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Course profile

Underground Structures (CIVL6250)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Civil Engineering School

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of urban infrastructure, particularly tunnels. Focusing on planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operational aspects. The course aims to develop engineering skills with an emphasis on creating sustainable infrastructure that supports and connects communities. Students will acquire knowledge in urban planning, socio-economic benefits, geotechnical investigations, and detailed structural design using empirical, semi-empirical, and numerical modelling. Through practical applications, students will gain the knowledge and expertise needed to contribute responsibly to the future of urban tunnelling projects. Endorsed by the Engineers Australia, Australian Tunnelling Society.

Underground infrastructure is crucial for societal functioning and urban liveability, providing a way to create land and support urban growth. This course examines the potential for industrial growth and infrastructure development with minimal environmental impact. Students will explore the benefits of underground infrastructure in enhancing urban resiliency, alongside critical challenges such as flooding risks and fire/life safety considerations.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Fundamental knowledge of soil and rock mechanics, geotechnical engineering and construction material (concrete/steel).

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:

CIVL7235

Course staff

Course coordinator

Lecturer

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Aims and outcomes

To introduce the concepts and methods for designing geotechnical and mechanically stable underground structures for various purposes taking into account influences from geology, hydrology and other neighbouring scientific fields.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Evaluate information about underground structure planning and the socio-economic benefits

LO2.

Understand awareness of spatial planning strategies revising examples

LO3.

Evaluate the design and applications of underground structures

LO4.

Apply design criteria and appropriate analyses for underground structure

LO5.

Analyse concepts to a project scenario and evaluate the ability to use urban underground structures

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Paper/ Report/ Annotation Project Report - Planning and route selection 25%

28/08/2024 4:00 pm

Paper/ Report/ Annotation Project Report - Excavation methodology and support 40%

23/10/2024 4:00 pm

Examination Final Examination
  • Hurdle
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
35%

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

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

Project Report - Planning and route selection

Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation
Weight
25%
Due date

28/08/2024 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02

Task description

Develop a prefeasibility design for the tunnel, addressing station locations, alignment, geological risks, and sustainability. Provide a comprehensive report with drawings.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.

A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

through Turnitin (BlackBoard).

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.

Project Report - Excavation methodology and support

Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation
Weight
40%
Due date

23/10/2024 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L03, L04

Task description

Develop a tunnel design that addresses geotechnical risks, excavation methods, support mechanisms, and sustainability. Provide a comprehensive report including design calculations and professional drawings.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.

A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

through Turnitin (BlackBoard).

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

  • Hurdle
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
35%
Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

Other conditions
Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Interpret concepts to a project scenario and evaluate the ability to use urban underground structures.

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

Students must obtain 45% on the final exam 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 Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted
Exam platform Paper based
Invigilation

Invigilated in person

Submission guidelines

Not a submissible item.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Cut off Percent Description
1 (Low Fail) 0 - 19.99

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Demonstrates no understanding of Underground Structure concepts, ideas, theories, and calculations.

2 (Fail) 20 - 44.99

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Demonstrates little understanding of Underground Structure concepts, ideas, theories, and calculations.

3 (Marginal Fail) 45 - 49.99

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

Course grade description: Demonstrate an inadequate understanding of Underground Structure concepts, ideas, theories, and calculations.

4 (Pass) 50 - 64.99

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Demonstrate an adequate understanding of Underground Structure concepts, ideas, theories, and calculations.

5 (Credit) 65 - 74.99

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Demonstrate a good understanding of Underground Structure concepts, ideas, theories, and calculations.

6 (Distinction) 75 - 84.99

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Demonstrate a very good understanding of Underground Structure concepts, ideas, theories, and calculations.

7 (High Distinction) 85 - 100

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Demonstrate an excellent understanding of Underground Structure concepts, ideas, theories, and calculations.

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.

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

From Week 1 To Week 13
(22 Jul - 27 Oct)

Lecture

Lecture series

Lectures given by academics and guest lecturers.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Tutorial

Tutorials

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Week 2

(29 Jul - 04 Aug)

Excursion

Experience Centre site visit

The site visit is highly recommended, but not mandatory, and will be held during the tutorial in Week 2. Students will be expected to make their own way to and from the location (Brisbane CBD).

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

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:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:

School guidelines

Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: