Course Title: Test and evaluate soils
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2010
Course Code: CIVE5683
Course Title: Test and evaluate soils
School: 130T Vocational Engineering
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6093 - Advanced Diploma of Engineering Design
Course Contact: Program Manager
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4468
Course Contact Email: engineering-tafe@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Program Coordinator: Mr Tony Skinner
Tel. 9925 4444 Fax. 99254377
Email: tony.skinner@rmit.edu.au
Teacher: Mr Ahmet Ertuncay
Tel. 9925 8375 Fax. 99254377
Email: ahmet.ertuncay@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 40
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
CIVE5658 (EDX130B) Use technical mathematics (basic).
CIVE5654 (EDX010B) Communicate and apply standard industry precedures and policies in an engineering design office.
Course Description
This unit of competency deals with the skills and knowledge required to correctly classify soils and carry out standard tests in order to evaluate soils.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
EAC120B Test and evaluate soils |
Element: |
1. Classify soils using standard classification systems, tests and various soil parameters. |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 The processes from which soils are formed and transformed are examined and soil classification systems established. |
Learning Outcomes
.
Details of Learning Activities
Teacher-led :
- The origin and the process of soil formations are explained.
- Parameters related with soil are explained.
- Atterberg limits test is explained and demonstrated.
- Sieve analysis test is performed and explained.
- Soil particle density test is demonstrated.
- Compaction test is explained and demonstrated.
- Parameters associated with the compaction test are explained.
- The principles of CBR test are examined.
- The operation of the triaxial and the direct shear tests are examined.
- Parameters related with triaxial and direct shear tests are explained.
- The main groupings of soils are explained.
- Soil stability, soil stabilisation and related parameters are examined.
- Site exploration methods, sampling and testing techniques and equipment are described.
- Relations between soil and structures are described.
Student-based problem-solving :
- Participate in individual problem solving activities completed to industry standard related to typical engineering workplace problems requiring:
- Calculate all parameters related to soil.
- Calculate and complete test work sheets for sieve analysis, soil particle density, Atterberg limits, compaction and CBR.
- Determine cohesion and the angle of internal friction by using Mohr’s circle.
Lab work
- Observe soil particle density test.
- Perform sieve analysis test.
- Perform Atterberg Limits test.
- Perform compaction test (standard/modified).
- Observe CBR test.
- Observe triaxial and direct shear tests.
Teaching Schedule
Week Number | Topic Content Delivery Including Learning activities |
Element/ Learning Outcome |
Assessment task |
1 | Classification of Soils | 1.0 - 1.1 – 1.2 | |
2 | Classification of Soils | 1.3 – 1.4 | |
3 | Classification of Soils | 1.5 | Soil Particle Density Prac. (Due week 4) |
4 | Classification of Soils | 1.6 | |
5 | Classification of Soils | Atterberg Limits Lab. (Due week 6) | |
6 | Classification of Soils | Sieve Analysis Lab. (Due week 7) | |
7 | Classification of Soils | 1.7 | |
8 | Compaction Test | 2.0 – 2.1 | |
9 | Compaction Test | 2.2 – 2.3 | |
10 | Compaction Test | Compaction Test Lab. (Due week 11) | |
11 | Compaction Test | 2.4 – 2.5 | C B R Prac. (Due week 12) |
12 | Determination of soil properties from the results of Triaxial and Direct Shear Tests | 3.0 – 3.1 | |
13 | Determination of soil properties from the results of Triaxial and Direct Shear Tests | 3.2 | Triaxial and Direct Shear Prac. (Due week 14) |
14 | The behaviour of engineering soils | 4.0 – 4.1 – 4.2 – 4.3 | |
15 | The behaviour of engineering soils | 4.4 – 4.5 – 4.6 – 4.7 | |
16 | Revision | ||
17 | Course feedback Final Assessment |
Written Test (Due week 17) | |
18 | Course feedback Final Assessment |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
From online notes posted on blackboard. |
References
- Manual of Soil Laboratory Testing Volume 1, K. H. Head, Pentech Press, |
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessment are conducted in both theoretical and practical aspects of the course according to the performance criteria set out in the National Training Package. Students are required to undertake summative assessments that bring together knowledge and skills.
To successfully complete this course you will be required to demonstrate competency in each assessment tasks detailed under the Assessment Task Section.
Your assessment for this course will be marked using the following table
NYC (<50%)
Not Yet Competent
CAG (50-59%)
Competent - Pass
CC (60-69%)
Competent - Credit
CDI (70-79%)
Competent - Distinction
CHD (80-100%)
Competent - High Distinction
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Tasks
There are six assessments for learning elements and a final written test in the last session covering two hours. The seven assessments all contribute to the final result for this course. There are no extensions to assessment tasks.
Assessment 1 – Soil Particle Density Test (Practical Test)
This practical assessment (in the class) will focus on your practical ability to solve problems, complete work-sheet and report results of the soil test. This practical exercise will have a weighting of 2% of the final overall assessment mark.
Assessment 2 – Atterberg Limits Test (Laboratory Test)
This practical assessment (in the laboratory) will focus on your practical ability to conduct the test, solve problems, complete work-sheet and report results of the soil test. This laboratory exercise will have a weighting of 10% of the final overall assessment mark.
Assessment 3 – Sieve Analysis Test (Laboratory Test)
This practical assessment (in the laboratory) will focus on your practical ability to conduct the test, solve problems, complete work-sheet and report results of the soil test. This laboratory exercise will have a weighting of 10% of the final overall assessment mark.
Assessment 4 – Compaction Test (Laboratory Test)
This practical assessment (in the laboratory) will focus on your practical ability to conduct the test, solve problems, complete work-sheet and report results of the soil test. This laboratory exercise will have a weighting of 10% of the final overall assessment mark.
Assessment 5 – CBR Test (Practical Test)
This practical assessment (in the class) will focus on your practical ability to solve problems, complete work-sheet and report results of the soil test. This practical exercise will have a weighting of 2% of the final overall assessment mark.
Assessment 6 – Triaxial / Direct Shear Test (Practical Test)
This practical assessment (in the class) will focus on your practical ability to solve problems, complete work-sheet and report results of the soil test. Provide written assignment regarding Triaxial and Direct Shear tests. This practical exercise will have a weighting of 10% of the final overall assessment mark.
Assessment 7 - Written Test
A two hour exam will be held to assess the learning outcomes listed under the elements / performance criteria. The final assessment is a closed book written test. This assessment will have a weighting of 56% of the final overall assessment mark
Assessment Matrix
Competency / Module |
|
Assessment2 10 % |
Assessment3 10 % |
Assessment4 10 % |
Assessment5 2 % |
Assessment6 10 % |
WrittenTest 56 % |
Classification of Soils | x | x | x | x | |||
Compaction Test | x | x | x | ||||
Determination of soil properties from the results of Triaxial and Direct Shear Tests | x | x | |||||
The behaviour of engineering soils | x |
Overall score 100 %.
Other Information
You need to obtain minimum PASS from all assessment tasks, failing one or more assessment task will result in failing the course.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview