CIVL5453: Semester 2, 2021

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Units CIVL5453 Semester 2 2021 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

CIVL5453: Geotechnical Hazards

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Geotechnical hazards include landslides, rock falls and mud flows. They are triggered by soil/rock failure due to natural or human causes. The objective of this Unit of Study is to develop the ability to assess and mitigate the risks associated to such events. Students will learn how to estimate when and where these events are likely to occur, how to define safety zones and how to design effective protection structures. The syllabus is comprised of (i) Landslide Risk Assessment and Management procedures (ii) post-failure and out of equilibrium soil mechanics applied to prediction of rock fall, landslide and mud flow run-out distance and impact force on structures; (iii) design of geotechnical protection structures using Finite Element modelling. Senior geotechnical engineers from major companies will deliver some guest lectures presenting on practical case study involving geotechnical hazards throughout the semester.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	CIVL5453
Academic unit	Civil Engineering
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	(CIVL2410 AND CIVL3411) OR (CIVL9410 AND CIVL9411). Students are assumed to have a good knowledge of fundamental soil mechanics, which is covered in the courses of soil mechanics (settlement, water flow, soil strength) and foundation engineering (soil models, stability analyses; slope stability; retaining walls; foundation capacity).
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Pierre Rognon, pierre.rognon@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Take-home extended release)	Final presentation Presentation	50%	Formal exam period Due date: 03 Dec 2020 at 00:00 Closing date: 06 Dec 2020	48 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Mid-term presentation Video presentation	20%	Week 07	N/A
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project	30%	Week 10	N/A
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = Type E final exam ?

Assessment summary

Project: Use a Finite Element software (previousely introduced in class) to propose a safe solution to a real geotechnical problem. Produce a 6 minutes movie presenting your solution and rational.
Final Exam: Video presentation

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

3 pt per day

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Geotechnical hazards: Risk assessment and management	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Geotechnical hazards: Risk assessment and management 2	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Stresses in soils and rocks	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Stresses in soils and rocks	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Causes of soil and rock Failure (part 1)	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Causes of soil and rock Failure (part 2)	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Optum Project	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Optum Project	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Rock fall	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Rock fall	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Landslide dynamics	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Landslide dynamics 2	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Australian Geomechanics Society – AGS Geoguides, 2007. http://lrm.australiangeomechanics.org/other-resources/guidelines/geoguides/
Australian Geomechanics Society – Guidelines for Landslide Risk Management, 2007. http://lrm.australiangeomechanics.org/other-resources/guidelines/ags-2007/

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. write geotechnical report with extensive consideration of theoretical and methodological issues
LO2. interpret and discuss uncertainty in theoretical/practical context
LO3. apply theories of rock and soil motion to design protection systems and building foundations
LO4. demonstrate proficiency in Landslide Risk Assessment and Management procedures recommended by the Australian Geomechanics Society
LO5. develop geotechnical solutions to mitigate rock and soil motion
LO6. demonstrate proficiency in computer simulations of out of equilibrium motions
LO7. understand physical models of rock falls, landslides and mud-flows, and their limitation.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This UoS is consistently receiving outstanding student feedback. I have included some additional tutorial questions following the suggestions of some students.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

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