Unit of study_

CIVL9810: Engineering Construction and Surveying

2027 unit information

This unit introduces students to the realities of on-site civil construction and develops a fundamental understanding of the construction materials, methods, and techniques that underpin civil engineering design. It complements the analytical knowledge gained in units such as Structural Mechanics and Soil Mechanics by showing how engineering concepts are applied during the delivery of infrastructure projects. Students are introduced to the principles of engineering construction, including the design, control, management, measurement and construction methods associated with excavation, embankments, earthworks, hauling and related operations. The unit also provides a conceptual introduction to building construction methods and materials, reinforced concrete, masonry, steel and timber, as well as the principles of drilling and blasting. The unit further introduces the fundamentals of engineering surveying and the critical role it plays in planning and delivering civil engineering projects. Students gain experience with traditional methods of measuring distance, angles and height; develop an understanding of three-dimensional mapping using electronic total stations and digital data capture; and explore the growing applications of GPS and GIS in modern practice. By the end, students will have developed foundational competency in earthworks engineering and an appreciation of the economic considerations that influence construction planning. Through case studies, they will explore the optimisation of construction systems and methods, including estimating project outputs, evaluating unit costs and assessing productivity, alongside the principles of vertical construction in reinforced concrete, steel and timber. Students will also design and implement mapping systems using both traditional and electronic field equipment supported by industry-standard software (AutoCAD and Revit).

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Engineering

Study level Postgraduate
Academic unit Civil Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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None
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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None
Assumed knowledge:
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None

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

  • LO1. design, control, management, measurement and construction methods for excavation, embankments and other earthworks, hauling and associated operations
  • LO2. understand the process of selection of optimal construction methods, materials and equipment by considering technical, financial, and environmental impacts
  • LO3. understand building construction fundamentals, including reinforced concrete, masonry, steel and timber
  • LO4. demonstrate competence in methods of distance, angle and height measurement
  • LO5. demonstrate basic practical competence and general theoretical competence in three dimensional mapping using basic total station electronic field equipment
  • LO6. demonstrate basic knowledge in the application of GPS and GIS systems.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2026
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2027
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2020
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Remote
Semester 2 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

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