Outline

Overview

The objective of this unit is to develop an understanding of the construction methods, strategies, equipment and machinery used across a broad range of civil engineering construction activities, together with the engineering principles that underpin their design and delivery. Students gain insight into the design principles and techniques involved in planning these activities, introducing the role of the design engineer and the integration of design with construction practice. The unit also prepares students for the role of a site engineer by familiarising them with the planning and execution of construction activities under the supervision of experienced professionals. Course content may be adapted to reflect current and planned infrastructure projects in Sydney, New South Wales and across Australia. Current topics include hard rock tunnelling and underground excavation; soft ground tunnelling; underground and cut-and-cover tunnelling; earth retaining systems; piling; formwork and falsework; wind engineering; earthquake engineering and sustainable design; civil construction in environmentally sensitive areas; bridge construction methods; quality assurance documentation for construction projects; occupational health and safety in the construction industry; post-tensioned and prestressed concrete construction; and civil engineering in marine environments. Alongside these construction themes, students develop applied structural analysis capabilities using Strand7, the unit's finite element package, supported by training videos and weekly consultation sessions. Analysis skills span static, dynamic, stress and modal analysis, and are applied to composite structures, post-tensioned floor systems, foundations and retaining walls, tunnels, bridges, high-rise wind loading, and fire and dam engineering. By the end, students will be able to connect design intent with buildable, safe, and sustainable construction solutions, a foundation for professional practice and internship placement in the civil construction industry.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Civil Engineering
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	CIVL9810
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	CIVL8811
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Faham Tahmasebinia, faham.tahmasebinia@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 Students will solve a real problem in practice.	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Early feedback task There will be some fundamental questions in CIVL/Design Engineering	0%	Week 03 Due date: 23 Aug 2026 at 23:59	2 Pages-1 hour	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Numerical Simulation Students will simulate a full composite steel concrete beams floor systems under free vibration.	10%	Week 06 Due date: 13 Sep 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 27 Sep 2026	10 A4 pages - 3 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	In Class Quiz 1 There will be in class quiz during the tutorial session.	10%	Week 07	1 hour	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	In Class Quiz 2 There will be in class quiz during the tutorial session.	10%	Week 12	1 hour	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Design Assignment Students will use advanced Finite element Methods to design sustainable structures.	20%	Week 13 Due date: 08 Nov 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 22 Nov 2026	6 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= early feedback task ?

Assessment summary

The overall assessment will base on submitting three technical assignments and a final exam.

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.

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:

The late submission will be penalized 10% of the overall weight of the assignment per day after the due date.

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	Learning outcomes

Attendance and class requirements

Students must attend either the online or face-to-face tutorial sessions.

Also, they need to try to make some technical contributions during the tutorial sessions. Students who cannot participate in the tutorial class will lose two marks per tutorial session.

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.

Required readings

Students will have access to the lecture slides, pre-recorded lectures, and extra teaching resources to understand the practical aspects of engineering construction better.

Strand 7, as the main Finite Element commercial package, teaching and training videos will be comprehensively provided. Students are encouraged to spend time understanding the offered weekly technical content fully.

Also, several weekly online consulting sessions will be offered to help students to improve their design skills while using Strand 7.

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 knowledge of the construction techniques and processes of building composite structures, including material selection, design considerations, fabrication methods, and installation procedures.
LO2. Understand the principles and benefits of post-tensioning in concrete floor systems, including improved structural performance, reduced cracking, increased load-carrying capacity, and enhanced durability.
LO3. Understand the importance and significance of detailing in reinforced concrete members, including ensuring structural integrity, durability, and meeting design requirements.
LO4. Understand the fundamental principles and concepts of foundations and retaining walls in civil engineering, including their roles, functions, and importance in providing stability and support to structures and soil slopes.
LO5. Understand the principles and concepts of tunnel engineering, specifically focusing on the role of rock mechanics in the design, construction, and maintenance of tunnels.
LO6. Understand the fundamental principles and concepts of bridge engineering, including the roles, functions, and importance of bridges in transportation infrastructure.
LO7. Identify and analyse the different types of bridges, such as beam bridges, arch bridges, suspension bridges, and cable-stayed bridges, and understand their structural behaviour, advantages, and limitations.
LO8. Understand the principles and concepts of wind loading on high-rise buildings, including the effects of wind forces on structural behaviour, design considerations, and the importance of wind engineering in tall building design.
LO9. Understand the principles and concepts of green construction and sustainable design, specifically focusing on the use of bamboo as a renewable and environmentally friendly material for light structures.
LO10. Understand the codes, regulations, and standards governing building technology, including building codes, energy codes, accessibility requirements, and environmental regulations. Collaborate effectively with architects, engineers, and construction professionals to integrate building technology considerations into the overall design and construction process, ensuring coordination and optimization of building systems.
LO11. Understand the fundamental principles and concepts of earthquake loading in structures, including the causes and characteristics of earthquakes, and the effects of seismic forces on buildings and infrastructure.
LO12. Evaluate the performance of building materials and systems under fire conditions, including the behaviour of structural elements, fire spread through combustible materials, and the effectiveness of fire protection measures.
LO13. Identify and analyse the different types of dams, such as gravity dams, arch dams, embankment dams, and rockfill dams, and understand their design considerations, structural behaviour, and construction techniques.
LO14. Apply engineering principles and analysis techniques to perform structural analysis using FEA, including static analysis, dynamic analysis, stress analysis, and modal analysis.

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.

Based on the following suggested plan, the proposed course layout became more practical for students planning to have their internship in the coming summer.

Additional information

Students may want to buy their licenses ( 10 $ per month) if they are unwilling to use the provided licenses at the University of Sydney.

This unit will have 2 hours of lectures and 2-hour tutorial sessions per week. Students will have access to the lecture slides, pre-recorded lectures, and extra teaching resources ( recorded training videos for STRAND 7) to better understand the practical aspects of engineering design and construction.

Additional costs

The Strand7 Student Version is available for students enrolled in an approved university course. As a student, you get access to all Strand7 modules with no limits on model size. The software may only be used for your coursework. Access costs AU$10 per month. Students may want to buy their licenses ( 10 $ per month) if they are unwilling to use the provided licenses at the University of Sydney.

Site visit guidelines

Students are required to fully comply with the safety rules implemented by the University of Sydney, including covid safety requirements, when taking part in campus tutorial classes.

Work, health and safety

Students are required to fully comply with the safety rules implemented by the University of Sydney, including covid safety requirements, when taking part in campus tutorial classes.

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

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CIVL9811: Engineering Design and Construction

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

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links