Course Title: Apply principles of soil mechanics to civil engineering
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2021
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
Future Technologies Industry Cluster
College of Vocational Education
RMIT University (City Campus)
Building 57, Level 5, Room 34
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 - Mechanical, Aeronautical and Civil Engineering Programs
Future Technologies Industry Cluster
College of Vocational Education
RMIT University, Melbourne
CRICOS provider code: 00122A
Building 57, Level 5, 115 Queensberry St
Carlton 3053
Tel: +61 3 9925 8311
Fax: + 61 3 9926 4666
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 |
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Element: |
1. Identify soils to be tested and analysed |
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Performance Criteria: |
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Element: |
2. Plan tests and analyse a range of soils |
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Performance Criteria: |
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Element: |
3. Conduct test and analyse results |
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Performance Criteria: |
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Element: |
4. Document and report results |
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Performance Criteria: |
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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
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
The proposed teaching schedule for this competency is detailed below:
Week | Topics Delivered |
1 | Introduction to the subject and Occupational Health and Safety/Workplace Health and Safety (OHS/WHS) requirements and 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. |
2 | Origin and the process of soil formations (Continued), Soil parameters and classification of soil (Sieve Analysis Test) |
3 | Properties of soil (Permeability test) (Lab Activity: Sieve Analysis - Group 1) |
4 | Properties of soil [California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test] (Lab Activity: Sieve Analysis - Group 2) |
5 | Mass volume relationships of soil/Soil phase relationships and Soil parameters and classification of soil (Soil particle density test) |
6 | Soil parameters and classification of soil (Atterberg Limits Test) (Lab Activity: Atterberg Limits Test: Group 1) |
7 | Properties of soil (Shear strength test - Direct Shear Test) (Lab Activity: Atterberg Limits Test: Group 2) |
8 | Properties of soil (Shear strength test - Direct Shear Test - Continued) |
9 | Theory of soil compaction (Standard and/or Modified) |
10 | Properties of soil (Shear strength test - Triaxial Shear Test) (Lab Activity: Compaction Test: Group 1) |
11 | Properties of soil (Shear strength test - Triaxial Shear Test - Continued) (Lab Activity: Compaction Test: Group 2) |
12 | Properties of soil (Shear strength test - Triaxial Shear Test - Continued) |
13 | Consolidation of fine grained soils |
14 | Consolidation of fine grained soils - Continued |
15 | Consolidation of fine grained soils - Continued |
16 | Soil stabilisation and related parameters |
17 - 18 | Assessments Feedback. Special Consideration, etc. |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Soil Mechanics Fundamentals by M Budhu (Metric Version)
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: 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 |
X |
4.2 |
|
X |
X |
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1: Knowledge Task
Assessment Task 2: Analyse Soil Test Results
Assessment Task 3: Plan, Implement and Analyse Soil Test Results
To be deemed competent (CA) in this course, student will need to gain satisfactory (S) results in all three assessments.
This course is assessed as Competent or Not Yet Competent and subsequently the following course grades are allocated:
SEC - Stopped Engagement in Course
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 |
Assessment 1: Knowledge Task | X | x | X | X | x | X | X | X | X | X | |||||||
Assessment 2: Analyse Soil Test Results | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||
Assessment 3: Plan, Implement and Analyse Soil Test Results | X | x | X | X | X | x | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit. Required skills:- consulting and communicating with other project team personnel
- identifying and following relevant OHS/WHS procedures
- planning soil testing activities
- taking representative soil samples
- setting up and calibrating testing equipment
- operate test equipment and performing tests
- analysing test results and classifying soils in accordance relevant Australian standard
- preparing and reporting test results
- origin and the process of soil formations
- soil parameters and classification of soil
- soil particle density test
- Atterberg limits test
- sieve analysis test
- mass volume relationship of soil
- properties of soil
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- compaction test
- shear strength test
- permeability test
- California bearing ratio (CBR) test
- consolidation of fine grained soils
- soil stabilisation and related parameters
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 |
Knowledge Task | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | |||||||
Analyse Soil Test Results | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Plan, Implement and Analyse Soil Test Results | x | x | x | 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