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
Ground improvement is the modification of the existing physical and chemical properties of the ground beneath a site to enable economic and safe construction. These modifications are required because some construction sites (e.g. soft soils) are unable to sustain the loading of buildings or to allow the construction of excavations such as shafts or tunnels. This course offers the theoretical and practical aspects behind the most common improvement solutions such as dynamic compaction, vibration techniques, prefabricated vertical drains, jet grouting, micropiles, stone columns, soil-cement columns, and soil mixing. This course also presents a brief review of porous media mechanics and the use of geotextiles, geogrids, and geofoams for building retaining walls or stabilising embankments.
Ground improvement techniques provide solutions to many problematic geotechnical conditions, such as ground instabilities or soft soils. In addition, ground improvement techniques often demonstrate low carbon impact and positive sustainability aspects compared to traditional methods.
Ground improvement must consider the three essential pillars of geotechnics: strength, deformation, and water flow. Hence, the engineer must have good soil mechanics knowledge to apply ground improvement techniques effectively.
This course presents:
- Introduction to ground improvement and remediation technologies
- Problematic geomaterials and sites
- Classifications and applications
- A brief review of consolidation and introduction of liquefaction analysis
- Soil consolidation
- Liquefaction analysis
- Shallow and deep compaction
- Deep dynamic compaction
- Vibro compaction
- Conventional, Intelligent, and rapid-impact compaction
- Deep replacement
- Granular columns, concrete columns, geosynthetic-encased columns
- Vibro-replacement
- In situ ground reinforcement
- Basics of Micropiles
- Ground anchors
- Soil nailing, launched nails (shot-in nails), grouted nails
- Preloading
- Consolidation and vertical drains
- Multi-staged construction
- Deep mixing and grouting
- Plus basics of piled-raft design
- Fill reinforcement with geosynthetics
- Slopes, embankments, retaining walls
- Mechanically stabilized earth walls
- Geosynthetic-reinforced foundations and roads
- Erosion control
- Lightweight fill materials (geofoam)
Course requirements
Assumed background
- Comprehensive knowledge of soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering
- Knowledge of continuum mechanics for porous media
- Ability to perform computer calculations using any electronic tool
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
CIVL2210 and CIVL3210
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
CIVL7215
Course staff
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to introduce the concepts of ground improvement and the most common improvement techniques in civil engineering.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Identify and list the types of sites that require improvement to enable civil construction.
LO2.
Explain the criteria for selecting the most appropriate ground improvement technique for a specific site
LO3.
Demonstrate the use of different ground improvement techniques by applying them to hypothetical site scenarios.
LO4.
Compare and contrast the limitations and capabilities of the most common ground improvement techniques
LO5.
Assess the effectiveness of a ground improvement technique by performing calculations to analyse the strength, deformation, and flow characteristics of improved sites.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Assignments | 40% |
A1 17/04/2025 4:00 pm A2 29/05/2025 4:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
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
Assignments
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
A1 17/04/2025 4:00 pm
A2 29/05/2025 4:00 pm
Task description
There will be two assignments, each requiring the reporting of one of the geotechnical solutions listed below:
Geomaterials and compaction methods
- Introduction to ground improvement and remediation
- Problematic geomaterials and sites
- Classifications and applications
- Geomaterials, testing, and design
- Properties of geomaterials and geosynthetics
- In situ testing, shallow foundations, slope stability, earth retaining walls, liquefaction
- Shallow and deep compaction
- Deep dynamic compaction
- Vibro compaction
Conventional compaction and deep replacement
- Shallow and deep compaction
- Conventional, Intelligent, and rapid-impact compaction
- Deep replacement
- Granular columns, concrete columns, geosynthetic-encased columns
- Vibro-replacement
Micropiles, anchors, nails, and preloading
- In situ ground reinforcement
- Basics of Micropiles
- Ground anchors
- Soil nailing, launched nails (shot-in nails), grouted nails
- Preloading
- Consolidation and vertical drains
- Multi-staged construction
Mixing, grouting, and geosynthetics
- Deep mixing and grouting
- The basics of piled-raft design
- Fill reinforcement with geosynthetics
- Slopes, embankments, retaining walls
- Mechanically stabilized earth walls
- Geosynthetic-reinforced foundations and roads
- Erosion control
- Lightweight fill materials (geofoam)
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
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 21 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 Exam
- 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.
Task description
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 | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| 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: Negligible knowledge and application ability of the core material.ﾠ |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Insufficient knowledge and application skills inﾠthe coreﾠmaterial.ﾠ |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Falls short of satisfying all basic requirements for a Pass.ﾠ45-49% Superficial knowledge and insufficient application ability of the core material. A Pass standardﾠmust demonstrate adequate ability toﾠselect the most appropriate ground improvement method for a particular geotechnical design and toﾠunderstand the physics and mechanical behaviours related to each improvement technique. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Sound knowledge of the core material and the ability to apply in standard contexts. A Pass standardﾠmust demonstrate adequate ability toﾠselect the most appropriate ground improvement method for a particular geotechnical design and toﾠunderstand the physics and mechanical behaviours related to each improvement technique. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Comprehensive knowledge and application ability with respect to theﾠcore material. Achieves an aggregated overall grade greater than or equal to 5. Students must also demonstrate substantialﾠknowledge ofﾠtheﾠfundamental mechanical behaviour considering strength,ﾠdeformations, and water flow within the porous matrix (seepage). Also, the studentsﾠmust demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate ground improvement techniques, their trade-offs and their limitations. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Comprehensive understanding and some ability to apply the theory to new problems.ﾠ Students must also demonstrate a high knowledge ofﾠtheﾠfundamental mechanical behaviour considering strength,ﾠdeformations, and water flow within the porous matrix (seepage). Also, the studentsﾠmust demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate ground improvement techniques, their trade-offs and their limitations. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Comprehensive knowledge and in-depth understanding demonstrated together with a strong ability to apply the theory to new types of problems. Students must also demonstrate a consistently high knowledge ofﾠtheﾠfundamental mechanical behaviour considering strength,ﾠdeformations, and water flow within the porous matrix (seepage). Also, the studentsﾠmust demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate ground improvement techniques, their trade-offs and their limitations. |
Additional course grading information
Grade cutoffs and hurdles
Final (total) 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.
Additional assessment information
Where a student has been granted supplementary assessment and the form of assessment is a written examination held during the University's designated deferred and supplementary examination period the final grade awarded will be based on the results of the supplementary examination only, and a passing grade for the course will be awarded only if the student receives a passing grade or mark on the supplementary examination/s. The pass mark for the supplementary exam will be 50%.
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.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
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| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks |
Tutorial |
Tutorials |
Lecture |
Lectures |
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: