Course Title: Apply principles of soil mechanics to civil engineering

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2019

Course Code: CIVE7798

Course Title: Apply principles of soil mechanics to civil engineering

School: 174T School of VE Engineering, Health & Science

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6162 - Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology (Civil Engineering Design)

Course Contact: Program Manager

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4468

Course Contact Email: vehs@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

 

Dr M M Younus Ali
Course Coordinator and Teacher
School of Vocational Engineering, Health and Sciences (SVEHS)
Building 57, Level 5, Room 34
RMIT University (City Campus)
115 Queensberry Street, Carlton South
VIC  3053, Australia
Tel: +61 3 9925 4646
Email: m.m.younus.ali@rmit.edu.au

 

Nazneen Aktar
Teacher
School of Vocational Engineering, Health and Sciences (SVEHS)
Building 57, Level 5, Room 34
RMIT University (City Campus)
115 Queensberry Street, Carlton South
VIC 3053, Australia
Tel: +61 3 9925 1847
Email: nazneen.aktar@rmit.edu.au

 

Dr. Amita Iyer
Program Manager
School of Vocational Engineering, Health and Science (SVEHS)
Program Manager
Tel: (03) 9925 8311
Fax: (03) 9925 4189
Email: amita.iyer@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 60

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

Pre­requisite - MEM23004A – Apply technical mathematics

Course Description

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to take representative soil samples and carry out standard tests to evaluate and classify soils in accordance to relevant Australian standards and guidelines


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VU22562 Apply principles of soil mechanics to civil engineering

Element:

1. Identify soils to be tested and analysed

Performance Criteria:

1.1    Occupational Health and Safety/Workplace Health and Safety (OHS/WHS) requirements and environmental requirements for a given work area are obtained and followed.

1.2    Safety hazards which have not previously been identified are documented and risk control measures devised and implemented.

1.3    Relevant documentation, and work requests are discussed with appropriate personnel and co-ordinated effectively with others involved at the work site.

1.4    Resources needed for the task are obtained in accordance with enterprise procedures

Element:

2. Plan tests and analyse a range of soils

Performance Criteria:

2.1    Required tests are confirmed

against job instructions

2.2    Representative soil/s sample/s are collected and prepared

for testing in accordance Australian standards and enterprise procedures.

2.3    Testing equipment is checked for calibration and conformance to relevant Australian standard

2.4    If appropriate, the origin of the soils to be tested is identified and recorded.

Element:

3. Conduct test and analyse results

Performance Criteria:

3.1

OHS/WHS requirements for operating testing equipment are followed.

3.2

Tests are conducted according to job requirements relevant Australian standard, guidelines and enterprise procedures.

3.3

Tests equipment is operated in accordance with manufacturer’s requirements.

3.4

Results are recorded and analysed and discussed with appropriate personnel.

3.5

Decisions for dealing with unexpected situations are made from discussions with appropriate personnel, job specifications and enterprise procedures.

3.7

Test results analysed and soil samples classified in accordance with Australian standard, guidelines and enterprise procedures

Element:

4. Document and report results

Performance Criteria:

4.1

Test results are recorded, and reported according to enterprise procedures.

4.2

Results are stored and archived according to enterprise procedures.


Learning Outcomes


Refer to Elements


Details of Learning Activities

You will be involved in the following learning activities to meet requirements for this competency and stage 1 competencies for Engineering Associates.


• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Practicals
• Review questions
• Case projects
• Lab reports

Engineers Australia Mapping Information:

This course is mapped against stage 1 competencies for Engineering Associates developed by Engineers Australia as detailed below:

EA 1. Knowledge and Skill Base
EA1.1. Descriptive, formula-based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the practice area.
EA 1.2. Procedural-level understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the practice area.
EA 1.3. In depth practical knowledge and skills within specialist sub-disciplines of the practice area.
EA 1.4. Discernment of engineering developments within the practice area.
EA 1.5. Knowledge of contextual factors impacting the practice area.
EA 1.6. Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of contemporary engineering practice in the area of practice.

