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Unit outline_

CIVL3411: Geotechnical Engineering

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

The objectives of this unit are to provide an understanding of the factors influencing soil strength, and to give practice in the application of this understanding by exploring the stability of slopes, retaining walls and foundations. At the end of this unit students will be able to: determine the strength parameters appropriate to a range of stability problems, and understand the difference between total and effective stress approaches; evaluate strength parameters from laboratory data; critically analyse foundation stability and slope stability problems; use spreadsheets to perform parametric studies and produce design charts for simple geotechnical design problems; and communicate the results of experiments and analyses using written methods appropriate for professional geotechnical engineers. The syllabus comprises; methods of analysis for gravity and sheet pile retaining walls; reinforced soil; slope stability, including modes of failure, analysis and computer methods; bearing capacity of shallow foundations under general loading, and axial and lateral capacities of deep pile foundations; the mechanical behaviour of sands and clays; and Critical State models.

Unit details and rules

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

CIVL2410

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Francois Guillard, francois.guillard@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Francois Guillard, francois.guillard@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Francois Guillard, francois.guillard@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Oral exam
? 
hurdle task
Final oral examination
30 minute preparation followed by 15 minute oral exam, staggered times
40% Formal exam period 15 minutes (oral)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Small continuous assessment Quizzes
Regular short quizzes, 5 in total during the semester (3x2%+1x4%+1x5%).
15% Multiple weeks 15-60 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Lab report 1
Report on laboratory work and analysis related to soil characterisation.
10% Week 03
Due date: 16 Aug 2024 at 23:59
Max 5 pages.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
Assignment Assignment
Analysis of a slope stability problem analytically and numerically
15% Week 10
Due date: 08 Oct 2024 at 23:59
Report and source code
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO1
Assignment Lab report 2
Report on laboratory work and analysis related to retaining walls.
10% Week 11
Due date: 18 Oct 2024 at 23:59
Max 5 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Assignment Lab report 3
Report on laboratory work and analysis related to foundation stability.
10% Week 13
Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 23:59
Max 5 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

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 Introduction to geotechnical engineering; Stress and strain Lecture (4 hr)  
Week 02 Soil characterisation Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Laboratory and in-situ characterisation, soil models. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Models of soil mechanics Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 Introduction to slope stability Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO3 LO5
Week 06 Slope stability: limit equilibrium Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 07 Slope stability: Taylor's charts, wedge method Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Retaining walls: introduction, limit equilibrium Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 09 Retaining walls: Rankine’s method Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Foundations: general bearing capacity formulations and formulae Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Other bearing capacity applications, settlements Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Foundations: bearing capacity of piles Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO3 LO5
Week 13 Conclusion of the course, summary and revisions. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to attend all lectures and tutorials.

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 the effects of void-ratio, pressure, friction, and dilation on the strength of clays and sands, based on models of soil mechanics
  • LO2. Determine the strength parameters appropriate to a range of stability problems, and understand the difference between total and effective stress approaches.
  • LO3. Use spreadsheets to perform parametric studies for simple geotechnical design problems
  • LO4. Communicate the results of analyses using written and visual methods appropriate for professional geotechnical engineers
  • LO5. Critically analyse slope and retaining walls stability problems, and shallow foundation and pile stability

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

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

Removed a quiz, shifted the labs forward to allow for more time between the lectures and their application.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.