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ENEC12008 - Geotechnical Engineering

General Information

Unit Synopsis

This unit explains why geological processes that produce landforms, geological structures, rocks, and soils affect the location, design, construction, and maintenance of civil engineering projects. In the unit, you will conduct geotechnical tests, analyse test data, prepare geotechnical reports, and discuss the engineering characteristics and properties of soil. You will select appropriate approaches for analysing the behaviour of soils in civil engineering applications. You will need to use appropriate 'civil engineering language' in context and document the process of modelling and analysis of geotechnical problems. You will present information in a professional manner and communicate, work, and learn, both individually and in teams. You will be required to have access to a computer and to make frequent use of the internet, particularly if you are a distance (FLEX) student. Distance students will complete the practical work at a residential school.

Details

Level Undergraduate
Unit Level 2
Credit Points 6
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 2
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.125
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisites: [ENEG11006 Engineering Statics OR PHYS11184 Engineering Physics A OR ENAG11005 Mechanics] AND [MATH11218 Applied Mathematics OR MATH11160 Technology Mathematics]

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).

Class Timetable View Unit Timetable
Residential School Compulsory Residential School
View Unit Residential School

Unit Availabilities from Term 2 - 2020

Term 2 - 2020 Profile
Bundaberg
Cairns
Gladstone
Mackay
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2021 Profile
Bundaberg
Cairns
Gladstone
Mackay
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2022 Profile
Bundaberg
Cairns
Gladstone
Mackay
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2023 Profile
Bundaberg
Cairns
Gladstone
Mackay
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2024 Profile
Bundaberg
Cairns
Gladstone
Mackay
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2025 Profile
Bundaberg
Cairns
Gladstone
Mackay
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2026 Profile
Bundaberg
Cairns
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).

Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. Written Assessment 20%
2. Written Assessment 20%
3. Practical Assessment 20%
4. Take Home Exam 40%

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

Past Exams

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Previous Feedback

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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.

Source: SUTE
Feedback
The content was relatable to engineering practice and the lecturer was very passionate about the subject matter.
Recommendation
The high relevancy of the content with changing engineering practice should be maintained.
Action Taken
The practical relevance of the unit shall be maintained.
Source: SUTE
Feedback
The course requirements were very clearly communicated.
Recommendation
The clear communication style should be upheld in all future offerings.
Action Taken
Clear communication of the unit material and assessments shall be maintained.
Source: SUTE
Feedback
The residential school was a good opportunity to practice various soil testing. A longer residential school would be better.
Recommendation
The residential school component should be maintained along with increasing the duration to four days.
Action Taken
The residential school time has been increased to four days.
Source: SUTE
Feedback
The lectures were very engaging with demonstrated passion.
Recommendation
The engaging nature of the lectures with student participation should be maintained.
Action Taken
In Progress
Source: SUTE
Feedback
The assessments were relevant and useful for learning.
Recommendation
The practical nature of the assessments and other learning resources should be maintained.
Action Taken
In Progress
Source: SUTE
Feedback
Need to make it clear that lectures are an indispensable resource.
Recommendation
Better communication of the unit requirements should be made in future offerings.
Action Taken
In Progress
Unit learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Identify and discuss the implications of geological factors affecting the location, design, construction, and maintenance of civil engineering projects
  2. Conduct geotechnical tests, analyse test data, and prepare geotechnical reports
  3. Calculate basic engineering properties of soils and explain the relationship to soil behaviour
  4. Analyse the behaviour of soil in response to engineering applications using appropriate theories and national standards
  5. Communicate, work and learn both individually and in teams, document the process of modelling, testing, and analysis and present the information in a professional manner.

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

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Written Assessment • • • • •
2 - Written Assessment • • • • •
3 - Practical Assessment • • • • •
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
• Introductory Level
• Intermediate Level
• Graduate Level
Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
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 • •
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
• Introductory Level
• Intermediate Level
• Graduate Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10
1 - Written Assessment • • • • • •
2 - Written Assessment • • • • •
3 - Practical Assessment • • • • • •
4 - Take Home Exam • • • •