CIVILENG 2004 - Introduction to Geo-engineering

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2025

The course provides an understanding of: the introduction to earth processes; the nature of soils and their variability; and the state and behaviour of a soil. Topics include: Introduction to Earth Processes: How the Earth Works/Plate Tectonics, Minerals, Rocks and Weathering, Structural Geology and Earthquakes; The Origin and Composition of Soils: introduction to geotechnical engineering, processes that form soils, clay mineralogy; phase relationships, Atterberg limits and soil classification: soil state definitions, phase relationships, grain size analyses, Atterberg limits, soil classification and description; Soil Improvement: Compaction - concepts, measurement and field techniques, Overview of other soil improvement techniques; vertical stress in soils: soil suction, total vertical stress, pore water pressure, effective vertical stress; flow of water through soils: water flow, permeability, consolidation: introduction to consolidation theory, oedometer test, overconsolidation ratio, consolidation settlement, strength of soils: shear strength of sands and clays, Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion, direct shear test, triaxial test.

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Course Details

Course Code	CIVILENG 2004
Course	Introduction to Geo-engineering
Coordinating Unit	Civil Engineering
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 4 Hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Assumed Knowledge	CEME 1004 or CIVILENG 1004 or C&ENVENG 1010, CEME 2001 or CIVILENG 2001 or C&ENVENG 2025, MATHS 1011, MATHS 1012
Assessment	Exams, coursework

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Brendan Scott

Dr Brendan Scott, Course Coordinator and Instructor (Geotechnical Engineering)
Email: brendan.scott@adelaide.edu.au
Office: N154, Level 1, Engineering North Building

Dr Jack Mulder, Instructor (Geology)
Email: jack.mulder@adelaide.edu.au
Office: G11c, Mawson Building

Dr Adam Abersteiner, Instructor (Geology)
Email: adam.abersteiner@adelaide.edu.au
Office: G11a, Mawson Building

Dr Jarred Lloyd, Instructor (Geology)
Email: jarred.lloyd@adelaide.edu.au
Office: G41a, Mawson Building

Dr Issa Kousa, Geotechnical Practicals Coordinator
Email: issa.kousa@adelaide.edu.au
Office: N230, Level 2, Engineering North Building

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

A weekly timetable will be available to students through MyUni.

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1	Explain earth processes and identify rocks;
2	Explain the different types of soil and their engineering properties;
3	Describe and classify soils;
4	Explain soil compaction and calculate ground improvement;
5	Examine the concept of effective stress and calculate its influence on soil behaviour;
6	Explain and calculate the influence of water flow on the engineering behaviour of soils;
7	Explain and calculate the compressibility of soils and load-induced ground settlement;
8	Examine and calculate the shear strength of soils;
9	Interpret and use experimental data; and
10	Report the results of laboratory experiments to a professional standard.

The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers 最新糖心Vlog . The course develops the following EA Elements of Competency to levels of introductory (A), intermediate (B), advanced (C):

1.1	1.2	1.3	1.4	1.5	1.6	2.1	2.2	2.3	2.4	3.1	3.2	3.3	3.4	3.5	3.6
B	B	A	—	B	B	B	—	—	—	A	A	—	A	—	A

最新糖心Vlog Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1-10
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1-10
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	10
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	1-10
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	1-10
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	1-10

Learning & Teaching Modes

The course will be delivered in the format of lectures and interactive learning modules supported by problem-solving tutorials and assignments. In addition, laboratory classes will be used to develop skills in identification of rock & minerals and the determination of soil index properties (i.e. particle size distribution, Atterberg limits, and compaction).

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Activity	Contact Hours	Independent Study Hours	Total
Lecture modules/recordings	0	24	24
Workshops	18	0	18
Practicals: Rocks Identification	9	18	27
Practicals: Soil Index Properties	3	6 (per person)	9
Assignments	0	15	15
Rock and Mineral ID test	2	10	12
Exam Preparation	0	45	45
Exam 1: Earth Processes	1	0	1
Exam 2: Geotechnical Engineering	3	0	3
Total	36	118	154

Learning Activities Summary

This course explores the following topics:

Earth Processes
The formation of rocks, rock types, minerals, earth's structure and earthquakes;
Origin and Composition of Soils
The formation and constituents of soils, soil structure and charactierstics;
Phase Relationships and Soil Classification
The effects of water on soils, purposes of classifying soils, and the method used to classify a soil;
Soil Improvement
Equipment used for soil compaction, factors affecting soil compaction, and soil improvement methods used in the field;
Vertical Stress in Soils
Types of stresses in the ground, the importance of water to stress in soil, and the methods used to determine stresses;
One-Dimensional Flow of Water Through Soils
The causes for flow of water through soils, hydraulic conductivity and its determination, effects of water flow on soils, and water flow related disasters (liquefaction and quick condition);
Compressibility and Consolidation of Soils
The causes of load-induced ground settlement, laboratory tests used to predict settlement, and calculation of load-induced ground settlement;
Strength of Soils
The importance of soil shear strength, factors affecting shear strength, laboratory tests used to determine soil shear strength, and soil failure assessment.

These topics are delivered in the context of a set of integrated learning units designed to motivate students to attain learning outcomes of this course. The learning activity details are provided on MyUni.

The 最新糖心Vlog's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Individual / Group	Due*	Weighting	Hurdle Criteria	Learning Outcome
Practical: Rocks Identification	Formative & Summative	Individual	Week 6	15%		1, 9, 10
Practicals: Soil Properties**	Formative & Summative	Group	Weeks 7 - 13	10%		9, 10
Assignments	Formative	Individual	Weeks 5 - 13	15%		2 - 8
Exam 1: Earth Processes	Summative	Individual	Week 4	15%		1
Exam 2: Geotechnical Engineering	Summative	Individual	Exam period	45%	40% min	2 - 8

* The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.

** Please ensure that you have enrolled in the laboratory classes.

This assessment breakdown complies with the 最新糖心Vlog's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.

This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.

Assessment Detail

No information currently available.

Submission

No information currently available.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

Student Feedback

The 最新糖心Vlog places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the 最新糖心Vlog to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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