Overview
In this unit, you will learn the role of geotechnical investigations in the design process, and soil mechanics including description of physical properties, soil classification, bearing capacity, permeability, compressibility, shear strength, slope stability, flow of water, and foundations and footings including investigations into basic principles of subsurface rock and soil materials and their ability to support structures.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
BLAR11049 Built Environment Communication and Skills Or COMM11003 Professional and Technical Communication (before 2012 term 1)
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student Unit Teaching Evaluation (SUTE)- T2- 2024
It is a good idea to attempt the weekly questions to expand everyone's knowledge through weekly tutorials. Simultaneously, weekly tutorial videos and the assessment tips were extremely helpful in passing this unit.
Similar teaching method will be adopted for next and future deliveries.
Feedback from Student Unit Teaching Evaluation (SUTE)- T2- 2024
Students are satisfied with the sufficient learning materials given with the unit learning. However, they have requested a summarised glossary type document to cover all symbols and abbreviations in each topic.
A document covering all symbols and abbreviations will be given to students from next delivery.
Feedback from The unit coordinator and lecturer
It is better to continue facilitating formative online quizzes with the aid of the textbook publisher.
The lecturer will continuously liaise with the textbook publisher and try facilitating formative online quizzes with the aid of them.
Feedback from Unsolicited student email to appreciate the lecturer
Students find that the unit context is difficult due to engineering and mathematics exposure. However, they find the lecturer's assessment tips and tutorial recordings have been beneficial for the unit's success.
The learning context will be discussed with the Built environment discipline team and the course reference committee to confirm the relevance of the unit learning to the roles of building professionals. The lecturer will adopt the same strategy to enhance students' learning.
Feedback from Student Unit Teaching Evaluation (SUTE)- T2-2024 (Section 3 score)
Some students question the unit relevance to their qualification/ degree.
The unit is recommended by the course accredited professional bodies; hence, this concern will be raised at Built Environment regular meetings and then discussed with the professional bodies for strategies to address.
- Apply soil and rock mechanics principles in building design and construction.
- Interpret the influences of geological processes and natural environments on geotechnical design.
- Explain the use and limitations of geotechnical design in built environment projects.
- Perform basic geotechnical calculations including soil phase relationships, strength, stability, stress, compressibility, permeability and bearing capacity.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 25% | ||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 10% | ||||
| 4 - Written Assessment - 35% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 25% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 10% | ||||||||||
| 4 - Written Assessment - 35% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
PRINCIPLES OF GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
Edition: 10th edn (2022)
Authors: Braja M. Das
Cengage Learning
Boston Boston , MA , USA
ISBN: 9780357420485
If you are having issues accessing the eBook at the Library website, both paper and eBook copies can be purchased at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)
If you are having issues accessing the eBook at the Library website, both paper and eBook copies can be purchased at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Micorsoft Office or equivalent (wordprocessing) software for preparation of assessment items in the appropriate format
- Microphone and headset (and prefereably a camera) to participate in Zoom sessions
- MS Teams
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
p.kalutara@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Topic 1: History of geotechnical studies, origin of soil, and weight-volume relationships
Chapter
Please refer to the study guide and Moodle site for specific text book readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 2: Plasticity and structure of soil, classification of soil, and soil compaction
Chapter
Please refer to the study guide and Moodle site for specific text book readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 3: Permeability
Chapter
Please refer to the study guide and Moodle site for specific text book readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 4: In situ stress
Chapter
Please refer to the study guide and Moodle site for specific text book readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 5: Stresses in a soil mass
Chapter
Please refer to the study guide and Moodle site for specific text book readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
No online sessions- enjoy the break!
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 6: Compressibility of soil
Chapter
Please refer to the study guide and Moodle site for specific text book readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 7: Shear strength of soil
Chapter
Please refer to the study guide and Moodle site for specific text book readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 8: Lateral earth pressure: At-rest, Rankine, and Coulomb
Chapter
Please refer to the study guide and Moodle site for specific text book readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 9: Lateral earth pressure: Curved failure surface
Chapter
Please refer to the study guide and Moodle site for specific text book readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 10: Slope stability
Chapter
Please refer to the study guide and Moodle site for specific text book readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 11: Soil bearing capacity for shallow foundations
Chapter
Please refer to the study guide and Moodle site for specific text book readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 12: Subsoil exploration and rock mechanics
Chapter
Please refer to the study guide and Moodle site for specific text book readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Relax! No exams for this unit.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Relax! No exams for this unit.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
Assessment task 1 covers Topic 1-4 in the study guide. It will require you to research and answer a number of questions that explore significant geotechnical concepts and calculations in relation to soil characteristics/properties, standard Proctor test, conductivity test, soil compaction and soil's in situ stresses.
As with all assessments, formatting and presentation is important to design your answer with clarity. Technical accuracy and references to support ideas/facts will be paramount in demonstrating your answer in valid and reliable manner.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI PLANNING
You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Your assignment should be produced in electronic format either as a:
- single word-processed document, or
- single pdf format document
Before or on the nominated due date, upload your work following the on-screen instructions.
Your submission will be processed through the similarity detection software, Turnitin. You may amend your work based on the detection report (Turnitin score).
You must ensure that the submission is your own and that any cited work has been correctly referenced as per Harvard referencing style as advised by CQU Harvard referencing guide.
