research, evaluate and predict future performance of systems characterised by complexity. (D.1)
- Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating autonomously within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
- Reflective: FEIT graduates critically self-review their own and others' performance with a high level of responsibility to improve and practice competently for the benefit of professional practice and society. (F.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:
- 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
- 1.4. Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.
- 2.1. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
- 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
- 2.3. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
- 3.2. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
- 3.3. Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.
- 3.4. Professional use and management of information.
- 3.5. Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject comprises lectures/workshops and collaborative learning sessions in order for students to complete detailed designs, staged assignment reports, exercise sets and research projects. The group research project allows students to learn critical review of engineering documents, project reports and disciplinary research skills.
The class meets once a week for 3 hours. Students will be provided weekly material for topics in the subject in advance of the lecture/workshop sessions. Students are expected to read the materials prepared for each session including lecture notes, video clips, worked examples and conceptual questions on the topic, before attending the class. Class time is used to integrate that knowledge through strategies such as problem-solving and discussion on the conceptual questions, design methodologies and construction aspects of the target geotechnical structures.
Students undertake a research project that runs throughout the subject. The aim of this project is to develop research and design skills through experience in applying the course material, critically reviewing available information in literature, and analysing data to a practical design situation.
Students undertake two staged assignment reports in this subject to assess and further develop their understanding of key concepts in applied geotechnics, problem solving skills, engineering decision making and innovation. Past examination questions and papers will be posted in Canvas in the form of tutorial examples, assignment reports and solved exercise sets. Students are expected to review them, before attending the classes and the staged assignment reports.
Students will also be assessed through individual exercise sets. The exercise sets will include solving technical problems, preparing small written reports and completing a self-learning module. Where feasible, assignments are designed to encourage the students to work with a wide range of data inputs and apply innovative approaches.
There are many opportunities for students to receive written or oral feedback. Students will receive constructive feedback on their staged assignment reports, exercise sets and the research project. Within two weeks after each submission students will receive individual feedback as well as collective feedback. Furthermore, peer feedback and formative feedback will be provided on the proposal of students’ group project, before the census date.
Content (topics)
This subject covers the following content areas:
- Revision of soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering including consolidation, shear strength, and bearing capacity and settlement of foundations
- Retaining structures including lateral earth pressures, retaining wall analysis and design
- Seepage, dewatering systems and design of cofferdams
- Design and construction aspects of reinforced soil walls
- Introduction to embankment dams including general stability and design aspects of earth-fill and rock-fill dams
- Environmental geomechanics and geotechnical aspects of landfills including landfill stability, landfill settlement, compacted clay liners and geosynthetic clay liners
- Rail track engineering including rail track substructure problems; engineering properties of ballast; application of geosynthetics in rail tracks; sub ballast and track filtration; formation stabilisation, slab track and challenges and opportunities of high speed rail (HSR)
- Tunnelling design and construction including introduction of rock mechanics, influence of geological conditions on design and construction of tunnels, design aspects of tunnels, and construction methods in tunnelling
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Exercise Sets
| Intent: | To solve problems, identify issues in analysis and design, and apply corrective measures to achieve geotechnical stability. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | Excel file with active equations |
Assessment task 2: Research Project
| Intent: | To generate a research report that critically reviews published literature in the field of geotechnics in order to develop critical thinking and writing skills. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | The proposal should not exceed 1 page. The length of the report should not exceed 15 pages. |
Assessment task 3: Staged Assignment Reports
| Intent: | To strengthen design skills, problem solving techniques, identify issues in analysis and design. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | No more than 1 page for each question |
Assessment task 4: Reflective Presentation
| Intent: | To reflect on knowledge derived from review of recent research practices being adopted in Australia and/or overseas pertaining to the topic covered in the research project and/or critique on issues in analysis and design as well as the overall subject learning experience. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1, E.1 and F.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | The oral presentation time should not exceed 5 minutes. |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Required texts
A set of course notes will be provided gradually during the course together with a copy of the main slides used in lectures.
During the course no reference will be made to specific text books so that students will not find it necessary to purchase a book. However, either of the following books would constitute a suitable reference book for the subject.
A set of lecture notes covering the topics is provided to students. Canvas will be used for announcements and links to resources.
Recommended texts
The following highly recommended books contain useful reference materials for students requiring additional reading:
- Bowles J. E. “Foundation analysis and design” McGraw Hill, Int. student edition, 5th edition, 1996.
- Budhu, M. “Soil Mechanics and Foundations”, Wiley & Sons, 2007.
- Das, B. M. “Principles of Foundation Engineering”, Brooks/Cole Publ. Company, USA, 1999.
References
Craig, R.F. “Soil Mechanics”, Van-Nostrand, 1998.
Das, B. M. “Principles of Geotechnical Engineering”, PWS Publishing, 2006.
Fell, R., MacGregor, P., Stapledon, D. and Bell, G. “Geotechnical Engineering of Dams”, Taylor and Francis, UK, 2005.
Holtz, R.D. and Kovacs, W.D. “An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering”, Prentice Hall, 1981.
Powers, J.P. “Construction Dewatering: New Methods and Applications” John Wiley and Sons, 1992.
Scott, C. "An Introduction to Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering", AS Publisher, 1980.
Sharma, H.D. and Reddy, K.R. “Geo-environmental Engineering: Site Remediation”, Waste containment and emerging waste management technologies / Published Hoboken, New Jersey, John Wiley, USA 2004.
Smith, G.N. “Elements of Soil Mechanics”, Blackwell Science, 1998
Waltham, A.C. “Foundations of Engineering Geology”, Blackei Academic & Professional, 1994.
Other resources
Internet sites
Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS): http://australiangeomechanics.org/
Centre for Geotechnical Practice and Research (CGPR): http://www.cgpr.cee.vt.edu/
US University Council on Geotechnical Education and Research (USUCGER): http://www.usucger.org/
Canvas
A copy of the course notes will be available on Canvas in PDF format. A copy of lecture slides (in PDF) will also be available on Canvas together with a copy of assignments and tutorials questions. In addition, all important announcements will be posted on Canvas.
Students are encouraged to set up a student forum for discussion about their major project or any other topics related to Geotechnical Engineering on Canvas.