CQUniversity Unit Profile
ENEC20003 Geotechnical Engineering Design
Geotechnical Engineering Design
All details in this unit profile for ENEC20003 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

Geotechnical Engineering Design will enable you to develop and apply your knowledge of Australian Standards and/or relevant guidance to analyse and design advanced geotechnical engineering structures involving a broad range of investigations. You will also learn to use computer software to analyse and design the geotechnical components; conduct site investigations; test and characterise geotechnical materials, design foundations, and earth retaining structures; and make assessments of geotechnical stability. You will also formulate, plan, manage, and complete projects individually and in teams in an ethical and professional manner by considering stakeholders and sustainability requirements. You will also document and communicate engineering information using appropriate language for a professional engineer. If you are enrolled in distance mode, you will be required to attend a compulsory residential school during the term.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 9
Credit Points: 12
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.25

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Antirequisite: ENEC14014 Structural and Geotechnical Design

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 2 - 2021

Melbourne
Mixed Mode
Perth
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 Postgraduate 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. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
3. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 20%
4. In-class Test(s)
Weighting: 30%

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

Students believe that the assessment tasks of this unit help them to grow their research and teamwork skills.

Recommendation

That is good and will try to upscale the unit standards.

Feedback from Moodle

Feedback

The weekly workshop for numerical analysis of geotechnical problems is one of the most strong features of this unit and students appreciate it. Students believe that this will be helpful for them for their future civil engineering job.

Recommendation

That is good and will try to upscale the unit standards.

Feedback from Moodle

Feedback

The teaching style, course structure and the resources of this unit are well appreciated by students.

Recommendation

That is good and will try to upscale the unit standards.

Feedback from Moodle

Feedback

It is requested to deliver the tutorial sessions after the lectures

Recommendation

This will be implemented.

Feedback from Moodle

Feedback

Students believe that running the numerical analysis workshops in the computer lab will be more effective since students will be able to access software during the class.

Recommendation

It has been requested to assign a computer lab for the workshop sessions.

Feedback from Moodle

Feedback

The Anydesk is not working well always.

Recommendation

The Anydesk platform has been recently updated and it will work better.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Design group piles, pad foundations and earth retaining structures and assess stability of slopes
  2. Formulate, plan, manage and complete projects individually or in teams in an ethical and professional manner considering stakeholder requirements and principals of sustainable development
  3. Apply site investigation and geotechnical testing techniques to characterise sites and geotechnical materials based on Australian Standards
  4. Use appropriate software to analyse geotechnical components
  5. Demonstrate a professional level of communication and leadership.

The Learning Outcomes for this unit are linked with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standards for Professional Engineers in the areas of 1. Knowledge and Skill Base, 2. Engineering Application Ability and 3. Professional and Personal Attributes at the following levels:
Introductory
2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes. (LO: 1N )
Intermediate
1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. (LO: 1I 2N )
3.3 Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour. (LO: 1N 4I )
3.5 Orderly management of self, and professional conduct. (LO: 1I 4I )
Advanced
1.1 Comprehensive, theory-based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. (LO: 1A 3N 4A )
1.2 Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline. (LO: 1I 4A )
1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline. (LO: 2A )
2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving. (LO: 1A 3N 4I )
2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources. (LO: 1I 3I 4A )
3.2 Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains. (LO: 2A 4I 5A )
3.4 Professional use and management of information. (LO: 1I 2A )
3.6 Effective team membership and team leadership. (LO: 2A 5I )

Note: LO refers to the Learning Outcome number(s) which link to the competency and the levels: N – Introductory, I – Intermediate and A - Advanced.
Refer to the Engineering Postgraduate Units Moodle site for further information on the Engineers Australia's Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineers and course level mapping information

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
1 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Written Assessment - 20%
3 - Practical Assessment - 20%
4 - In-class Test(s) - 30%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - 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
1 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Written Assessment - 20%
3 - Practical Assessment - 20%
4 - In-class Test(s) - 30%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

5th Edition (2017)
Authors: Braja M. Das, Nagaratnam Sivakugan
Cengage Learning
ISBN: 9781305635180
Binding: Hardcover

Additional Textbook Information

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • PowerPoint
  • Word
  • Excel spreadsheet software
  • Geostudio software package (available to access online via AnyDesk or physically in engineering computer labs at local campuses)
Referencing Style

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

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Mehdi Mirzababaei Unit Coordinator
m.mirzababaei@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 12 Jul 2021

Module/Topic

Shallow foundations-bearing capacity

Chapter

Chapter 12

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial Session: Shallow foundations-bearing capacity -Continuing lecture Workshop Session: Tutorials for shallow foundation

DIY: Review the following materials before week 3: Introduction to numerical analysis in geotechnical engineering

Week 2 Begin Date: 19 Jul 2021

Module/Topic

Deep foundations-bearing capacity

Chapter

Chapter 14

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial Session: Deep foundations-bearing capacity -Continuing lecture Workshop Session: Tutorials for deep foundations-bearing capacity

DIY: Review the following materials before week 3:
        Introduction to numerical analysis in geotechnical engineering

Week 3 Begin Date: 26 Jul 2021

Module/Topic

Retaining walls

Chapter

Chapters 11 & 13

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial Session: Retaining walls -Continuing lecture
Workshop Session: Geotechnical numerical modelling module I

Week 4 Begin Date: 02 Aug 2021

Module/Topic

Soil reinforcement

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial Session: Tutorials for retaining walls
Workshop Session: Geotechnical numerical modelling module I -continue

Week 5 Begin Date: 09 Aug 2021

Module/Topic

Soil reinforcement -Continuing lecture

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial Session: Tutorials for soil reinforcement
Workshop Session: Geotechnical numerical modelling module II


Team Research Project Due: Week 5 Friday (13 Aug 2021) 4:55 pm AEST
Vacation Week Begin Date: 16 Aug 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 23 Aug 2021

Module/Topic

Slope stability

Chapter

Chapter 9

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial Session: Presentation of projects
Workshop Session: Geotechnical modelling numerical module II -continue

Week 7 Begin Date: 30 Aug 2021

Module/Topic

Slope stability -Continuing lecture

Chapter

Chapter 9

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial Session: Tutorials for slope stability
Workshop Session: Geotechnical numerical modelling module III


Analyse and design a geotechnical structure (individual project) Due: Week 7 Friday (3 Sept 2021) 4:55 pm AEST
Week 8 Begin Date: 06 Sep 2021

Module/Topic

Site investigation & Ground improvement

Chapter

Chapter 10

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial Session: Site investigation & Ground improvement -Continuing lecture
Workshop Session: Geotechnical numerical modelling module III -continue

Week 9 Begin Date: 13 Sep 2021

Module/Topic

Site investigation & Ground improvement -Continuing lecture

Chapter

Chapter 10

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial Session: Site investigation & Ground improvement -Continuing lecture
Workshop Session: Geotechnical modelling numerical module IV

Week 10 Begin Date: 20 Sep 2021

Module/Topic

Geotechnical numerical modelling module IV -continue

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial Session: Geotechnical numerical modelling module V

Workshop Session: Geotechnical numerical modelling module V -continue


Laboratory report Due: Week 10 Monday (20 Sept 2021) 4:55 pm AEST
Week 11 Begin Date: 27 Sep 2021

Module/Topic

Geotechnical numerical modelling module VI

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Tutorial Session: Q & A Session
Workshop Session: Geotechnical numerical modelling module VI -continue

Week 12 Begin Date: 04 Oct 2021

Module/Topic

In Class Exam

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

In-class Test Due: Week 12 Monday (4 Oct 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 11 Oct 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 18 Oct 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Please read ENEC20003 unit website: General Information is available on the unit website.

Practical Classes for on-campus students will be scheduled and the details will be provided in week 2.
Students are required to be well prepared for the undergraduate Geotechnical Engineering unit before attending this unit in week 1.
Students must be able to defend their understanding and submission workings in a subsequent face to face or online interaction that may be arranged usually after any assignment submission.
No marks will be given if the student cannot satisfactorily explain the procedure and concept followed in solving problems.
For submissions with minimum marks, this may constitute a fail grade. During such an interrogation the student must take steps to demonstrate that the submission is their very own work.

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Team Research Project

Task Description

For this assessment, students will form teams and will conduct research on the given geotechnical engineering topics. These topics are related to the advanced methods for estimating the bearing capacity of the soil for foundation design, stability analyses, retaining structures design and exploration of the related Australian Standards. In some cases, students may also require using related geotechnical software packages for their report. Students are required to submit their report and also present it orally as a team.


Assessment Due Date

Week 5 Friday (13 Aug 2021) 4:55 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 8 Friday (10 Sept 2021)


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

The following criteria will be assessed:

a) Format of the report and including cover page, table of contents, abstract, literature, conclusion and examples (if any);
b) Work breakdown among team members;
c) The coherence of the research;
d) Completeness of the research and its details;
e) Complete Referencing; and
f) Quality of the presentation.

Professional presentation will have the following features:

  • The research is clearly identified;
  • A clear statement of each topic and its details and requirements;
  • Appropriate use of diagrams and clear diagrams;
  • Correct use of terminologies; and
  • Clear English in the explanation of the procedure and interpretation of the results.

Grades for the assessment will be determined based on the evidence and substantiation of attainment of the LOs (learning outcomes).

After submission of the team report, students must present their report orally to the class as a team and all are required to contribute to delivering the presentations. Students must be well prepared to answer any questions raised by the lecturer during the presentation about the topic of their research.

Individual Student's Grade:

Initially, team submission will be assessed and a grade will be given to each team. Then individual grade will be determined based on the contribution and performance of each student during the presentation (i.e., quality of the presentation and answers to the raised questions). Each student's contribution will be determined by peer assessment. It may be possible that the individual grade is higher than the team mark component. 50% of the total grade is attributed to the team report and 25% for the team presentation and the other 25% is attributed to the individual students' performance during the presentation.

Example: Team A (4 students) has gained 80% on the submitted report. During the presentation, team received 70% for their presentation and the performance values of the students were 50%, 100%, 90% and 70%, respectively. The final grade of each student for the team project (out of 30%) will be:

Student 1: (80*50%+70*25%+50*25%)*30%=21 out of 30
Student 2: (80*50%+70*25%+100*25%)*30%=24.8 out of 30
Student 3: (80*50%+70*25%+90*25%)*30%=24 out of 30
Student 4: (80*50%+70*25%+70*25%)*30%=22.5 out of 30

A similarity check will be always done before marking the submitted assignments for all students. Upon detection of any plagiarism including i) similarity between submitted reports within the same cohort or ii) with the previous cohorts or iii) submitted works to other institutes or iv) using the material provided by cheating websites will result in failing that assignment without marking and the student will be reported to the CQU Academic Misconduct team for further actions.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online Group

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Design group piles, pad foundations and earth retaining structures and assess stability of slopes
  • Formulate, plan, manage and complete projects individually or in teams in an ethical and professional manner considering stakeholder requirements and principals of sustainable development
  • Demonstrate a professional level of communication and leadership.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Analyse and design a geotechnical structure (individual project)

Task Description

The aim of this assessment is to allow the students to demonstrate their understanding of various concepts, theories and processes developed in the course. This may include but is not limited to foundation design, foundation settlement, soil reinforcement, slope stability, site investigation, earth retaining wall and soil improvement techniques. Formal assessment is by submission of a portfolio which contains evidence of all the individual works that the student has performed throughout the term.


