Dr Chenming Zhang
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
Purpose of geotechnical investigation and testing; geotechnical site investigation methods, including test pitting, drilling, soil sampling, rock coring, in situ testing, cone penetration testing of soil profiles, and geophysical testing; planning a geotechnical investigation and testing program; laboratory testing methods for soils and rocks, their applications and limitations, and their interpretation; geotechnical parameter assessment.
The course covers the following topics:
- Purpose of geotechnical investigation and testing
- Geotechnical site investigation methods, including test pitting, drilling, soil sampling, rock coring, in situ testing, cone penetration testing of soil profiles, and geophysical testing
- Planning a geotechnical investigation and testing program
- Laboratory testing methods for soils and rocks, their applications and limitations, and their interpretation
- Geotechnical parameter assessment.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Assumed background are the content of courses CIVL2210 and CIVL3210.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
CIVL2210
Course staff
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Provided ﾠrecording facilities exist in the Lecture Room and are functional. Lectures and Tutorials will be recorded.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to equip students with the foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary for comprehensive geotechnical investigations. Students will learn to assess the capabilities and limitations of laboratory and in-situ equipment and methods, develop effective plans for field and laboratory testing programs, and interpret and analyse investigation data. They will also gain the ability to synthesise findings into well-supported design parameters, collaborate on technical reporting, and communicate technical insights to diverse audiences, all while engaging in reflective practices that foster continuous improvement in geotechnical engineering.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the requirements of a geotechnical investigation by applying this to a given site.
LO2.
Plan a geotechnical investigation.
LO3.
Plan a field and laboratory testing program.
LO4.
Interpret and analyse the results of a geotechnical investigation and testing program.
LO5.
Recommend geotechnical parameters for design, based on the interpretation and analysis of the results of a geotechnical investigation and testing program.
LO6.
Successfully function as part of a team to produce appropriate geotechnical investigation technical reports.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Geotechnical Investigation & Testing Program - Group Assignment 1
|
20% |
7/04/2025 4:00 pm |
| Presentation |
Interpreting Geotechnical Parameters - Group Assignment 2
|
20% |
19/05/2025 4:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final Examination (MCQ and PSQ)
|
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
Geotechnical Investigation & Testing Program - Group Assignment 1
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
7/04/2025 4:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L06
Task description
Assignment 1 will be carried out in student-assigned Groups of up to 6 students.
Plan a geotechnical investigation and testing program for the given site, covering the following aspects:
(a) Likely geotechnical requirements.
(b) Likely ground conditions and geotechnical constraints of the site.
(c) Required geotechnical investigation and testing program to address and satisfy (a) and (b).
Each team member's contribution to this assignment will be peer-assessed using Buddycheck on the course's Blackboard. You will evaluate your teammates' contributions and justify your own participation. A Peer Assessment Factor will be generated through this process, which will be used to adjust individual final marks based on the group assignment score and the moderated peer assessment factor.
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
Assessment must be submitted through the course BlackBoard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
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.
Interpreting Geotechnical Parameters - Group Assignment 2
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
19/05/2025 4:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L06
Task description
Assignment 2 will be carried out in the same Groups of up to 6 students as for Assignment 1.
Assignment 2 is in 5 parts:
(a) Present the evolution of CPTu Soil Behavious Type (SBT) Charts.
(b) Comment on the evolution of the SBT Charts, and how they relate to the Unified Soil Classification (USC).
(c) Present CPTu geotechnical parameter correlations for clean sands.
(d) Present CPTu geotechnical parameter correlations for clays.
(e) Comment on the reliability of the CPTu-derived geotechnical parameters for clean sands and clays.
Each team member's contribution to this assignment will be peer-assessed using Buddycheck on the course's Blackboard. You will evaluate your teammates' contributions and justify your own participation. A Peer Assessment Factor will be generated through this process, which will be used to adjust individual final marks based on the group assignment score and the moderated peer assessment factor.
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
Assessment must be submitted through the course BlackBoard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
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 (MCQ and PSQ)
- 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
Task description
The final exam will include a combination of multiple choice and short answer 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
To receive an overall grade of 4 or more, a student must achieve at least 45% on the final exam.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 | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| 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 fails to demonstrate any significant knowledge or understanding of the underlying concepts. Much of the information provided is inaccurate or irrelevant. |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student fails to demonstrate sufficient knowledge or understanding of the underlying concepts. Much of the information provided is inaccurate or irrelevant. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The student falls short of satisfying all basic requirements of a Pass. |
| 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. Some correct and some incorrect information is provided. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates sound knowledge and understanding of the underlying concepts. Information provided is largely correct. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates very sound knowledge and understanding of the underlying concepts. Information provided is essentially correct and relevant. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates excellent knowledge and understanding of the underlying concepts. There is evidence of critical analysis, and information provided is accurate and relevant. |
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
Powerpoint presentations covering the Course content will be emailed to enrolled students.
Links to selected references and resources will also be provided.
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 |
Lecture |
Lecture Series A 2-hour lecture will be given in-person from 2:00 to 03:50pm on Mondays in the room timetabled, to cover the course content and its application. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial Series A 1-hour Tutorial will be given in-person following the Lecture from 4:00 to 4:50pm on Mondays in the room timetabled, to provide examples pertinent to the application of the course material, and to introduce and provide feedback on the examinable Assignments. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, 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: