CIVL2280

Geomechanics 1

Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment School of Engineering

10 Units 2000 Level Course

Available in 2014

Callaghan Campus	Semester 2

Previously offered in 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004

Covers the basic principles of soil mechanics and engineering geology as a foundation for geotechnical modelling and rock mechanics. It aims to introduce students to the concepts and vocabulary of geotechnical engineering and to provide a basis for the geotechnical engineering strand.

Objectives

A1 To identify and understand the physical and chemical properties of soils and rocks of engineering interest.

A2 Understand the basic concepts of engineering geology and know how to apply them in civil engineering practice.

A3 To understand the central role played by the principle of effective stress in soil mechanics and geotechnical design.

A4 To calculate flow rate of water through saturated soil using Darcy's law and flow theory.

A5 To understand the theory of one dimensional consolidation in soft soils.

A6 To estimate the stresses in soils and the deformation properties of soils and introduce the concepts of settlement and consolidation.

A7 To illustrate the basic properties of soils and rocks by laboratory methods and field work.

Content

An introduction to soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering. Topics include: physical properties and classification of soil and rock, index properties of soil and rock, behaviour of rock mass, rock structures, site mapping, soil classification, weathering, the colloidal behaviour of clays, soil chemistry, capillarity, seepage and flow nets, the principles of effective stress, settlement, consolidation and compaction.

Replacing Course(s)

N/A.

Transition

N/A.

Industrial Experience

Assumed Knowledge

Content covered in CIVL1121 Mechanics and Materials or GENG1001 Introductory Mechanics.

Modes of Delivery

Internal Mode

Teaching Methods

Field Study
Lecture
Laboratory

Assessment Items

Examination: Class	Practical examination during laboratory classes.
Essays / Written Assignments	Three written assignments to provide feedback on calculation type questions.
Examination: Formal	NOTE: Any modification to the above assessment arrangement will appear on the course outline normally issued in Week 1.
Laboratory Exercises	Completed at the end of each of the four laboratory classes (compulsory item).
Reports	Field reports - compulsory item based on attendance at excursion (may be replaced by written assignment in the event the excursion has to be rescheduled).

Contact Hours

Lecture: for 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Field Study: for 4 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Laboratory: for 2.5 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Tutorial: for 1 hour(s) per Week for Full Term

Compulsory Components

Compulsory Course Component

Field Trip :
The field trip provides students a course critical context for the material presented in class. Participation during the field trip is required as is the completion of a field report. Students missing this field trip will be allowed to complete a 10,000 word essay on topics associated with concepts presented during the field trip if an appropriate adverse circumstances form has been lodged according to the adverse circumstances policy. Students failing to attend the field trip, and not lodging an appropriate adverse circumstances request, will fail this course by virtue of the compulsory component clause.

Laboratories:
All four laboratories are critical to student understanding of the materials presented, and to be presented, in the lectures and as such are a compulsory course component. Students are required to complete all laboratories in the scheduled times unless an appropriate adverse circumstances form has been lodged according to the adverse circumstances policy. Where students fail to lodge an adverse circumstances form, and miss one or more laboratories, a fail grade will be recorded for this course by virtue of the compulsory component clause. If an appropriate adverse circumstance form has been accepted by the course co-ordinator, an alternate laboratory will be scheduled before the end of the current semester.

Timetables