Assessment Due Date

Week 7 Friday (3 Sept 2021) 4:55 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 10 Monday (20 Sept 2021)


Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Each question in this assessment will be assessed separately for the:

  • Criterion accuracy and correct results;
  • Correct application of mathematics and arithmetic;
  • Answers clearly identified; and
  • Correct results.

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

  • Evidence of correct procedures;
  • All necessary steps in the analysis are present in the correct order;
  • Clear presentation of the mathematical and arithmetical working linking is given;
  • Details of the problem with the results are obtained; and
  • Evidence of checking results (mathematical, graphical, logic common sense) are presented.

Evidence of an understanding of the topic:

  • Explanation of choices made in the analysis (why is the procedure required, why this particular procedure); and
  • Interpretation of results.

A similarity check will be always done before marking the submitted assignments for all students. Upon detection of any plagiarism including i) similarity between submitted reports within the same cohort or ii) with the previous cohorts or iii) submitted works to other institutes or iv) using the material provided by cheating websites will result in failing that assignment without marking and the student will be reported to the CQU Academic Misconduct team for further actions.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Formulate, plan, manage and complete projects individually or in teams in an ethical and professional manner considering stakeholder requirements and principals of sustainable development
  • Use appropriate software to analyse geotechnical components


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Self-management

3 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Laboratory report

Task Description

Practical exercises assist the students in achieving the learning outcomes for this unit. Students are required to complete the laboratory activities as per instructions given in the practical instruction sheet. The practical instruction sheet and report requirements will be given on the unit website. Students will handle soil and rock samples and it is possible that clothes become dusty and wet. Students must wear appropriate clothing for laboratory work, including closed shoes. Students who behave unprofessionally or risk the safety of other people or damage the equipment may be excluded from the laboratory class, and consequently, they may fail to complete compulsory assessment tasks and fail the unit. Students must attend the lab session before the start of the session and those who are late more than 15 minutes will be excluded and cannot attend other groups.


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Monday (20 Sept 2021) 4:55 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Friday (8 Oct 2021)


Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

  • Each student must prepare a technical description of the test and associated procedures and should prepare a data sheet to be used to record the results during the test.
  • Each student must prepare a short test report for each experiment. This includes calculations and discussion on the results and the test procedure description.
  • Test reports must be short and precise to point out calculations/results/graphs and discussion. The limit for explaining the procedure, results and conclusions is a maximum of 3-5 pages (Word file).
  • A complete submission for practical assessment includes 2 files:

a) An Excel File including all analyses and graphs. All cells must be formula-based to track the calculations,
b) Sample calculations must be included in the MS Word report file.
c) Word file to explain the procedure, results and conclusions (maximum of 3-5 pages).

Please also note that the practical report is an individual submission and each student should do their own analysis and explanations based on the test they have carried out. PDF files are not accepted for marking.

  • A similarity check will be always done before marking the submitted assignments for all students. Upon detection of any plagiarism including i) similarity between submitted reports within the same cohort or ii) with the previous cohorts or iii) submitted works to other institutes or iv) using the material provided by cheating websites will result in failing that assignment without marking and the student will be reported to the CQU Academic Misconduct team for further actions.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply site investigation and geotechnical testing techniques to characterise sites and geotechnical materials based on Australian Standards
  • Demonstrate a professional level of communication and leadership.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Research
  • Self-management

4 In-class Test(s)

Assessment Title
In-class Test

Task Description

This semester the Final Exam has been replaced with an in-class test. The test will be arranged in lieu of one of the class sessions in week 12. The class test duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes and is closed-book. The complementary information about the class-test will be provided in the unit website of ENEC20003.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Monday (4 Oct 2021) 11:45 pm AEST

The complementary information about the class-test will be provided in the unit website of ENEC20003.


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (22 Oct 2021)


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

The in-class test will examine the understanding of students of all covered topics in the provided lectures. The numerical analysis lectures will not be examined. The in-class test is not an open-book style and all necessary resources will be provided as required.


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Design group piles, pad foundations and earth retaining structures and assess stability of slopes


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge

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?