Course Title: Excavation Engineering 1

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Excavation Engineering 1

Credit Points: 12.00

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
CIVE1191	City Campus	Postgraduate	120H Civil, Environmental & Chemical Engineering	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 2 2006, Sem 1 2007

Course Coordinator: Dr John V. Smith

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99252184

Course Coordinator Email: johnv.smith@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Learning modules will be selected based on prior experience.

Course Description

The course introduces and applies knowledge and skills of civil engineering to problems of mineral resource development and construction engineering. The emphasis is on the design and control of excavations at the surface and underground. A range of methods of designing and forming of excavations and support systems are investigated. A range of examples are introduced through problem-based studies. This experience will be applied to a specific work-based case in the Graduate Diploma level course

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

The following capabilities will be developed to a level of awareness of the issues and ability to apply principles appropriately to a case study scenario.

• Technical capabilities
• Apply excavation stability analysis principles and methods
• Select appropriate excavation methods for various engineering and mining projects
• Explain and apply the design criteria for ground support systems

The capabilities developed in this course are further developed in Excavation Engineering 2 and are closely linked to Geological Engineering Practice 1. The course also outlines many of the engineering practices investigated in Risk Management Engineering and OH&S 1.

1. Test physical and mechanical soil and rock
2. Design mining methods, layouts and sequencing
3. Design underground mine ground control
4. Design backfill selection and integration with mining
5. Investigate open pit mine geomechanics
6. Analyse slope stability
7. Investigate civil engineering geomechanics
8. Design for drilling and blasting
9. Interpret monitoring data for rock mass stability and ground subsidence
10. Operate microseismic monitoring systems
11. Management of mine seismicity and rockbursts
12. Model numerical stresses associated with excavations

Overview of Learning Activities

You will undertake learning tasks using resource kits of learning objects include maps, core logs, reports, publications and links to other data sources related to specific projects. You will be are required to investigate the resources and links provided and complete learning tasks which progress from comprehension through to analysis and evaluation. You will be assigned 12 learning tasks.Regular progress meetings/communications will be held by RMIT staff.

Overview of Learning Resources

Resource kits of learning objects include maps, core logs, reports, publications and links to other data sources.

Overview of Assessment

The preliminary Portfolio of results of agreed learning tasks will be assessed for completeness and accuracy. The quality of the portfolio will be assessed according to professional practice standards emphasizing that the work is well organized, complete and concise. You will present a summary of the portfolio to teaching staff. At this stage most of the tasks involve knowledge, comprehension and application.

The final Portfolio of results of agreed learning tasks will be assessed for completeness and accuracy. You will present a summary of the portfolio to teaching staff. At this stage most of the tasks involve analysis synthesis and evaluation.

In the oral exam you have an opportunity to explain the content of your learning task portfolio. The examiners will seek clarification on aspects of your portfolio. A thorough knowledge of the content and context of your work will be required.