Geotechnical Engineering

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

120 hours

Students must have completed BOTHthe following subjects, or equivalent, to enrol in this subject:

None

Learning in this subject will be assisted by knowledge gained in the following subject:

This subject replaces:

• 421-306 Geotechnical Engineering

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Students completing this unit should understand how to make simplifications to complex soil conditions, how to establish strength/deformation characteristics of the soil and how to apply fundamental geomechanics knowledge learned in earlier units to solve problems involving the stability of an earth mass.

Topics covered include a detailed review of porewater pressures and effective stress, soil strength and compressibility, consolidation, compaction and their applications to geotechnical design in selected areas such as foundations, earth retaining structures, reinforced soil, slope stability and pavements

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• Make simplifications to complex soil conditions
• Establish strength/deformation characteristics of soil
• Apply fundamental Geomechanics knowledge learned in earlier units to solve problems involving the stability of an earth mass

• One 3-hour examination, end of semester (70%)
• Three x 1000 word assignments, due throughout the semester (30%)

Hurdle requirement: Students must pass BOTH assignment and exam components to pass the subject

Course notes will be made available in LMS or for purchase from the University Bookroom

None

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals
• Ability to communicate effectively, not only with engineers but also with the community at large
• Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
• Ability to utilise systems approach to design adn operational performance
• Ability to function effectively as an individual in multi-disciplinary and multicultural teams, with the capacity to be a leader or manager as well as an effective team member
• Expectation of the need to undertake lifelong learning and the capacity to do so
• Capacity for independent critical through, rational inquiry and self-directed elarning
• Intellectual curiousity and creativity, including understanding of the philosophical and methodological bases of research activity