For this assessment, students will form teams and will conduct research on the given geotechnical engineering topics. These topics are related to the advanced methods for estimating the bearing capacity of the soil for foundation design, stability analyses, retaining structures design and exploration of the related Australian Standards. In some cases, students may also require using related geotechnical software packages for their report. Students are required to submit their report and also present it orally as a team.

The following criteria will be assessed:

a) Format of the report and including cover page, table of contents, abstract, literature, conclusion and examples (if any);
b) Work breakdown among team members;
c) The coherence of the research;
d) Completeness of the research and its details;
e) Complete Referencing; and
f) Quality of the presentation.

Professional presentation will have the following features:

• The research is clearly identified;
• A clear statement of each topic and its details and requirements;
• Appropriate use of diagrams and clear diagrams;
• Correct use of terminologies; and
• Clear English in the explanation of the procedure and interpretation of the results.
• Grades for the assessment will be determined based on the evidence and substantiation of attainment of the LOs (learning outcomes).

After submission of the team report, students must individually present their report orally (or recorded) to the class. Students must be well prepared to answer any questions raised by the lecturer during the presentation about the topic of their research.

Individual Student's Grade:

Each team submission will be assessed and a grade will be given to each member of the team based on the submitted report that forms 50% of the assignment 1 mark. Students will also be assessed based on their individual presentation which forms the other 50% mark of assignment 1.

A similarity check will be always done before marking the submitted assignments for all students. Upon detection of any plagiarism including:

• Similarity between submitted reports within the same cohort or
• With the previous cohorts or
• Submitted works to other institutes or
• Using the material provided by cheating websites

will result in failing that assignment without marking and the student will be reported to the CQU Academic Misconduct team for further actions.
Use of AI to prepare report will also be checked and upon detection of AI usage, the submission may not be accepted resulting to failure of the submitted assessment item.

The aim of this assessment is to allow the students to demonstrate their understanding of various concepts, theories and processes developed in the course. This may include but is not limited to foundation design, foundation settlement, soil reinforcement, slope stability, site investigation, earth retaining wall and soil improvement techniques. Formal assessment is by submission of a portfolio which contains evidence of all the individual works that the student has performed throughout the term.

Each question in this assessment will be assessed separately for the:

• Accuracy;
• Correct application of mathematics and arithmetic;
• Answers clearly identified; and
• Correct results.

In addition, the assessment as a whole will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Evidence of correct procedures;
• All necessary steps in the analysis are present in the correct order;
• Clear presentation of the mathematical and arithmetical working linking is given;
• Details of the problem with the results are obtained; and
• Evidence of checking results (mathematical, graphical, logic common sense) are presented.

Evidence of an understanding of the topic.

• Explanation of choices made in the analysis (why is the procedure required, why this particular procedure); and
• Interpretation of results.

A similarity check will be always done before marking the submitted assignments for all students. Upon detection of any plagiarism including:

1. Similarity between submitted reports within the same cohort or
2. with the previous cohorts or
3. submitted works to other institutes or
4. using the material provided by cheating websites

will result in failing that assignment without marking and the student will be reported to the CQU Academic Misconduct team for further actions.

The class test will be arranged in lieu of one of the class sessions in week 12. The class test duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes and is closed-book. The complementary information about the class test will be provided on the unit website.

No Assessment Criteria