Course Title: Apply principles of soil mechanics to civil engineering

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2020

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

 

Dr. Amita Iyer Program Manager School of Vocational Engineering, Health and Science (SVEHS)
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
• Practical Laboratory Activities 
• Review questions
• Practical lab reports, analyse soil test results, etc.

 

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

EA 1.1. 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 VU22562 in the Assessment Matrix.

  

 


Teaching Schedule

Semester 2 2020WeekDateTopicAssessment / Learning activities
Week 1   Introduction to the subject and Occupational Health and Safety/Workplace Health and Safety (OHS/WHS) requirements and environmental requirements in the laboratory and in the field, and methods of reporting control measurements to appropriate personnel, Origin and the process of soil formations. AT1
Week 2   Origin and the process of soil formations (Continued), Soil parameters and classification of soil (Sieve Analysis Test) AT1, AT2, AT3
Week 3   Properties of soil (Permeability test) (Lab Activity: Sieve Analysis - Group 1) AT1, AT2, AT3
Week 4  

Properties of soil [California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test] (Lab Activity: Sieve Analysis - Group 2)

AT1, AT2, AT3
Week 5

 

Mass volume relationships of soil/Soil phase relationships and Soil parameters and classification of soil (Soil particle density test)

AT2, AT3
Week 6    Soil parameters and classification of soil (Atterberg Limits Test) (Lab Activity: Atterberg Limits Test: Group 1) AT2, AT3
Week 7

 

Properties of soil (Shear strength test - Direct Shear Test) (Lab Activity: Atterberg Limits Test: Group 2) AT2, AT3
Week 8   Properties of soil (Shear strength test - Direct Shear Test - Continued) AT2, AT3
Week 9

 

Theory of soil compaction (Standard and/or Modified)  AT2, AT3
Week 10   Properties of soil (Shear strength test - Triaxial Shear Test) (Lab Activity: Compaction Test: Group 1) AT2, AT3
Week 11   Properties of soil (Shear strength test - Triaxial Shear Test - Continued) (Lab Activity: Compaction Test: Group 2) AT2, AT3
Week 12  

 Properties of soil (Shear strength test - Triaxial Shear Test - Continued)

AT2, AT3
Week 13   Consolidation of fine-grained soils   AT2, AT3
Week 14   Consolidation of fine-grained soils - Continued   AT2, AT3
Week 15   Consolidation of fine-grained soils - Continued   AT2, AT3
Week 16   Soil stabilisation and related parameters AT2, AT3


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


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: Knowledge Task

Assessment 2: Analyse Soil Test Results 

Assessment 3: Plan, Implement and Analyse Soil Test Results 

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

Assessment Mapping Matrix

Element/Performance Criteria Covered

 AT1

AT2

AT3

1.1

 X

 X

 X

1.2

 X

 X

 X

1.3

 

 X

 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

3.4

 

 X

 x

3.5

 X

 X

 X

 

 

3.7

 

 X

 x

4.1

 

 X

4.2

 

 X

 X


Assessment Tasks

Assessment 1: Knowledge Task

Assessment 2: Analyse Soil Test Results 

Assessment 3: Plan, Implement and Analyse Soil Test Results 

 

This course will be assessed as Competent or Not Yet Competent.

The students must complete all three assessments successfully to be deemed competent.

CA - Competency Achieved

NYC - Not Yet Competent

SEC - Stopped Engagement in Course

DNS - Did Not Submit for Assessment


Assessment Matrix

Assessment Mapping Matrix

Element/Performance Criteria Covered

 AT1

AT2

AT3

1.1

 X

 X

 X

1.2

 X

 X

 X

1.3

 

 X

 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

3.4

 

 X

 x

3.5

 X

 X

 X

 

 

3.7

 

 X

 x

4.1

 

 X

4.2

 

 X

 X

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/student-essentails/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity 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