EA 2. Engineering Application Ability
EA 2.1. Application of established technical and practical methods to the solution of well-defined engineering problems.
EA 2.2. Application of technical and practical techniques, tools and resources to well defined engineering problems.
EA 2.3. Application of systematic synthesis and design processes to well defined engineering problems.
EA 2.4. Application of systematic project management processes.

EA 3. Professional and Personal Attributes
EA 3.1. Ethical conduct and professional accountability.
EA 3.2. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
EA 3.3. Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.
EA 3.4. Professional use and management of information.
EA 3.5. Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
EA 3.6. Effective team membership and team leadership.

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies are mapped with competency VU22484 in the Assessment Matrix.


Teaching Schedule

 The proposed teaching schedule for this competency is detailed below:

Week                               Topics Delivered                            
Elements/Performance Criteria
1 Introduction to the subject and OHS/WHS (Identification and documentation of OHS/WHS issues and environmental requirements in the lab and in the field, and methods of reporting control measurements to appropriate personnel) Origin and the process of soil formations. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1
2

Origin and the process of soil formations (Continued), Soil parameters and classification of soil (Sieve Analysis Test)

1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2
3 Soil parameters and classification of soil (Atterberg limits test) 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2
4 Soil parameters and classification of soil (Soil particle density test) (Sieve Analysis Lab Week 4-5) 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2,1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2 
5

Mass volume relationships of soil/Soil phase relationships 

2,1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2 
6-7

Properties of soil (Theory of soil compaction) (Standard and/or Modified)

1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4,  3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5,3.6,3.7, 4.1, 4.2
8 Test 1 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4,  3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2
9-11

Properties of soil (Shear strength test) (Atterberg Limits Test Lab Week 9-10)

1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2,1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2 
12 Properties of soil (Permeability test) (Compaction Test Lab Week 12-13) 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2,1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2 
13 Properties of soil [California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test] 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2,4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2
14-15 Consolidation of fine grained soils (Soil Particle Density Test Lab Week 15-16) 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2,1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2 
16 Soil stabilisation and related parameters 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2
17 - 18  Test 2 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Online notes posted on Blackboard


References

Australian Standard 1289 – Methods of testing of soils for engineering purposes
Australian Standard 1726 – Geotechnical site investigations
Australian Standard 1141 – Methods for sampling and testing of aggregates

Library


Other Resources

Soil Mechanics: Principles and Practice by G E Barnes (4E)

 

Australian Standard 1726 - Geotechnical Site Investigations

 

Australian Standards 1289 - Methods of Testing Soils for Engineering Purposes

 

Manual of Soil Laboratory Testing (Volume 1) by K H Head, Pentech Press

 

Manual of Soil Laboratory Testing (Volume 2) by K H Head, Pentech Press

 

Manual of Soil Laboratory Testing (Volume 3) by K H Head, Pentech Press

 


Overview of Assessment

The assessment is conducted in both theoretical and practical aspects of the course according to the performance criteria set in the National Training Package. Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including written/oral activities and demonstration of practical skills to the relevant industry standards. Participants are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment activities to their teacher/assessor. Feedback will be provided throughout the course. To successfully complete this course, you will be required to demonstrate competency in each assessment task detailed under Assessment Tasks:

Assessment 1: Test 1

Assessment 2: Practical laboratory tests

Assessment 3: Test 2

 

These tasks assess the following Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs):

Assessment Mapping Matrix

Element/Performance Criteria Covered

 Test 1

Practical Laboratory  Test

Test 2

1.1

 X

 X

 X

1.2

 X

 X

 X

1.3

 

 X

 

1.4

 X

 X

 X

2.1

 X

 X

 X

2.2

 X

 X

 X

2.3

 X

 X

 X

2.4

 X

 X

 X

3.1

 X

 X

 X

3.2

 

 X

 

3.3

 X

 X

 X

3.4

 

 X

 

3.5

 X

 X

 X

3.6

 

 X

 

3.7

 

 X

 

4.1

 X

 X

4.2

 X

 X

 X

 


Assessment Tasks

Assessment 1: Test 1 

Assessment 2: Practical laboratory tests

Assessment 3: Test 2 

The practical laboratory tests and the tests must be completed successfully to be eligible to be deemed competent.

This course is graded as Competent or Not Yet Competent and subsequently the following course grades are allocated:

CHD - Competent with High Distinction
CDI - Competent with Distinction
CC - Competent with Credit
CAG - Competency Achieved - Graded
NYC - Not Yet Competent
DNS - Did Not Submit for Assessment.


Assessment Matrix

Assessment vs VU22562 Elements & Performance Criteria

  VU22562 Elements & Performance Criteria
Assessments 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 4.1 4.2
Test 1 X x   X X  x X X   X   X     X X
Practical  laboratory tests X X  X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Test 2 X x   X X  x X X X   X   X     X

 Assessment vs Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies

  Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
Assessments EA1.1 EA1.2 EA1.3 EA1.4 EA1.5 EA1.6 EA2.1 EA2.2 EA2.3 EA2.4 EA3.1 EA3.2 EA3.3 EA3.4 EA3.5 EA3.6
Written Test 1  x  x  x    x  x  x    x    x      x    
Practical laboratory tests  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  x
Written Test 2  x  x  x    x  x  x    x    x      x    
 All Assessments VU22562  3  3  3  1  3  3  3  1  3  1  3  1  1  3  1  1
 0 (Blank) Graduate attribute is not assessed.               
 1 Graduate attribute is assessed in at least one, but less than one-third, of the Element               
 2 Graduate attribute is assessed in at least one third, but less than two-thirds, of the Element               
 3  Graduate attribute is assessed in more than two-thirds of the Element               

Other Information

Student directed hours involve completing activities such as reading online resources, assignments, individual student-teacher course-related consultation. Students are required to self-study the learning materials and complete the assigned out of class activities. The estimated time is minimum 20 hours outside the class time.

Credit Transfer and/or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
You may be eligible for credit towards courses in your program if you have already met the learning/competency outcomes through previous learning and/or industry experience. To be eligible for credit towards a course, you must demonstrate that you have already completed learning and/or gained industry experience that is:

  • Relevant
    • Current
    • Satisfies the learning/competency outcomes of the course

Please refer to http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit to find more information about credit transfer and RPL.
 

Study and learning Support: 

Study and Learning Centre (SLC) provides free learning and academic development advice to you. 
Services offered by SLC to support your numeracy and literacy skills are: 

  • assignment writing, thesis writing and study skills advice
  • maths and science developmental support and advice
  • English language development

Please Refer http://www.rmit.edu.au/studyandlearningcentre to find more information about Study and learning Support 

Equitable Learning Services (ELS):

If you are suffering from long-term medical condition or disability, you should contact Equitable Learning Services (ELS) to seek advice and support to complete your studies.
Please refer to https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/equitable-learning-services to find more information about services offered by Equitable Learning Services (ELS).

Late submission: 

If you require an Extension of Submittable Work (assignments, reports or project work etc.) for 7 calendar days or less (from the original due date) and have valid reasons, you must complete and lodge an Application for Extension of Submittable Work (7 Calendar Days or less) form and lodge it with the Senior Educator/ Program Manager. 
The application must be lodged no later than one working day before the official due date. You will be notified within no more than 2 working days of the date of lodgment as to whether the extension has been granted. 
If you seek an Extension of Submittable Work for more than 7 calendar days (from the original due date) must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form under the provisions of the Special Consideration Policy, preferably prior to, but no later than 2 working days after the official due date. 

Submittable Work (assignments, reports or project work etc.) submitted late without approval of an extension will not be accepted or marked. 


Special consideration: 

Please Refer http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration to find more information about special consideration 

Plagiarism: 

Plagiarism is a form of cheating and it is very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. 

Please Refer: www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity to find more information about plagiarism. 

Other Information: 

All email communications will be sent to your RMIT email address and you must regularly check your RMIT emails.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview