SOIL MECHANICS
CIV3SOM
2018
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
Soil Mechanics is the first of the two geotechnical engineering subjects included in the Civil Engineering course. This subject introduces students to the basic concepts of the mechanics of soils. It covers soil descriptions and classification, the fundamental multi-phase nature of soils and the phase relationships, elementary seepage problems and the effective stress concept, deformation and shear strength of soils. Laboratory techniques to measure these properties will also be studied. Engineers Australia stage 1 competencies covered in this subject are: 1.1, 1.2, 1.6, 2.1,2.2, 2.3.
SchoolSchool Engineering&Mathematical Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorHossam Abo El-Naga
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites PHY1SCA and EMS1MS
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects CIV3GTA
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Principles of geotechnical engineering | Prescribed | Braja D. | 7th Edn. Cengage Learning. |
| Readings | Soil mechanics | Recommended | Craig R. | 7th Edn. MacMillan Co of Australia. |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Describe and classify soils based on their basic physical characteristics Includes EA stage 1 competencies 1.6 Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of contemporary engineering practice in the engineering discipline. 2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources
- Activities:
- The material is covered in lectures, video resources to support learning, online tutorials and laboratory experiments, and is assessed in laboratory reports, biweekly quizzes, test and in the final exam.
02. Determine the basic physical characteristics of a soil continuum. Includes EA stage 1 competencies 2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
- Activities:
- The material is covered in lectures, video resources to support learning, and online tutorials, and is assessed in biweekly quizzes, test and in the final exam.
03. Specify soil compaction criteria for field applications and identify suitable equipment for field compaction. Includes EA stage 1 competencies 2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
- Activities:
- The material is covered in lectures, video resources to support learning, and online tutorials and laboratory experiments, and is assessed in laboratory reports, biweekly quizzes, test and in the final exam.
04. Understand the concept of effective stress in soil mechanics and determine stresses in soil from surface loads Includes EA stage 1 competencies 2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving 2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
- Activities:
- The material is covered in lectures, video resources to support learning, and online tutorials, and is assessed in biweekly quizzes, test and in the final exam.
05. Determine the permeability of soils using the results of both laboratory tests and in-situ tests conducted in the field and understand how 2D groundwater flows for a wide range of ground conditions. Includes EA stage 1 competencies 1.1 Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. 1.2 Conceptual understanding of the, mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline.
- Activities:
- The material is covered in lectures, video resources to support learning, online tutorials and laboratory experiments, and is assessed in laboratory reports, biweekly quizzes, test and in the final exam.
06. Determine the mechanical properties which characterise the consolidation behaviour from laboratory testing and calculate ground settlements as a function of time due to consolidation Includes EA stage 1 competencies 1.1 Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. 1.2 Conceptual understanding of the, mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline.
- Activities:
- The material is covered in lectures, video resources to support learning, and online tutorials, and is assessed in biweekly quizzes, test and in the final exam.
07. Understand the method of operation of standard laboratory shear testing apparatus (direct shear, triaxial) and derive strength properties of soil from these tests. Includes EA stage 1 competencies 1.1 Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. 1.2 Conceptual understanding of the, mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline.
- Activities:
- The material is covered in lectures, video resources to support learning, and online tutorials, and is assessed in biweekly quizzes, test and in the final exam.
Subject options
Select to view your study options…
Bendigo, 2018, Semester 1, Blended
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorHossam Abo El-Naga
Class requirements
WorkShop
Week:
10
-
22
One 2.0 hours workshop per week
on weekdays
during the day
from week 10 to week 22
and delivered via face-to-face.
Lecture
Week:
10
-
22
One 2.0 hours lecture per week
on weekdays
during the day
from week 10 to week 22
and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 practical group reports (each equivalent to 200 words per student) | 15 | 01, 02, 03, 05 | |
| Five online assignments (each equivalent to 200) | 25 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07 | |
| One test (equivalent to 500 words) | 10 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06 | |
| One 2-hour examination | 50 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07 |
Melbourne, 2018, Semester 1, Blended
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorHossam Abo El-Naga
Class requirements
WorkShop
Week:
10
-
22
One 2.0 hours workshop per week
on weekdays
during the day
from week 10 to week 22
and delivered via face-to-face.
Lecture
Week:
10
-
22
One 2.0 hours lecture per week
on weekdays
during the day
from week 10 to week 22
and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 practical group reports (each equivalent to 200 words per student) | 15 | 01, 02, 03, 05 | |
| Five online assignments (each equivalent to 200) | 25 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07 | |
| One test (equivalent to 500 words) | 10 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06 | |
| One 2-hour examination | 50 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07 |