CIVIL 220 : Introductory Engineering Geology

Engineering

2021 Semester Two (1215) (10 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Principles of physical and structural geology. Elementary stratigraphy. Applied geomorphology. Geologic surveying and mapping. Elementary seismology; microzoning and seismotectonic hazard evaluation. Engineering properties, description and identification of geologic materials. General applications of geology to engineering.

Course Overview

The course aims to provide an introduction to the geotechnical significance of earth materials, rock defects, structural geology, geomorphology, hydrogeology, active tectonics, earthquakes, volcanism, erosion and mass movement in civil engineering practice.
Students are introduced to simple, practical techniques for the examination of earth materials and are given an introduction to defects and sub-surface geometry.
The qualitative nature of geology and its relevance to geotechnical models is presented as a pre-requisite to quantification, numerical analysis and engineering design.
Students are introduced to relevant engineering geological terminology, techniques, classifications and concepts with the aim of ensuring effective communication between engineers and engineering geologists in the geotechnical team.

This course is only offered to students in special situations due to the curriculum transition, and accordingly, the details are subject to change.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand and describe common igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, explain how these rocks are formed, and understand how this relates to their engineering geological behaviour. (Capability 1.1 and 2.2)
  2. Demonstrate proficiency related to tectonics, to explain the different types of tectonic setting, and understand the relationship between tectonic setting, rock type, rock deformation and geological hazard. (Capability 1.1, 2.1 and 6.2)
  3. Explain and communicate the methods of fine-grained soil classification and apply those methods practically. In addition, students will explain the relevance of Atterberg limits in geotechnical engineering. (Capability 1.1 and 2.2)
  4. Explain and communicate methods of coarse-grained soil classification and apply the methods in an engineering context. (Capability 1.1 and 2.2)
  5. Explain the differences between residual and sedimentary soils, understand weathering processes, and apply this knowledge to explain the engineering performance of weathered materials. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2 and 4.1)
  6. Recognise and describe tectonic settings and the generation of earthquakes, explain earthquake mechanisms and earthquake waves, apply this to the response behavior of geological materials, and relate this to the response of structures to earthquakes. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.2 and 6.2)
  7. Understand the relationship between tectonic and volcanic setting, volcano types and geological hazard, and apply this knowledge in an engineering context. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1 and 6.1)
  8. Demonstrate proficiency related to landslides by being able to classify and describe landslides and apply this knowledge to engineering landslide mitigation measures. (Capability 1.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.2 and 6.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Labs and Reports 30% Individual Coursework
Test 15% Individual Test
Final Exam 55% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Labs and Reports
Test
Final Exam

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 10 point course and students are expected to spend 7 hours per week over 12 weeks in each 10 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 24 hours of lectures, 26 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 50 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including labs will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is required for the test/exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Health & Safety

Necessary information will be provided by the MDLS.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.