CQUniversity Unit Profile
ENEC14014 Structural and Geotechnical Design
Structural and Geotechnical Design
All details in this unit profile for ENEC14014 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

In this unit, you will analyse, design and prepare documentation for major civil engineering projects involving a broad range of investigation and design activities. You will establish project requirements and determine design loads and conditions, analyse structures and design components using Australian Standards and/or relevant guidance. You will use commercial computer software to analyse and design the structures with various design actions; conduct site investigations, test and characterise geotechnical materials, design foundations and earth retaining structures, and make assessments of geotechnical stability. In this unit, you are expected to document the process of modelling, testing and analysis, and communicate, work and learn, both individually and in teams, in a professional manner. If you are enrolled in online mode, you will be required to attend a residential school during the term.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 4
Credit Points: 12
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.25

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisite: (ENEC12012 Stress Analysis or ENEC13010 Solid Mechanics) AND ENEC12008 Geotechnical Engineering AND (ENEC13015 Steel & Timber Design or ENEC13011 Steel Structures) AND (ENEC13016 Concrete Technology & Design or ENEC14013 Concrete Structures)

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2018

Bundaberg
Gladstone
Mackay
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Residential Schools

This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 12-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 25 hours of study per week, making a total of 300 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Portfolio
Weighting: 50%
2. Portfolio
Weighting: 30%
3. Oral Examination
Weighting: 20%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Moodle

Feedback

The unit was structured well and the content covered in a way to ensure easy learning.

Recommendation

The good practice will continue for next delivery as well.

Feedback from Moodle

Feedback

It is better to have more detailed assessment feedback within 2 weeks to help the learning

Recommendation

Next year the unit coordinator will ensure more constructive feedback will be given within two weeks, as per policy.

Feedback from Moodle

Feedback

More detail for Viva component will help us to prepare better for the assessment.

Recommendation

More detail about viva and its marking will be provided next year.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a commitment to ethical practice by promoting principals of sustainable development and awareness of stakeholder requirements
  2. Determine and justify loads and load combinations for a structural system
  3. Analyse and design concrete and masonry structural components using appropriate Australian Standards
  4. Describe and apply site investigation and geotechnical testing techniques to characterise sites and geotechnical materials based on Australian Standards
  5. Analyse and design foundations and earth retaining structures and assess stability of slopes
  6. Accurately model and analyse structural and geotechnical systems using industry-standard software and Australian Standards.

The Learning Outcomes for this unit are linked with Engineers Australia's Stage 1 Competency Standard for Engineering Technologist and Professional Engineers.

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Portfolio - 50%
2 - Portfolio - 30%
3 - Oral Examination - 20%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Portfolio - 50%
2 - Portfolio - 30%
3 - Oral Examination - 20%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete

2nd Edition (2013)
Authors: Yew-Chaye Loo, Sanaul H. Chowdhury
Cambridge University Press
Melbourne Melbourne , VIC , Australia
ISBN: 9781107637863
Binding: Hardcover
Prescribed

Soil Mechanics and Foundations

3rd Edition (2010)
Authors: Muni Budhu
John Wiley & Sons
USA
ISBN: 978-0-470-55684-9
Binding: Hardcover
Supplementary

Design of Prestressed Concrete to AS3600-2009

2nd Edition (2015)
Authors: Gilbert, R. I., Mickleborough, N. C., Ranzi, G.
CRC Press
Boca Raton Boca Raton , FL , USA
ISBN: 978-1-4665-7269-0
Binding: Hardcover
Supplementary

Foundation Design: Principles and Practices

3rd Edition (2015)
Authors: Coduto, D. P., Kitch, W. A., Yeung, M. R.
Pearson
USA
ISBN: 9780133411898
Binding: Hardcover

Additional Textbook Information

Prescribed textbook for Geotechnical Design (Soil Mechanics and Foundations) is the same textbook you used for the unit ENEC12008: Geotechnical Engineering in 2nd year.
In addition to the prescribed textbooks, students must have access to Australian Standards and (available through university library website) also required for the unit. A full list of required standards is available on the unit website.
List of recommended readings may be available from the unit website, as necessary.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Finite Element Software for Structural Analysis: SPACE GASS
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Kumaran Suntharavadivel Unit Coordinator
t.suntharavadivel@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 05 Mar 2018

Module/Topic

Lecture 1: Unit Introduction and Review of RC Design

Lecture 2: Bearing Capacity I

Tutorial 1: Structural Engineering

Tutorial 2: Geotechnical Engineering

Chapter

Structural Design: Review of Reinforced Concrete Design (AS3600-2009)

Geotechnical Design: Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundation

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 12 Mar 2018

Module/Topic

Lecture 1: Introduction to Masonry Design

Lecture 2: Bearing Capacity II

Tutorial 1: Structural Engineering

Tutorial 2: Geotechnical Engineering

Chapter

Structural Design: Masonry, Material Properties, Design of Control Joints (AS3700-2011)

Geotechnical Design: Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundation (continued)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 19 Mar 2018

Module/Topic

Lecture 1: Design of Unreinforced Masonry I

Lecture 2: Bearing Capacity III

Tutorial 1: Structural Engineering

Tutorial 2: Geotechnical Engineering

Chapter

Structural Design: Design for in-plane and out-of-plane shear (AS3700-2011)

Geotechnical Design: Pile Foundation

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 26 Mar 2018

Module/Topic

Lecture 1: Design of Unreinforced Masonry II

Lecture 2: Bearing Capacity IV

Tutorial 1: Structural Engineering

Tutorial 2: Geotechnical Engineering

Chapter

Structural Design: Design for out-of-plane Bending (AS3700-2011)

Geotechnical Design: Pile Foundations (continued)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 02 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Lecture 1: Design of Unreinforced Masonry III

Lecture 2: Retaining Wall I

Tutorial 1: Structural Engineering

Tutorial 2: Geotechnical Engineering

Chapter

Structural Design: Design for Compression (AS3700-2011)

Geotechnical Design: Retaining Wall

Events and Submissions/Topic


Vacation Week Begin Date: 09 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Mid-term break

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 16 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Lecture 1: Prestressed Concrete Design I

Lecture 2: Retaining Wall II

Tutorial 1: Structural Engineering

Tutorial 2: Geotechnical Engineering

Chapter

Structural Design: Introduction to Prestressed Concrete Design

Geotechnical Design: Retaining Wall (continued)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 23 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Lecture 1: Prestressed Concrete Design II

Lecture 2: Slope Stability

Tutorial 1: Structural Engineering

Tutorial 2: Geotechnical Engineering

Chapter

Structural Design: Estimation of Prestress Force and Tendon Profile 

Geotechnical Design: Slope Stability

Events and Submissions/Topic

WEEK 8 Begin Date: 30 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Lecture 1: Prestressed Concrete Design III

Lecture 2: Site Investigation

Tutorial 1: Structural Engineering

Tutorial 2: Geotechnical Engineering

Chapter

Structural Design: Ultimate Design Checks

Geotechnical Design: Site Investigation

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 07 May 2018

Module/Topic

Lecture 1: Prestressed Concrete Design IV

Lecture 2: Soil Testing - Lab

Tutorial 1: Structural Engineering

Tutorial 2: Geotechnical Engineering

Chapter

Structural Design: Losses in Prestressed Beam

Geotechnical Design: Soil Testing - Lab


Events and Submissions/Topic

Residential School [08th & 9th May 2018]

Week 10 Begin Date: 14 May 2018

Module/Topic

Lecture 1: Application of FEA in Structural Engineering

Lecture 2: Application of FEA in Geotechnical Engineering

Tutorial 1: Structural Engineering

Tutorial 2: Geotechnical Engineering

Chapter

Structural Design: FEA in Structural Engineering Analysis and Design

Geotechnical Design: FEA in Geotechnical Engineering Analysis

Tutorial 1: Structural Engineering

Tutorial 2: Geotechnical Engineering

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 21 May 2018

Module/Topic

Lecture 1: Tutorials (as required)

Lecture 2: Tutorials (as required)

Chapter

Tutorials

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 28 May 2018

Module/Topic

No lectures in this week

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic


Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 04 Jun 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Oral Examination (Viva) Due: Review/Exam Week Monday (4 June 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 11 Jun 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Please read ENEC14014: General Information available in the unit website.

Practical Classes for on-campus students will be scheduled after week 6. Detail of the laboratory timetable will be available in Week 3.Distance students will complete all practicals during the residential school.

Due to multi-campus delivery of the unit, workshop timetable will be available from unit website separately.

Assessment Tasks

1 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Structural Design Portfolio

Task Description

The aim of this assessment is to allow the students to demonstrate their understanding of various concepts, theories and processes developed in Structural Engineering topics covered in the course. This may include but is not limited to structural analysis, calculation of design actions, concrete design and masonry design.

This portfolio contains 3 projects and students are expected to work in a team and/or individually as specified below.

1. Reinforced Concrete (RC) Design – Team Project [20 marks]

2. Prestressed Concrete (PC) Design – Individual Project [15 marks]

3. Masonry Design – Individual Project [15 marks]

Formal assessment is by submission of a portfolio which contains evidence of all the individual and/or teamwork that the student has performed throughout the term. Each project may due on different dates. Students must read each project briefing carefully and follow instructions and time frame as specified to complete the project successfully.

A Project Brief detailing the requirements for each project, including required pieces of work, will be available on the unit website as below.

1. Reinforced Concrete (RC) Design – Week 1

2. Prestressed Concrete (PC) Design – Week 6

3. Masonry Design – Week 6


Assessment Due Date

Various due dates (see the project briefing)


Return Date to Students

2 weeks from the due date


Weighting
50%

Assessment Criteria

Each main steps in project tasks will be assessed separately for the criterion accuracy and correct results.

  • Correct application of mathematics and arithmetic
  • Reference to correct Standards and/or principles
  • Answers clearly identified
  • Correct results

In addition, each project as a whole will be assessed against the following criteria:

Evidence of correct procedures

  • All necessary steps in analysis are present in correct order
  • Clear presentation of mathematical and arithmetical working linking given details of the problem to the results obtained
  • Evidence of checking results (mathematical, graphical, logic-common sense)

Evidence of understanding of the topic

  • Explanation of choices made in the analysis (why is procedure required, why this particular procedure)
  • Interpretation of results, eg limitations, direction of vectors

Professional presentation

  • The work (job) is clearly identified (problem, date, analysis)
  • Clear statement of each problem and its details and requirements
  • Logical layout of analysis
  • Appropriate use of diagrams, clear diagrams
  • Correct use of terminology, conventions
  • Clear English in the explanation of procedure and interpretation of results.

Important: The omission of any of the required items as specified in the Portfolio Brief will automatically result in a Fail grade.

Individual Student's Grade in Team Project:

Initially, team submission will be assessed and a grade will be given to each team. Then individual grade will be determined based on their contribution, which will be determined by peer assessment. It may be possible individual grade may be higher than team marks but capped at maximum marks for the assessment.

Example: Individual contributions of 3 students in Team A are given below. This Team A received 36 marks (out of 40) for their team project.

M1 - 30%; M2 - 33%; M3 - 37% (Total 100%)

Based on the contribution, Individual marks are given as follow.

M1 = 36 x (30/33.3) = 32.4 (out of 40)

M2 = 36 x (33/33.3) = 35.6 (out of 40)

M3 = 36 x (37/33.3) = 40.0 (out of 40)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online Group

Submission Instructions
Please follow the instructioon given in the project brief

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate a commitment to ethical practice by promoting principals of sustainable development and awareness of stakeholder requirements
  • Determine and justify loads and load combinations for a structural system
  • Analyse and design concrete and masonry structural components using appropriate Australian Standards
  • Accurately model and analyse structural and geotechnical systems using industry-standard software and Australian Standards.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

2 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Geotechnical design portfolio

Task Description

The aim of this assessment is to allow the students to demonstrate their understanding of various concepts, theories and processes developed in Geotechnical Engineering topics covered in the program. This may include but is not limited to consolidation, slope stability, site investigation, earth retaining wall and foundation design.

