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Unit outline_

CIVL1022: Geological Hazards

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study introduces the issues related to risk of ground instability, which concern all civil engineering projects. Students will learn how to identify, evaluate and mitigate hazards including landslides, sinkholes and earthquakes. They will develop the ability of assessing the impact of these hazards on the natural and built environment. They will acquire analytical skills to quantify ground (in)stability and foresee natural and entropic causes of ground failure. They will learn how to design engineering solutions to mitigate these risks.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Civil Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
GEOL1501 or CIVL9022
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Pierre Rognon, pierre.rognon@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Pierre Rognon, pierre.rognon@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Supervised exam
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Tutorial quiz Quiz
Mid term quiz #earlyfeedbacktask
20% Week 03
Due date: 15 Aug 2024 at 23:59
1h
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Creative assessment / demonstration group assignment Video presentation
Recorded video presentation
30% Week 10 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10
group assignment = group assignment ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

All assessments and final exam will involve answering a series of questions and/or resolving problems, including providing explanations and performing calculations.

The break down of the marks for each problem and question will be specified in the assessment question sheet.

Assessment criteria

 

 

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

 

 

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late penalty: 5 points per days

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Overview of Geological hazards Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 02 Earth structure and resulting hazards Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Energies of geo-hazards Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 03 Earth material: the rock cycle Lecture (2 hr) LO3
Plate tectonic. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 04 Geomorphology: landscape evolution Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Laboratory rock characterisation. Practical (2 hr) LO3 LO5 LO10
Week 05 Floods and droughts and the future of extreme climate events Lecture (2 hr) LO4
Week 06 Landslides Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Effect of sea level changes and coastal erosion Tutorial (2 hr) LO4
Week 07 Soil micro-structure Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO5
Dam and ground water contamination Tutorial (2 hr) LO4
Week 08 Soil settlement Lecture (2 hr) LO5 LO6
Underground stress Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Soil strength Lecture (2 hr) LO5 LO7 LO8
Week 09 Differential settlement Tutorial (2 hr) LO4
Week 10 Soil failure Lecture (2 hr) LO5 LO7 LO8
Sinkhole Tutorial (2 hr) LO4
Week 11 Soil improvement techniques Lecture (2 hr) LO5 LO9
Water induced failure Tutorial (2 hr) LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 12 Slope stability control Lecture (2 hr) LO7 LO8 LO9
Block anchors Tutorial (2 hr) LO8 LO9
Week 13 Recap Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Understand of the concepts and language of geology and risk management
  • LO2. Identify and name common types of geological hazards
  • LO3. Identify and name common types of soils and rocks
  • LO4. Understand the relationship between the built environment and its geological substrate and the possible impacts of natural earth hazards on engineered structures
  • LO5. Understand the relationship between microstructure and mechanical behaviour of geomaterials
  • LO6. Calculate underground stresses
  • LO7. Calculate shear strength and shear failure of geological substrates
  • LO8. Calculate factor of safety and use this concept to quantify slope instability risk.
  • LO9. Design engineering techniques to improve geological substrate stability.
  • LO10. Demonstrate enhanced skills in written, oral, and interpersonal communication

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
1. ENABLING SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT
2. IN-DEPTH TECHNICAL COMPETENCE
LO2
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
1. ENABLING SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT
2. IN-DEPTH TECHNICAL COMPETENCE
LO3
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
1.1. Developing underpinning capabilities in mathematics, physical, life and information sciences and engineering sciences, as appropriate to the designated field of practice.
2.1. Appropriate range and depth of learning in the technical domains comprising the field of practice informed by national and international benchmarks.
LO4
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
4.5. An ability to undertake problem solving, design and project work within a broad contextual framework accommodating social, cultural, ethical, legal, political, economic and environmental responsibilities as well as within the principles of sustainable development and health and safety imperatives.
LO5
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
1.1. Developing underpinning capabilities in mathematics, physical, life and information sciences and engineering sciences, as appropriate to the designated field of practice.
LO6
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
1.1. Developing underpinning capabilities in mathematics, physical, life and information sciences and engineering sciences, as appropriate to the designated field of practice.
2.4. Advanced knowledge and capability development in one or more specialist areas through engagement with: (a) specific body of knowledge and emerging developments and (b) problems and situations of significant technical complexity.
LO7
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
1.1. Developing underpinning capabilities in mathematics, physical, life and information sciences and engineering sciences, as appropriate to the designated field of practice.
2.4. Advanced knowledge and capability development in one or more specialist areas through engagement with: (a) specific body of knowledge and emerging developments and (b) problems and situations of significant technical complexity.
LO8
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
2.4. Advanced knowledge and capability development in one or more specialist areas through engagement with: (a) specific body of knowledge and emerging developments and (b) problems and situations of significant technical complexity.
4.5. An ability to undertake problem solving, design and project work within a broad contextual framework accommodating social, cultural, ethical, legal, political, economic and environmental responsibilities as well as within the principles of sustainable development and health and safety imperatives.
LO9
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
1.1. Developing underpinning capabilities in mathematics, physical, life and information sciences and engineering sciences, as appropriate to the designated field of practice.
2.1. Appropriate range and depth of learning in the technical domains comprising the field of practice informed by national and international benchmarks.
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
3.1. An ability to communicate with the engineering team and the community at large.
3.6. An ability to function as an individual and as a team leader and member in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.
3.7. A capacity for lifelong learning and professional development and appropriate professional attitudes.
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1 A ENABLING SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT
2 A IN-DEPTH TECHNICAL COMPETENCE
3.1 A An ability to communicate with the engineering team and the community at large.
4.3 A Proficiency in the engineering design of components, systems and/or processes in accordance with specified and agreed performance criteria.
5.4 A Skills in the selection and application of appropriate engineering resources tools and techniques, appreciation of accuracy and limitations;.

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered

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