Useful links
Unit of study_
CIVL9811: Engineering Design and Construction
2025 unit information
The objectives of this unit are to develop an understanding of construction methods, strategies, equipment and machinery in a range of construction activities and an understanding of the principles involved in the design for those construction activities. At the end of this unit, students will have developed a familiarity with a variety of construction methods, strategies, equipment and machinery in a range of construction activities such that they will be able, if and when the opportunity arises to participate as site engineers (or similar role) in the planning and execution of those construction activities, albeit with supervision and guidance from experienced professionals. Students will also have developed an understanding of the design principles and techniques involved in the planning for those construction activities such that they are able, if and when the opportunity arises, to participate as design engineers, in the planning and design for those construction activities, with supervision and guidance from experienced professionals. The range of topics covered in this course is such that the learning outcomes form a basis for later development of more detailed knowledge, dependent on the future career experiences of the student. The course does not prepare a student for immediate, unsupervised participation in construction and design work associated with the topics covered. The topics may vary dependent on current and planned projects in Sydney, NSW and Australia. At this stage the topics are hard rock tunnelling and general hard rock underground excavation; soft ground tunnelling; underground construction; micro tunnelling; cut and cover (cover and cut) tunnelling; earth retaining systems; piling; formwork and falsework (incl Tilt up, Ultrafloor, Sacrificial form); dewatering; pavement design and construction - rigid and flexible (incl and pavement construction materials); stormwater drainage design and construction; marine construction; civil construction in environmentally sensitive areas; contract administration for construction engineers; general engineering in remote localities (project based); construction methods in bridge engineering; QA documentation on a typical project; insurance in the construction industry occupational health and safety issues in the construction industry; timber engineering; post-tensioned/ pre-stressed concrete construction; civil engineering in a marine environment. On day 1 of the course, a form based survey is taken to invite students to nominate specific areas of interest which may lead to adjustment in course content.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Engineering
| Study level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Civil Engineering |
| Credit points | 6 |
|
Prerequisites:
?
|
CIVL9810 |
|---|---|
|
Corequisites:
?
|
None |
| Prohibitions:
?
|
CIVL8811 |
| Assumed knowledge:
?
|
None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Demonstrate knowledge of the construction techniques and processes of building composite structures, including material selection, design considerations, fabrication methods, and installation procedures.
- LO2. Understand the principles and benefits of post-tensioning in concrete floor systems, including improved structural performance, reduced cracking, increased load-carrying capacity, and enhanced durability.
- LO3. Understand the importance and significance of detailing in reinforced concrete members, including ensuring structural integrity, durability, and meeting design requirements.
- LO4. Understand the fundamental principles and concepts of foundations and retaining walls in civil engineering, including their roles, functions, and importance in providing stability and support to structures and soil slopes.
- LO5. Understand the principles and concepts of tunnel engineering, specifically focusing on the role of rock mechanics in the design, construction, and maintenance of tunnels.
- LO6. Understand the fundamental principles and concepts of bridge engineering, including the roles, functions, and importance of bridges in transportation infrastructure.
- LO7. Identify and analyse the different types of bridges, such as beam bridges, arch bridges, suspension bridges, and cable-stayed bridges, and understand their structural behaviour, advantages, and limitations.
- LO8. Understand the principles and concepts of wind loading on high-rise buildings, including the effects of wind forces on structural behaviour, design considerations, and the importance of wind engineering in tall building design.
- LO9. Understand the principles and concepts of green construction and sustainable design, specifically focusing on the use of bamboo as a renewable and environmentally friendly material for light structures.
- LO10. Understand the codes, regulations, and standards governing building technology, including building codes, energy codes, accessibility requirements, and environmental regulations. Collaborate effectively with architects, engineers, and construction professionals to integrate building technology considerations into the overall design and construction process, ensuring coordination and optimization of building systems.
- LO11. Understand the fundamental principles and concepts of earthquake loading in structures, including the causes and characteristics of earthquakes, and the effects of seismic forces on buildings and infrastructure.
- LO12. Evaluate the performance of building materials and systems under fire conditions, including the behaviour of structural elements, fire spread through combustible materials, and the effectiveness of fire protection measures.
- LO13. Identify and analyse the different types of dams, such as gravity dams, arch dams, embankment dams, and rockfill dams, and understand their design considerations, structural behaviour, and construction techniques.
- LO14. Apply engineering principles and analysis techniques to perform structural analysis using FEA, including static analysis, dynamic analysis, stress analysis, and modal analysis.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Semester 2 2025
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
|
Find your current year census dates
Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
