CIV5149 · Foundation engineering

Overview

Review of soil mechanics model; the geological context of a project; site investigation and laboratory testing techniques; conceptual design of foundations; elastic, consolidation and creep settlement of shallow footings; total and differential settlement; bearing capacity of shallow footings of layered soils; raft foundations; piling options; the relationship between construction techniques and pile performance; axial capacity of single piles in compression and tension; settlement of single piles; capacity and settlement of pile groups; piled rafts; lateral capacity of piles; rational methods for design of rock-socketed piles; static, dynamic, statnamic and integrity testing of piles.

Offerings

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Assessment

The Handbook publishes no assessment items for this unit yet.

Continuous assessment: 60% Final assessment: 40% 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. The assessments of this unit are designed to demonstrate the achievement of the advanced learning outcomes and standards expected of Master’s level coursework.

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

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Assess geotechnical investigation carried out for a civil infrastructure development project.
2. Generate geological models for a development site based on the geotechnical investigation data.
3. Predict design parameters for materials of interest from the geotechnical investigation results and existing correlations.
4. Draw on site-specific material properties to design shallow foundations on complex ground profiles satisfying limit states requirements.
5. Design pile foundations for complex loads and ground conditions based on limit state and serviceability requirements.
6. 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.