Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Civil Engineering School
This course will allow you to apply your knowledge of fundamental soil mechanics to the analysis and design of structures very commonly required in all civil infrastructure development from small and large buildings to road and highway construction, and wharf and port structures. The course covers the analysis of earth pressures, design of retaining walls, bearing capacity and settlement of shallow footings, design of pile footings and the slope stability of natural and man-made slopes.
This course continues the development of soil mechanics theory and its application to geotechnical analysis and design.
Course requirements
Assumed background
An understanding of statics including force, moment, stress and equilibrium condition.
An understanding of soil mechanics topics including stress concepts (i.e. total stress, pore water pressure and effective stress),ﾠMohr circle analysis, shear strength, Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion, seepage and consolidation.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
CIVL2210
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The course aims to develop an understanding of the geotechnical design process and to appreciate the challenges and underlying complexity of the design of geotechnical infrastructure. The course will extend fundamental understanding of soil behaviour and apply these concepts to the design and analysis of retaining walls, shallow footings, deep footings and slopes.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Explain the geotechnical design process and the challenges faced by geotechnical engineers in designing civil infrastructure.
LO2.
Evaluate the lateral earth pressures at failure for various types of soils and groundwater conditions.
LO3.
Explain how limit analysis methods are employed in designing geotechnical structures.
LO4.
Apply elasticity theory to geotechnical design problems and understand their limitations.
LO5.
Design gravity and embedded retaining walls in accordance with accepted engineering practice and standards.
LO6.
Evaluate the ultimate bearing capacity and expected settlement of shallow footings.
LO7.
Assess the axial and lateral capacity and deformation of deep footings.
LO8.
Assess the stability of natural and man-made slopes.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Virtual Laboratory Quiz
|
16% |
15/04/2025 10:00 am
Week 8 |
| Quiz |
Course Content Quizzes
|
20% |
Retaining Wall (6%) 27/03/2025 4:00 pm Shallow Footing (6%) 1/05/2025 4:00 pm Pile Foundations (6%) 15/05/2025 4:00 pm Slope Stability (6%) 29/05/2025 4:00 pm
Quiz will be available for eight hours (from 8:00 to 16:00) to be completed. |
| Examination |
Final Examination
|
60% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Virtual Laboratory Quiz
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 16%
- Due date
15/04/2025 10:00 am
Week 8
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
Online quiz via Blackboard that covers the virtual laboratory with model experiments on retaining walls. Multiple choice, short answer and calculation-based questions.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Complete online quiz on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course Content Quizzes
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
Retaining Wall (6%) 27/03/2025 4:00 pm
Shallow Footing (6%) 1/05/2025 4:00 pm
Pile Foundations (6%) 15/05/2025 4:00 pm
Slope Stability (6%) 29/05/2025 4:00 pm
Quiz will be available for eight hours (from 8:00 to 16:00) to be completed.
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08
Task description
These quizzes test your understanding of various concepts in geotechnical engineering. Short answer and calculation-based questions.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Complete online quizzes on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final Examination
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08
Task description
Short answers and calculation-based questions.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
A minimum percentage of 40% is required in the final examination in order to pass the course.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Open Book examination |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates a very poor knowledgeﾠand understanding of the underlying concepts. |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates a poor knowledge and understanding of the underlying concepts. A total mark greater than or equal to 20% over all for assessment items. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: A total mark greater than or equal to 45% over all assessment items. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates sound knowledge and at least partial understanding of the underlying concepts. Has some correct and some incorrect information. A totalﾠmark greater than or equal to 50% over all assessment items. A minimum percentage of 40% is required in the final examination in order to pass the course. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates sound knowledge and sound understanding of the key concepts. A totalﾠmark greater than or equal to 65% over all assessment items. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Key concepts are well understood. There is a demonstrated ability to solve previously unseen problems.ﾠ A total mark greater than or equal to 75% over all assessment items. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Key concepts are thoroughly understood and can be used to solve previously unseen problems. There is evidence of critical analysis and an ability to synthesise information from different aspects of the subject. A totalﾠmark greater than or equal toﾠ85% over all assessment items. |
Additional course grading information
Grade cutoffs and hurdles
Final marks will be rounded up to an integer value prior to applying hurdles or grade boundaries.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
A blended learning environment comprising edX platform, contact sessions and a virtual laboratory will be employed in CIVL3210 in 2021.ﾠ
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Problem-based learning |
LearnX Problem Set Tutorial Problem Set questions need to be answered within the LearnX environment. Solutions and questions can be discussed during the Contact Session. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08 |
Lecture |
LearnX Lecture Series The primary method of course delivery allows students to learn at their own pace. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08 |
|
General contact hours |
Contact Session - Discussion & Problem Solving The Contact Session is an opportunity for students to ask questions and receive feedback and additional information. These sessions will also feature guest lectures from practitioners and provide a platform for solving in-class problems. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08 |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 3 To Week 8 |
Practical |
Virtual Laboratory Pre-recorded videos provided on LearnX will be used alongside in-class demonstrations. Students are encouraged to actively participate in these demonstrations. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05, L06 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: