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Unit outline_

CIVL6455: Engineering Behaviour of Soils

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal evening] - Remote

This is an advanced soil mechanics course. It is concerned with the mechanical stress, strain, strength behaviour and the application of this knowledge in geotechnical engineering. The course includes an introduction to critical state soil mechanics, which is used to assist with the interpretation of soil data, and to enable prediction of ground behaviour. The course uses the critical state framework to provide a firm basis for an understanding of the stress, strain, strength behaviour of all soils, and to enable a rational approach to the selection of parameters for use in geotechnical design.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Civil Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
CIVL5455
Assumed knowledge
? 

[CIVL2410 OR CIVL9410] AND [CIVL3411 OR CIVL9411]. A knowledge of basic concepts and terminology of soil mechanics is assumed. Experience with geotechnical practice in estimating parameters from field and laboratory data would be useful but not essential.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Yixiang Gan, yixiang.gan@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Assignment 1
Design project.
20% Week 04 10 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Tutorial quiz Quiz 1
In-class assessment.
10% Week 07 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO1 LO3
Assignment group assignment Assignment 2
Literature review and presentation.
30% Week 09 10 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO7 LO4 LO3
Online task Quiz 2
In-class assessment.
10% Week 13 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO5 LO4 LO2
Assignment Assignment 3
FEA project: Computational soil mechanics assignment.
30% Week 13 20 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO6 LO4 LO3
Group assignment with individually assessed component = group assignment with individually assessed component ?

Assessment summary

The assessment contains project-based assignments, report writing and group presentation. 

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 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:

5% per day.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Principle of effective stress; 2. Friction Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1
Week 02 Selection of stress and strain parameters Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Introduction to laboratory testing of soils Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 04 Soil compression Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 05 1. Importance of dilation; 2. Critical state soil mechanics; 3. Historical development; 4. Critical states Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 1. Essential elasticity and plasticity; 2. Critical state soil mechanics; 3. Cam clay models Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 1. Critical state soil mechanics; 2. Using the model Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Soil strength: undrained Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Soil strength: drained Block teaching (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Index tests Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Soil stiffness Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 1. Problematic soils; 2. Effects of structure and cementation; 3. Loess; 4. Soils with porous/friable particles Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 13 1. Advanced soil models; 2. Cyclic loading Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7

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. identify the contributing factors influencing soil behaviour and explain their interactions, using the framework of critical state soil mechanics
  • LO2. explain models used in predicting soil behaviour, including their practical requirements and potential limitations
  • LO3. operate the cam clay model using real laboratory data to produce reliable, meaningful results
  • LO4. critically evaluate the quality of soil lab data sets and ensure readiness for use in soil behaviour modelling
  • LO5. produce soundly-based interpretations of soil modelling results, giving due consideration to assumptions and limitations of the data used and those of the model used
  • LO6. engage with alternative possible interpretations of the same results, critically examine the merits of each and draw appropriate conclusions
  • LO7. determine the soil design parameters for given geotechnical engineering situations based on a rational consideration of soil factors.

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.

Additional tutorial sessions on FEA analyses were offered.

Disclaimer

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

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