CIV5147 · Advanced geomechanics

Overview

This unit covers all aspects of geomechanics at intermediate and advanced levels including consolidation theory of soils, estimation of consolidation and creep settlements for different types of soils, advanced topics on shear strength of soils under various drainage conditions, stress-paths and laboratory triaxial tests, determination of drained and undrained shear strength parameters, critical state mechanics and various failure criteria, soil and rock slope analysis, earth pressure theory and design of retaining walls. Applications to practical problems are key aspects of the learning covered.

Areas of study: E6011 Master of Professional Engineering - Specialisation: Civil engineering

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Continuous assessment: 50% Final assessment: 50% This unit contains hurdle requirements that you must achieve to be able to pass the unit. You are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final assessment component. The consequence of not achieving a hurdle requirement is a fail grade (NH) and a maximum mark of 45 for the unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Determine soil consolidation time and associated settlements.
2. Appraise the shear strength of soils and rocks.
3. Analyse advanced soil strength testing and stress paths results considering drained and undrained behaviour.
4. Draw on various soil models to analyse soil/rock behaviour.
5. Analyse stability of soil and rock slopes.
6. Draw on earth pressure theories to design basic retaining walls.
7. Communicate professional decisions to specialist and/or non-specialist audiences.

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.