Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Geotechnical Engineering 1
Credit Points: 12.00
Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
CIVE1178 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
120H Civil, Environmental & Chemical Engineering |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2006, Sem 2 2007, Sem 2 2008, Sem 2 2009, Sem 2 2010, Sem 2 2012, Sem 2 2013, Sem 2 2015, Sem 1 2016, Sem 2 2016 |
CIVE1178 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
172H School of Engineering |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2019, Sem 2 2020, Sem 2 2021, Sem 2 2022, Sem 2 2023, Sem 2 2024 |
Course Coordinator: A/Professor Gang Ren
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2409
Course Coordinator Email: gang.ren@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: 10.12.27
Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
Recommended Prior Study
You should have satisfactorily completed or received credit for the following course/s before you commence this course:
• CIVE1265 Introduction to Civil & Infrastructure Engineering
If you have completed prior studies at RMIT or another institution that developed the skills and knowledge covered in the above course/s you may be eligible to apply for credit transfer.
Alternatively, if you have prior relevant work experience that developed the skills and knowledge covered in the above course/s you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.
Please follow the link for further information on how to apply for credit for prior study or experience.
Course Description
Geotechnical engineering deals with the behaviour of soils under the influence of loading from structures. It is one of the most important branches of civil engineering. It uses the concepts of soil and rock mechanics to model real world engineering problems, aided by empirical observations and a systematic classification of soil materials which seeks to correlate classification and physical properties with engineering behaviour. This course serves as an introduction to geotechnical engineering and covers basic concepts and terminology. It is a prerequisite course for the subsequent Geotechnical Engineering 2 (CIVE1108) and Geotechnical Engineering 3 (CIVE1159).
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) for:
BH077P23 Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) (Honours)
BH080P23 Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering) (Honours)
BH088CIH23 Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Infrastructure) (Engineering) (Honours) / Bachelor of Business
PLO 1. Demonstrate a coherent and advanced understanding of scientific theories, principles and concepts and engineering fundamentals within the engineering discipline
PLO 2. Demonstrate a coherent and advanced body of knowledge within the engineering discipline
PLO 3. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities, bounds, design practice and research trends of contemporary engineering practice including sustainable practice
PLO 4. Apply knowledge of established engineering methods to the solution of complex problems in the engineering discipline
PLO 5. Utilise mathematics, software, tools and techniques, referencing appropriate engineering standards and codes of practice, in the design of complex engineering systems
PLO 9. Demonstrate the capacity for personal accountability, professional and ethical conduct, intellectual independence, cultural sensitivity, autonomy, adaptability, and reflection on own learning and career when undertaking engineering projects
PLO 10. Critically analyse, evaluate, and transform information, while exercising professional judgement, in an engineering context.
PLO 11. Collaborate and contribute as an effective team member or leader in diverse, multi-disciplinary teams, with commitment to First Nations peoples and/or globally inclusive perspectives and participation in an engineering context.
This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) for:
BH076 Bachelor of Engineering (Sustainable Systems Engineering) (Honours)
BH077 Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Infrastructure)(Honours)
BH080 Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering)(Honours)
BH088CIHDD Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Infrastructure)(Honours) / Bachelor of Business (Management)
BH092SSHDD Bachelor of Engineering (Sustainable Systems Engineering) (Honours) / Bachelor of Business (Management)
BH100SSHDD Bachelor of Engineering (Sustainable Systems Eng) (Honours) / Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours)
1 Knowledge and Skill Base
1.3 In depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
1.6 Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of contemporary engineering practice in the specific discipline.
2 Engineering Application Ability
2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
For more information on the program learning outcomes for your program, please see the program guide.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
CLO1 Describe geotechnical soil engineering principles, analyses and behaviours for safe foundations and earthwork designs.
CLO2 Determine geotechnical system permeability and conductivity for structure stability and safety.
CLO3 Describe a soil investigation program from theoretical geophysical and applied process perspectives.
CLO4 Determine soil mass stress distribution affects soil compaction and stability.
CLO5 Conduct soil shear strength practical and mathematical analysis for geotechnical stability reporting.
CLO6 Critically self-reflect on professional geotechnical team role and performance through personal accountability and ethical perspectives.
Overview of Learning Activities
You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as pre-recorded lecture videos, tutorials, laboratory demonstrations, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both.
Pre-recorded lecture videos will involve the discussion of theory on various topics of geotechnical engineering. You will learn to apply theoretical knowledge to problem solving in geotechnical engineering practice.
You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course.
Total study hours: You will undertake the equivalent of 65 hours per semester in viewing lecture videos, tutorials and demonstrations. In addition you can expect to spend the same amount of hours in independent study.
Overview of Learning Resources
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course.
There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.
Overview of Assessment
Note that: This course has no hurdle requirements
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1: Open book assessment, 35%, CLO1, CLO3 and CLO4
Assessment Task 2: Quizzes, 20%, CLO2 and CLO5
Assessment Task 3: Assignment, 45%, CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5 and CLO6
If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.