Outline

Overview

Objectives: to develop an understanding of the behaviour and design of engineering structures in rock masses. Outcomes: Students will have learnt how to classify and characterise rocks and rock masses for engineering purposes and developed an understanding of basic rock mechanics, etc. Syllabus summary: Introduction to rock mechanics and rock engineering. Index properties and engineering characterisation of rocks and rock masses. Planes of weakness in rock masses. Rock material strength and rock mass strength. Rock deformability. In situ stress conditions in rock masses. Underground openings. Rock slopes.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Civil Engineering
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	CIVL5454
Assumed knowledge ?	Undergraduate geology and soil mechanics
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Mohammad Saadatfar, mohammad.saadatfar@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Attendance - accreditation or faculty requirement	Tutorial attendance 0.5% for attending each tutorial session.	5%	Week 02	2 hrs	Not applicable
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	Quiz #1 In-class assessment	15%	Week 06 Due date: 30 Mar 2026 at 16:00	60 min	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Data analysis	Assignment #1 Laboratory and Cockatoo Island Visit Report, Rock Mass Rating.	20%	Week 07 Due date: 17 Apr 2026 at 23:59	10 pages (15 hrs)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	Quiz #2 In-class assessment	15%	Week 11 Due date: 11 May 2026 at 16:00	60 min	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Assignment #2 Workplace Safety Case Studies in Rock Engineering	20%	Week 12 Due date: 22 May 2026 at 23:59	10 hrs	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	10-minute presentation 10-minute presentation per student during class based on their work in assignment #2	5%	Week 12 Due date: 18 May 2026 at 16:00	10 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Oral exam	Final exam Final exam in the form of F2F oral exam.	20%	Week 13 Due date: 25 May 2026 at 11:00	20 minutes (oral)	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Online quizzes: 30%

Submitted assignments: 70%

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 guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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:

There will be a deduction of 5 points from the maximum mark for each calendar day after the expiration of the simple extension. After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be given.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to rock engineering in Civil & Mining. Rock identification & rock mass rating.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Rock core logging. Rock mass rating schemes. Geological strength indices. Rock Hazard.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Rock identification & Rock Mass Rating.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Introduction to stereographic projections	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	RMR, geological strength indices, hock hazard.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Rock mechanics I. Laboratory on RMR and core logging.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Stereographic projections, rock mehchanics	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Visit to Cockatoo Island	Fieldwork (4 hr)
Week 06	Industry Guest Lecturer #1: Engineering Geology & Rock Mechanics for Tunnelling	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Laboratory on RMR Core Logging	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Rock mechanics II. Failure criteria and stability.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Rock failure	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Stress States in rock engineering applications .	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Stress states in geomaterials and rocks	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Industry guest lecturer #2: open pit mining and slope stability	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Slope stability	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Digital Rock I: introduction to rock digitisation and digital rock analysis	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Digital rock	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Digital Rock II: digital volume correlation, digital core analysis and geological storage	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Digital rock	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Industry guest lecturer #3: Modelling in Rock Engineering & Block Cave Mining. Presentations.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Presentations	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 13	Unit review. Presentations. Final exam.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Oral exam	Assessment (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Assessment: In order to pass this unit of study students must successfully complete all assessment items, achieve an overall aggregated mark of more than 50%. Students who fail the final exam will be awarded a maximum mark of 45 and a fail grade F.
Study commitment: Students are expected to spend about 10 hours per week working on assignments, finding information from the Internet and the library, and working with computer programs.

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.

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.

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

LO1. Apply a team approach to scientific and engineering investigation and the process of learning
LO2. Practice a sense of responsibility and independence as a learner that will guide ongoing professional development and civil engineering practice
LO3. Find and analyse information using skills in computer-aided design, numeracy and data handling
LO4. Demonstrate enhanced skills in written, oral and interpersonal communication
LO5. Perform analyses on raw data collected for a rock mass and apply this data to the solution of problems such as the design of slopes, tunnels, and foundations on rock
LO6. Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and language of geology and rock engineering, as well as identify and name common rock types and common geological defects
LO7. Develop a representative geological model of the important characteristics presented by a variety of geological environments and rock types, as well as interpret geological maps, geological cross-sections and rock-core logs, in the context of the built environment, construction and engineered structures.
LO8. Analyse and interpret the mechanical behaviour of rocks under various stress and strain conditions, applying principles of rock mechanics for engineering solutions

