Outline

Overview

This course provides an elementary introduction to Geotechnical Engineering, and provides the basic mechanics necessary for the detailed study of Geotechnical Engineering. This course aims to provide an understanding of: the nature of soils as engineering materials; common soil classification schemes; the importance of water in the soil and the effects of water movement; methods of predicting soil settlements, the stress-strain-strength response of soils, and earth pressures.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Civil Engineering
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	An understanding of simple statics, equilibrium, forces and bending moments, and of stress and strain and the relationship between them (CIVL9802 and CIVL9201). Familiarity with the use of spreadsheets (Excel, Mathcad) to obtain solutions to engineering problems, and with the graphical presentation of this data, and familiarity with word processing packages for report presentation. Familiarity with partial differential equations, and their analytical and numerical solution
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Benjy Marks, benjy.marks@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final exam Regular exam	40%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Lab safety quiz Lab safety quiz	0%	Week 01	5 minutes, in class	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Experimental design	Computing assignment Mixed report and coding that investigates a soil mechanics problem	20%	Week 06	Jupyter notebook	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	Mid semester quiz Quiz during class on topics covered in first half of semester	20%	Week 08	1.5 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Practical exam Students will be given one or more soil specimens and asked to perform an analysis of the properties of the soil.	20%	Week 13	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Assessment summary

Mid-semester Quiz: Quiz during class on topics covered in first half of semester
Computing Assignment: This assignment is designed to reinforce theoretical concepts and develop the students' skills in the use of coding.
Practical Exam: An in-laboratory assessment of skills developed in the practical component of the course, tied to the theory.
Final Exam: The examination at the end of the semester will measure students’ understanding of the concepts covered during the whole semester.

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	Work of exceptional quality.
Distinction	75 - 84	Work that goes well beyond the concepts covered in class and demonstrates mastery of the learning outcomes.
Credit	65 - 74	Demonstrating a deep understanding of the learning outcomes.
Pass	50 - 64	Demonstrating a working understanding of the learning outcomes.
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.

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.

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 and Classification	Lecture (2 hr)
	Classification tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Classification	Practical (2 hr)
Week 02	Definitions and Compaction	Lecture (2 hr)
	Soil definitions	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Definitions	Practical (2 hr)
Week 03	Compaction and Effective Stress	Lecture (2 hr)
	Effective stress and Compaction	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Effective Stress and Compaction	Practical (2 hr)
Week 04	Water Flow through Soil	Lecture (2 hr)
	Drawing Flow Nets	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Drawing Flow Nets	Practical (2 hr)
Week 05	Flow Nets, Calculations and Piping	Lecture (2 hr)
	Flow Net Calculations	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Flow Net calculations	Practical (2 hr)
Week 06	One dimensional soil compression	Lecture (2 hr)
	One dimensional compression	Tutorial (2 hr)
	One dimensional compression	Practical (2 hr)
Week 07	One-dimensional Settlement	Lecture (2 hr)
	One-dimensional settlement	Tutorial (2 hr)
	One-dimensional settlement	Practical (2 hr)
Week 08	One-dimensional Consolidation	Lecture (2 hr)
	One-dimensional consolidation	Tutorial (2 hr)
	One-dimensional consolidation	Practical (2 hr)
Week 09	Elastic Soil Mechanics	Lecture (2 hr)
	Elastic Soil Mechanics	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Elastic Soil Mechanics	Practical (2 hr)
Week 10	Settlements of Elastic Soil	Lecture (2 hr)
	Settlements for Elastic Soil	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Settlements for Elastic Soil	Practical (2 hr)
Week 11	Soil Strength and Introduction to Critical State Soil Mechanics	Lecture (2 hr)
	Soil Strength and Critical State Soil Mechanics	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Soil Strength and Critical State Soil Mechanics	Practical (2 hr)
Week 12	Soil Stability - Retaining Walls - Rankine	Lecture (2 hr)
	Soil Stability - Retaining Walls	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Soil Stability - Retaining Walls	Practical (2 hr)
Week 13	Revision	Lecture (2 hr)
	Revision	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Practical exam	Practical (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance in lectures, tutorials and practicals is compulsory and attendance will be recorded. Students must attend at least 80% of timetabled classes to pass the unit of study.

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. demonstrate proficiency in handling experimental data, including strength parameters.
LO2. analyse and report the results of a laboratory experiment at a professional standard
LO3. develop and use a spreadsheet to analyse a geotechnical design problem
LO4. give an engineering classification of any piece of soil, and on this basis, predict how it will perform as an engineering material
LO5. calculate the settlements, and rates of settlement, under structures of various shapes and sizes
LO6. explain the advantages and limitations of the different methods of settlement calculation
LO7. understand the principle of effective stress, and be able to apply this to calculate the stresses causing soil deformation
LO8. calculate quantities of water flowing through the ground, and understand the effects that water flow has on the soil

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.

The unit of study has been revamped for 2025. This will involve a significantly expanded laboratory program, an increase in tutorial time, and a reduction in lecture time.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

For students doing in person laboratory work there is a safety quiz that must be completed before the first laboratory session.

Appropriate footwear must be worn to enter the laboratory.

Mobile phones are not to be used during laboratory sessions.

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

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

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CIVL9410: Soil Mechanics 1

Semester 2, 2025 [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

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links