CIVL6455: Semester 2, 2021

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Units CIVL6455 Semester 2 2021 [Normal evening]

Unit of study_

CIVL6455: Engineering Behaviour of Soils

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal evening] - Remote

Overview

This is an advanced soil mechanics course. It is concerned with the mechanical stress, strain, strength behaviour and the application of this knowledge in geotechnical engineering. The course includes an introduction to critical state soil mechanics, which is used to assist with the interpretation of soil data, and to enable prediction of ground behaviour. The course uses the critical state framework to provide a firm basis for an understanding of the stress, strain, strength behaviour of all soils, and to enable a rational approach to the selection of parameters for use in geotechnical design.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	CIVL6455
Academic unit	Civil Engineering
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	CIVL5455
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	[CIVL2410 OR CIVL9410] AND [CIVL3411 OR CIVL9411]. A knowledge of basic concepts and terminology of soil mechanics is assumed. Experience with geotechnical practice in estimating parameters from field and laboratory data would be useful but not essential.
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Yixiang Gan, yixiang.gan@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Assignment 1 Design project.	20%	Week 04	10 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quiz 1 In-class assessment.	10%	Week 07	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 2 Literature review and presentation.	30%	Week 09	10 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Quiz 2 In-class assessment.	10%	Week 13	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 3 FEA project: Computational soil mechanics assignment.	30%	Week 13	20 hours
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment with individually assessed component ?

Assessment summary

The assessment contains project-based assignments, report writing and group presentation.

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:

5% 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	1. Principle of effective stress; 2. Friction	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Selection of stress and strain parameters	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Introduction to laboratory testing of soils	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Soil compression	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	1. Importance of dilation; 2. Critical state soil mechanics; 3. Historical development; 4. Critical states	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	1. Essential elasticity and plasticity; 2. Critical state soil mechanics; 3. Cam clay models	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	1. Critical state soil mechanics; 2. Using the model	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Soil strength: undrained	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Soil strength: drained	Block teaching (3 hr)
Week 10	Index tests	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Soil stiffness	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	1. Problematic soils; 2. Effects of structure and cementation; 3. Loess; 4. Soils with porous/friable particles	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	1. Advanced soil models; 2. Cyclic loading	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.

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. identify the contributing factors influencing soil behaviour and explain their interactions, using the framework of critical state soil mechanics
LO2. explain models used in predicting soil behaviour, including their practical requirements and potential limitations
LO3. operate the cam clay model using real laboratory data to produce reliable, meaningful results
LO4. critically evaluate the quality of soil lab data sets and ensure readiness for use in soil behaviour modelling
LO5. produce soundly-based interpretations of soil modelling results, giving due consideration to assumptions and limitations of the data used and those of the model used
LO6. engage with alternative possible interpretations of the same results, critically examine the merits of each and draw appropriate conclusions
LO7. determine the soil design parameters for given geotechnical engineering situations based on a rational consideration of soil factors.

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.

Additional tutorial sessions on FEA analyses were offered.

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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

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