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Unit of Study ENG30002 - Soil Mechanics and Geology (2016)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

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Unit description

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 geomorphology
Topic 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

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Lismore Session 1 Session 1

Learning outcomes and graduate attributes

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:

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
Learning outcome count Learning outcome description GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 Demonstrate an understanding of the geological and engineering properties of soils
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
3 Demonstrate proficiency in applying analytical methods to determine stresses and strains in soils under load
4 Demonstrate understanding of the movement of water in soils and calculate two-dimensional seepage patterns
5 Analyse and design soil retaining structures and assess settlement of soils under load

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

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the geological and engineering properties of soils
    • GA4:
  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
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  3. Demonstrate proficiency in applying analytical methods to determine stresses and strains in soils under load
    • GA4:
  4. Demonstrate understanding of the movement of water in soils and calculate two-dimensional seepage patterns
    • GA4:
  5. Analyse and design soil retaining structures and assess settlement of soils under load
    • GA4:

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • No prescribed texts.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.