Geotechnical Engineering
Unit code: HES3150
| Credit points | 12.5 Credit Points |
| Duration | 1 Semester |
| Contact hours | 60 Hours |
| Campus | Hawthorn, Sarawak |
| Prerequisites | |
| Corequisites | Nil |
Related course(s)
A unit of study in the;
Aims and objectives
This unit of study aims to introduce you to the fundamentals and basic techniques used in Geotechnical Engineering. In particular, it will provide you with the design and construction principles used in Civil and Geotechnical Engineering type structures such as earth retaining structures, shallow foundations, residential slabs and footings, deep foundations, and the assessment of stability for sloping ground.
After successfully completing this unit, you should be able to:
1. Analyse earth retaining structures to determine active, passive and at rest lateral earth pressures (and associated forces) based on Mohr circles and the Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria of soils. (K1, K2, K3, K6, S1, S2, S3)
2. Determine bearing capacities for shallow foundations and be able to design suitable footing systems for various soil conditions based on strength and settlement criteria. (K1, K2, K3, K6, S1, S2, S3)
1. Analyse earth retaining structures to determine active, passive and at rest lateral earth pressures (and associated forces) based on Mohr circles and the Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria of soils. (K1, K2, K3, K6, S1, S2, S3)
2. Determine bearing capacities for shallow foundations and be able to design suitable footing systems for various soil conditions based on strength and settlement criteria. (K1, K2, K3, K6, S1, S2, S3)
3. Interpret how combined shallow footings work and be able to appropriate design them for various sites and soil conditions. (K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3)
4. Appreciate the soil – structure interaction model for residential slab footings and active type soils, and thus be able to select appropriate shallow footing systems for residential structures and design them in accordance with Australian Standard AS2870 for various site and soil conditions. (K1, K2, K3, K4, K6, S1, S2, S3, A2, A7)
5. Design deep foundations based on strength and settlement criteria for various sites and soils conditions. (K1, K2, K3, K6, S1, S2, S3)
6. Analyse sloping ground against slope failure and assess the factor of safety using multiple methods of analysis. (K1, K2, K3, K6, S1, S2, S3)
7. Conduct basic technical investigations by performing a literature review, compile and analyse the information gathered, and produce a brief and concise (journal style) report with an appropriate conclusion. (A2, A4, A5, A7)
8. Perform a brief and concise oral presentation of technical material, which simulates a conference style presentation. (A2, A4, A5, A7)
4. Appreciate the soil – structure interaction model for residential slab footings and active type soils, and thus be able to select appropriate shallow footing systems for residential structures and design them in accordance with Australian Standard AS2870 for various site and soil conditions. (K1, K2, K3, K4, K6, S1, S2, S3, A2, A7)
5. Design deep foundations based on strength and settlement criteria for various sites and soils conditions. (K1, K2, K3, K6, S1, S2, S3)
6. Analyse sloping ground against slope failure and assess the factor of safety using multiple methods of analysis. (K1, K2, K3, K6, S1, S2, S3)
7. Conduct basic technical investigations by performing a literature review, compile and analyse the information gathered, and produce a brief and concise (journal style) report with an appropriate conclusion. (A2, A4, A5, A7)
8. Perform a brief and concise oral presentation of technical material, which simulates a conference style presentation. (A2, A4, A5, A7)
Swinburne Engineering Competencies for this Unit of Study
This Unit of Study will contribute to you attaining the following Swinburne Engineering Competencies:
K1 Basic Science: Proficiently applies concepts, theories and techniques of the relevant natural and physical sciences.
K2 Maths and IT as Tools: Proficiently uses relevant mathematics and computer and information science concepts as tools.
K3 Discipline Specific: Proficiently applies advanced technical knowledge of the specific discipline within that context.
K4 Emerging Disciplinary Trends: Interprets and applies current or emerging knowledge from inside and outside the specific discipline.
K6 Professional Practice: Appreciates the principles of professional engineering practice in a sustainable context.
S1 Engineering Methods: Applies engineering methods in practical applications.
S2 Problem Solving: Systematically uses engineering methods in solving complex problems.
S3 Design: Systematically uses engineering methods in design.
A2 Communication: Demonstrates effective communication to professional and wider audiences.
A4 Information Management: Demonstrates seeking, using, assessing and managing information.
A5 Professional Self: Demonstrates professionalism.
A7 Teamwork: Demonstrates effective team membership and team leadership.
This Unit of Study will contribute to you attaining the following Swinburne Engineering Competencies:
K1 Basic Science: Proficiently applies concepts, theories and techniques of the relevant natural and physical sciences.
K2 Maths and IT as Tools: Proficiently uses relevant mathematics and computer and information science concepts as tools.
K3 Discipline Specific: Proficiently applies advanced technical knowledge of the specific discipline within that context.
K4 Emerging Disciplinary Trends: Interprets and applies current or emerging knowledge from inside and outside the specific discipline.
K6 Professional Practice: Appreciates the principles of professional engineering practice in a sustainable context.
S1 Engineering Methods: Applies engineering methods in practical applications.
S2 Problem Solving: Systematically uses engineering methods in solving complex problems.
S3 Design: Systematically uses engineering methods in design.
A2 Communication: Demonstrates effective communication to professional and wider audiences.
A4 Information Management: Demonstrates seeking, using, assessing and managing information.
A5 Professional Self: Demonstrates professionalism.
A7 Teamwork: Demonstrates effective team membership and team leadership.
Assessment
| Types | Individual or Group Assessment | Weighting |
| Design Assignment | Group | 10% - 15% |
| Test(s) | Individual | 10% - 15% |
| Written Research Report | Group | 5% - 15% |
| Oral Project Presentation | Group | 5% - 15% |
| Examination | Individual | 60% - 80% |
Content
Lateral Earth Pressures and Design of Retaining Walls (20%)
- Introduction to types / classes of earth retaining structures
- Lateral earth pressure calculations for (restrained) at-rest conditions
- Theory of stress–strain behaviour of soils behind retaining walls unrestrained conditions
- Rankine's active and passive lateral earth pressure calculations detailing the effect of water pressure on retaining walls
- Coulomb's active and passive earth pressure theory and Coulomb's graphical solution (including wall friction and non vertical walls)
- Stability and design concepts of retaining structures as well as construction issues
Bearing Capacity and Design of Shallow Foundations (25%)
- Simple bearing capacity theory including local and general shear failure, factor of safety, eccentric loads, inclined loads, influence of water table, moments and overturning of shallow foundations
- Extended bearing capacity theory to include various theories from Meyerhof, Hansen and Vesic to evaluate the accuracy of each method
- Hansen's Modified method of bearing capacity analysis for sloping ground
- Bearing capacity analysis of layered soils
- Site investigation requirements for shallow foundations
- Analysis and design of combined footings (Rectangular, Trapezoidal and Strap type combined footings)
- Construction issues of shallow foundations and combined footings
- Remedial underpinning methods of shallow foundations
Residential Slabs and Footings Design to AS2870 (15%)
- Site Classification to AS2870 by characteristic surface movement
- Design of stiffened raft slabs, waffle raft slabs, standard strip footings and pier/beam/slab systems
- Modification of Standard Slabs (AS2870) using Engineering Principles
- Construction issues for residential slabs and footings
Piling and Design of Deep Foundations (25%)
- Types of piles (bored vs. displacement) and the materials used in deep foundations
- Design of single piles for friction and end bearing strength in cohesive and non-cohesive soils
- Settlement of single piles
- Design of piles groups for strength and settlement
- Pile construction and factors to consider
- Lateral forces on piles (short and long mechanism)
- Site investigation techniques for deep foundations
Slope Stability Analysis (15%)
- Types, causes and examples of sloping ground failure
- Theory for the stability of infinite non-cohesive slopes and all finite slopes
- Analysis of finite slopes by the Mass Procedure, Ordinary Method of Slices, and Bishop's Modified Method of Slices – all detailing the significance of pore pressures, triaxial tests, and the influence of tension cracks
- Site investigation for slope stability analysis
- Slope stabilisation methods and use of stability charts
