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Unit of Study ENG30007 - Geotechnical Engineering (2017)

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Unit Snapshot

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Unit description

Expanding on the knowledge gained in Soil Mechanics and Geology, this unit teaches students how to apply this knowledge to design the geotechnical aspects of a range of different projects. Design of building and bridge foundations will be covered, in addition to the design of dams and excavations. Methods of investigating a site and assessing the stability of a slope will be investigated. Computer modelling will be introduced to provide practical working knowledge of techniques used in industry to analyse geotechnical problems.

Unit content

Topic 1: Methods and approaches to geotechnical design including safe working loads, ultimate limit states and interaction with other disciplines
Topic 2: Methods of site investigation
Topic 3: Design of shallow footings
Topic 4: Design of deep footings and pile foundations
Topic 5: Design of foundations for buildings, bridges and other structures including methods to model soil structure interaction
Topic 6: Design of excavations using techniques such as passive soil nailing or rock anchors
Topic 7: Design and construction of dams
Topic 8: Slope stability of soils and rock slopes

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Lismore Session 2 Session 2

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 Describe the different approaches to geotechnical design and the issues associated with the interaction with other disciplines such as structural engineering
2 Apply knowledge of soil mechanics and geology to design a range of different geotechnical components including shallow and deep foundations, excavations, dams and analyse the stability of soil and rock slopes
3 Specify a site testing regime to adequately develop an understanding of the soil/rock properties on a site in order to develop suitable engineering designs
4 Assess site specific contextual factors and constraints to select appropriate geotechnical solutions to complex problems
5 Model typical geotechnical problems using suitable computer modelling techniques

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

  1. Describe the different approaches to geotechnical design and the issues associated with the interaction with other disciplines such as structural engineering
    • GA4:
  2. Apply knowledge of soil mechanics and geology to design a range of different geotechnical components including shallow and deep foundations, excavations, dams and analyse the stability of soil and rock slopes
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  3. Specify a site testing regime to adequately develop an understanding of the soil/rock properties on a site in order to develop suitable engineering designs
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  4. Assess site specific contextual factors and constraints to select appropriate geotechnical solutions to complex problems
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
  5. Model typical geotechnical problems using suitable computer modelling techniques
    • GA4:
    • GA5:

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
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Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.