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 geomaterials from CIVL1022. An understanding of statics, equilibrium, forces and bending moments, and of stress and strain and the relationship between them from CIVL1802 or ENGG1802. Familiarity with the use of numerical tools (Excel, Python) to obtain solutions to engineering problems, and with the graphical presentation of this data. 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 31 August 2026

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 09	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: Report that investigates a soil mechanics problem
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. Students must achieve 45% in the final exam to pass the unit of study.

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	What is Soil?	Lecture (2 hr)
	What is Soil?	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Coarse Soil Classification	Practical (2 hr)
Week 02	Classification	Lecture (2 hr)
	Classification	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Fine Soil Classification	Practical (2 hr)
Week 03	Permeability	Lecture (2 hr)
	Permeability	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Permeability	Practical (2 hr)
Week 04	Flow Nets	Lecture (2 hr)
	Flow Nets	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Flow Nets	Practical (2 hr)
Week 05	Conductivity	Lecture (2 hr)
	Conductivity	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Conductivity	Practical (2 hr)
Week 06	Effective Stress	Lecture (2 hr)
	Effective Stress	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Effective Stress	Practical (2 hr)
Week 07	1D Settlement	Lecture (2 hr)
	1D Settlement	Tutorial (2 hr)
	1D Settlement	Practical (2 hr)
Week 08	2D/3D Settlement	Lecture (2 hr)
	2D/3D Settlement	Tutorial (2 hr)
	2D/3D Settlement	Practical (2 hr)
Week 09	Compaction	Lecture (2 hr)
	Compaction	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Compaction	Practical (2 hr)
Week 10	Consolidation	Lecture (2 hr)
	Consolidation	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Consolidation	Practical (2 hr)
Week 11	Strength	Lecture (2 hr)
	Strength	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Strength	Practical (2 hr)
Week 12	Stress-strain behaviour	Lecture (2 hr)
	Stress-strain behaviour	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Stress-strain behaviour	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. Classify soils using accepted engineering systems and predict their likely performance as engineering materials.
LO2. Calculate groundwater flow quantities and evaluate the effects of fluid flow on soil behaviour.
LO3. Apply the principle of effective stress to calculate the stresses causing soil deformation.
LO4. Calculate immediate and consolidation settlements, including rates of settlement, and evaluate the assumptions, limitations, and appropriate use of different settlement calculation methods.
LO5. Analyse experimental data from soil mechanics laboratory tests and interpret the results in relation to soil behaviour.
LO6. Prepare professional-standard reports that evaluate methods, results, uncertainty, and engineering implications.
LO7. Develop and apply numerical tools to solve geotechnical design problems and interpret their outputs.

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.

Thank you all for an enjoyable semester. We made some significant changes to the unit of study for this year, and it seems like they largely went well. Some common feedback from you was around: 1. The need to rethink how we structure the tutorial classes. Several students commented about there being not enough tutors, and that the large room did not promote interactivity in the way we hoped for. Several students also requested for tutors to go through solutions for you on the whiteboard. I personally would prefer to create situations where you and your peers can be guided to solve questions yourselves, rather than for us to demonstrate how to use a recipe. We will strive to strike a better balance next year. 2. Not enough worked examples. In 2026 we will add weekly worked examples that will be available before and during the tutorials, to help you get started. These will be integrated into course notes that map to each week's content 3. Lab too crowded. We had two over-subscribed practical sessions, and these rooms were busy, noisy, and difficult to work in. In 2026 we will reduce the maximum class size for the labs to improve this. The positive feedback focussed primarily on the excellent tutors, the practical relevance of the lab sessions, and the lecture environment. I would like to give a massive thank you to the tutoring team in 2025 who were fantastic. I really thank you for any feedback you provided for this or other units of study. We take your feedback really seriously, and really do try to fix things where we can. I hope I see you around the campus. Please stop by my office any time for a cup of tea and a chat.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

A safety quiz must be completed before the first laboratory session.

Appropriate footwear must be worn to enter the laboratory.

Mobile phones, tablets and laptops are not to be used during laboratory sessions unless explicitly required.

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

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, 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

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links