Further information regarding the assessment will be available on the unit Moodle site.
Vacation Week Monday (18 Aug 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Please submit via the assessment portal on the Moodle home page .
Week 7 Monday (1 Sept 2025)
Review of the assessment will be returned within two weeks of the submission due date.
The following criteria will be used to evaluate the submissions:
- Clarity of expression and comprehensive coverage of issues
- Use of quality supporting documentation as appropriate
- Use of original thought and content
- Overall presentation and ability to communicate using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation and the use of appropriate diagrams and other visual communication
- Demonstration of core knowledge and demonstration of appropriate application of knowledge
- Apply soil and rock mechanics principles in building design and construction.
- Interpret the influences of geological processes and natural environments on geotechnical design.
- Explain the use and limitations of geotechnical design in built environment projects.
- Perform basic geotechnical calculations including soil phase relationships, strength, stability, stress, compressibility, permeability and bearing capacity.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
2 Written Assessment
Assessment task 2 covers Topic 5-8 in the study guide. It will require you to research and answer a number of questions that explore significant geotechnical concepts and calculations in relation to stresses in a soil mass, compressibility of soil, shear strength of soil and lateral earth pressure.
As with all assessments, formatting and presentation is important to design your answer with clarity. Technical accuracy and references to support ideas/facts will be paramount in demonstrating your answer in valid and reliable manner.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI PLANNING
You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Your assignment should be produced in electronic format either as a:
- single word-processed document, or
- single pdf format document
Before or on the nominated due date, upload your work following the on-screen instructions.
Your submission will be processed through the similarity detection software, Turnitin. You may amend your work based on the detection report (Turnitin score).
You must ensure that the submission is your own and that any cited work has been correctly referenced as per Harvard referencing style as advised by CQU Harvard referencing guide.
Further information regarding the assessment will be available on the unit Moodle site.
Week 10 Monday (22 Sept 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Please submit via the assessment portal on the Moodle home page.
Week 12 Monday (6 Oct 2025)
Review of the assessment will be returned within two weeks of the submission due date.
The following criteria will be used to evaluate the submissions:
- Clarity of expression and comprehensive coverage of issues
- Use of quality supporting documentation as appropriate
- Use of original thought and content
- Overall presentation and ability to communicate using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation and the use of appropriate diagrams and other visual communication
- Demonstration of core knowledge and demonstration of appropriate application of knowledge
- Apply soil and rock mechanics principles in building design and construction.
- Interpret the influences of geological processes and natural environments on geotechnical design.
- Explain the use and limitations of geotechnical design in built environment projects.
- Perform basic geotechnical calculations including soil phase relationships, strength, stability, stress, compressibility, permeability and bearing capacity.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
3 Online Quiz(zes)
In this assessment task, students need to answer a quiz consists of 20 multiple choice questions based on all the topics of the unit.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - NO AI
You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Further information regarding the assessment will be available on the unit Moodle site.
1
Other
Week 12 Friday (10 Oct 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Please refer to the instructions on Moodle page
Review/Exam Week Monday (13 Oct 2025)
Results of the quiz will be returned within 24 hours of the due date or submission date (whichever is the latest)
The quiz will be assessed based on the understanding of core knowledge and application areas of geotechnical engineering.
- Apply soil and rock mechanics principles in building design and construction.
- Interpret the influences of geological processes and natural environments on geotechnical design.
- Explain the use and limitations of geotechnical design in built environment projects.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
4 Written Assessment
Assessment task 4 covers Topics 9-12 in the study guide. It will require you to research and answer a number of questions that explore significant geotechnical concepts and calculations in relation to earth pressure, slope stability, soil bearing capacity, and subsoil exploration and rock mechanics.
As with all assessments, formatting and presentation is important to design your answer with clarity. Technical accuracy and references to support ideas/facts will be paramount in demonstrating your answer in valid and reliable manner.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI PLANNING
You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Your assignment should be produced in electronic format either as a:
- single word-processed document, or
- single pdf format document
Before or on the nominated due date, upload your work following the on-screen instructions.
Your submission will be processed through the similarity detection software, Turnitin. You may amend your work based on the detection report (Turnitin score).
You must ensure that the submission is your own and that any cited work has been correctly referenced as per Harvard referencing style as advised by CQU Harvard referencing guide.
Further information regarding the assessment will be available on the unit Moodle site.
Review/Exam Week Monday (13 Oct 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Please submit via the assessment portal on the Moodle home page.
Exam Week Friday (24 Oct 2025)
Within two weeks of submission due date but before the certification of grades
The following criteria will be used to evaluate the submissions:
- Clarity of expression and comprehensive coverage of issues
- Use of quality supporting documentation as appropriate
- Use of original thought and content
- Overall presentation and ability to communicate using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation and the use of appropriate diagrams and other visual communication
- Demonstration of core knowledge and demonstration of appropriate application of knowledge
- Apply soil and rock mechanics principles in building design and construction.
- Interpret the influences of geological processes and natural environments on geotechnical design.
- Explain the use and limitations of geotechnical design in built environment projects.
- Perform basic geotechnical calculations including soil phase relationships, strength, stability, stress, compressibility, permeability and bearing capacity.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
