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Unit of study_

CIVL3811: Engineering Design and Construction

2025 unit information

The twin foci of this unit are: to enable students to participate as design engineers by developing an understanding of the design principles and techniques involved in the planning of a range of construction activities; and to assist students in preparing themselves for the role of a site engineer in a construction project wherein they will become familiar with the planning and execution of those activities, albeit with supervision and guidance from experienced professionals. Construction topics include hard rock tunnelling and general rock excavation; soft ground tunnelling; underground construction; micro tunnelling; cut and cover tunnelling; earth retaining systems; piling; formwork and falsework; dewatering; pavement design and construction - rigid and flexible; stormwater drainage design and construction; marine construction; civil construction in environmentally sensitive areas; contract administration for construction engineers; general engineering in remote localities (project based); construction methods in bridge engineering; QA documentation on a typical project; insurance in the construction industry, OHandS issues in the construction industry; timber engineering; post-tensioned/prestressed concrete construction.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Engineering

Study level Undergraduate
Academic unit Civil Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
CIVL1810 or CIVL2810
Corequisites:
? 
None
Prohibitions:
? 
CIVL4811
Assumed knowledge:
? 
None

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Demonstrate knowledge of the construction techniques and processes of building composite structures, including material selection, design considerations, fabrication methods, and installation procedures.
  • LO2. Understand the principles and benefits of post-tensioning in concrete floor systems, including improved structural performance, reduced cracking, increased load-carrying capacity, and enhanced durability.
  • LO3. Understand the importance and significance of detailing in reinforced concrete members, including ensuring structural integrity, durability, and meeting design requirements.
  • LO4. Understand the fundamental principles and concepts of foundations and retaining walls in civil engineering, including their roles, functions, and importance in providing stability and support to structures and soil slopes.
  • LO5. Understand the principles and concepts of tunnel engineering, specifically focusing on the role of rock mechanics in the design, construction, and maintenance of tunnels.
  • LO6. Understand the fundamental principles and concepts of bridge engineering, including the roles, functions, and importance of bridges in transportation infrastructure.
  • LO7. Identify and analyze the different types of bridges, such as beam bridges, arch bridges, suspension bridges, and cable-stayed bridges, and understand their structural behavior, advantages, and limitations.
  • LO8. Understand the principles and concepts of wind loading on high-rise buildings, including the effects of wind forces on structural behavior, design considerations, and the importance of wind engineering in tall building design.
  • LO9. Understand the principles and concepts of green construction and sustainable design, specifically focusing on the use of bamboo as a renewable and environmentally friendly material for light structures.
  • LO10. Understand the codes, regulations, and standards governing building technology, including building codes, energy codes, accessibility requirements, and environmental regulations. Collaborate effectively with architects, engineers, and construction professionals to integrate building technology considerations into the overall design and construction process, ensuring coordination and optimization of building systems.
  • LO11. Understand the fundamental principles and concepts of earthquake loading in structures, including the causes and characteristics of earthquakes, and the effects of seismic forces on buildings and infrastructure.
  • LO12. Evaluate the performance of building materials and systems under fire conditions, including the behavior of structural elements, fire spread through combustible materials, and the effectiveness of fire protection measures.
  • LO13. Identify and analyze the different types of dams, such as gravity dams, arch dams, embankment dams, and rockfill dams, and understand their design considerations, structural behavior, and construction techniques.
  • LO14. Apply engineering principles and analysis techniques to perform structural analysis using FEA, including static analysis, dynamic analysis, stress analysis, and modal analysis.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2020
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Remote
Semester 2 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

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