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer (UG) - 2.1 (L3). Complex problem-solving. (Level 3- Exceeding required standard) Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving 3.6 (L3). Team skills. (Level 3- Exceeding required standard) Effective team membership and team leadership.
	Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer (UG) - 1.6 (L3). Discipline professional practice knowledge. (Level 3- Exceeding required standard) Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of contemporary engineering practice in the specific discipline. 3.4 (L3). Information skills. (Level 3- Exceeding required standard) Professional use and management of information. 3.5 (L3). Personal conduct. (Level 3- Exceeding required standard) Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
	Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer (UG) - 1.2 (L2). Mathematical and computational methods. (Level 2- Attaining required standard (Bachelor Honours standard)) Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline. 2.2 (L3). Use of engineering techniques, tools and resources. (Level 3- Exceeding required standard) Techniques, tools and resources. 3.4 (L3). Information skills. (Level 3- Exceeding required standard) Professional use and management of information.
	National Standard of Competency for Architects - 6.4. Timely completion and communication of accurate and comprehensible documents that will include, as required, drawings, models, specifications, schedules and other relevant modes of information. Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - 3.5. Use effective classroom communication
	Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer (UG) - 1.3 (L3). Specialist discipline knowledge. (Level 3- Exceeding required standard) In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. 2.1 (L3). Complex problem-solving. (Level 3- Exceeding required standard) Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving 2.2 (L3). Use of engineering techniques, tools and resources. (Level 3- Exceeding required standard) Techniques, tools and resources. 2.3 (L3). Engineering design. (Level 3- Exceeding required standard) Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
	AMC Domains 2024 - 1.13. Apply scientific knowledge and clinical skills to care for patients across their lifespan, including as children, adolescents and ageing people, and patients in pregnancy and childbirth. Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer (UG) - 1.3 (L3). Specialist discipline knowledge. (Level 3- Exceeding required standard) In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
	Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer (UG) - 1.3 (L3). Specialist discipline knowledge. (Level 3- Exceeding required standard) In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. 1.5 (L3). Discipline context knowledge. (Level 3- Exceeding required standard) Knowledge of contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline 2.1 (L3). Complex problem-solving. (Level 3- Exceeding required standard) Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving 2.2 (L3). Use of engineering techniques, tools and resources. (Level 3- Exceeding required standard) Techniques, tools and resources.
	AMC Domains 2024 - 1.13. Apply scientific knowledge and clinical skills to care for patients across their lifespan, including as children, adolescents and ageing people, and patients in pregnancy and childbirth. Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer (UG) - 1.3 (L3). Specialist discipline knowledge. (Level 3- Exceeding required standard) In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. 2.1 (L3). Complex problem-solving. (Level 3- Exceeding required standard) Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving

National Standard of Competency for Architects -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1.1		Preparation & endorsement of an agreement between client and Architect. This agreement will clearly communicate terms, services to be provided, and fees appropriate for the scale and type of project.
1.3		Assessment of project budget and timeframe against project requirements and objectives.
2.1		Identification, analysis and integration of information relevant to siting of project.

Responding to student feedback

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

Unit outlines has changes since last year. Updated assigments and their weights.

Additional information

Additional costs

Fairy ticket to/from Cockatoo Island

Site visit guidelines

Cockatoo Island Site Visit Guidelines This is a formal field inspection. Safety and responsible behaviour come first. Safety and conduct: -Follow all instructions from teaching staff at all times -Stay with the group and only access designated areas -Be alert around rock faces, tunnels, edges, and uneven or wet surfaces -Activities may change or stop if conditions become unsafe due to weather, tides, or site conditions Personal responsibility: -You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of others -Sensible, professional behaviour is expected throughout the visit Heritage and environment: -Cockatoo Island is a protected national heritage site -Do not collect rock samples, fossils, soil, plants, or any materials -Do not damage rock faces or structures -Use photographs for recording observations Respect for others: -The island is open to the public -Be considerate of visitors and other groups

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CIVL6454: Rock Engineering

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links