This portfolio contains 2 projects and laboratory reports. Detail of the projects and laboratory tasks are given below. Students are expected to work in a team and/or individually as specified below.

1. Foundation Design – Individual Project [10 marks]

2. Earth Retaining Wall Design – Individual Project [12 marks]

3. Laboratory Report – Individual Reports [8 marks]

Formal assessment is by submission of a portfolio which contains evidence of all the individual work that the student has performed throughout the term. Students must read and follow the guidance and timeline to complete the project successfully.

A Portfolio Brief detailing the requirements for Portfolio and laboratory instructions will be available on the

unit Website as below.

1. Foundation Design – Week 1

2. Earth Retaining Wall Design – Week 6

3. Laboratory Report – Week 6


Assessment Due Date

Various due dates (see the project briefing)


Return Date to Students

2 weeks from the due date


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

Each main steps in project and laboratory tasks will be assessed separately for the criterion accuracy and correct results.

  • Correct application of mathematics and arithmetic
  • Reference to correct Standards and/or principles
  • Answers clearly identified
  • Correct results

In addition, each project as a whole will be assessed against the following criteria:

Evidence of correct procedures

  • All necessary steps in analysis are present in correct order
  • Clear presentation of mathematical and arithmetical working linking given details of the problem to the results obtained
  • Evidence of checking results (mathematical, graphical, logic-common sense)

Evidence of understanding of the topic

  • Explanation of choices made in the analysis (why is procedure required, why this particular procedure)
  • Interpretation of results, eg limitations, direction of vectors

Professional presentation

  • The work (job) is clearly identified (problem, date, analysis)
  • Clear statement of each problem and its details and requirements
  • Logical layout of analysis
  • Appropriate use of diagrams, clear diagrams
  • Correct use of terminology, conventions
  • Clear English in the explanation of procedure and interpretation of results.

Important: The omission of any of the required items as specified in the Portfolio Brief will automatically result in a Fail grade.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
One Report for team

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate a commitment to ethical practice by promoting principals of sustainable development and awareness of stakeholder requirements
  • Describe and apply site investigation and geotechnical testing techniques to characterise sites and geotechnical materials based on Australian Standards
  • Analyse and design foundations and earth retaining structures and assess stability of slopes
  • Accurately model and analyse structural and geotechnical systems using industry-standard software and Australian Standards.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

3 Oral Examination

Assessment Title
Oral Examination (Viva)

Task Description

At the end of the term, an oral examination (viva) will be scheduled for each student. Students must be prepared to answer questions raised by the facilitator/lecturer. The questions will be based on project and laboratory work as well as the topics covered in this unit. Due to nature of the assessment item, each question will be marked either satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

All oral examination will be recorded for assessment review purpose and may be stored up to 3 months (or as required by DDLT) after the release of the grades.



Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Monday (4 June 2018) 11:45 pm AEST

Individual time for each student will be notified in Week 10


Return Date to Students

Feedback will be released only on Grade certification date


Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
50% from the oral examination

Assessment Criteria

Each question in the oral examination will be assessed separately for the criterion accuracy and correct understanding of the principles.

  • Explanation of choices made in the analysis or design (why is procedure required, why this particular procedure)
  • Interpretation of results, eg limitations, direction of vectors
  • Ability to use the knowledge in similar and/or less-complex scenarios

Each question will be marked either satisfactory or unsatisfactory based on the answer given by the student. The satisfactory answer will be marked as 1 and the unsatisfactory answer will be marked as 0. Then it will be converted to final marks with direct scale.

Example: If a total number of questions = 10 and a student answered 7 questions correctly, then he answered 70% of the question correctly. Therefore, the student will get 0.7x20 = 14 marks for this assessment item.


Referencing Style

Submission

No submission method provided.


Submission Instructions
No submission required

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Determine and justify loads and load combinations for a structural system
  • Analyse and design concrete and masonry structural components using appropriate Australian Standards
  • Describe and apply site investigation and geotechnical testing techniques to characterise sites and geotechnical materials based on Australian Standards
  • Analyse and design foundations and earth retaining structures and assess stability of slopes


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?