CIVIL 700 : Geotechnical Analysis

Engineering

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Shear strength of soil – triaxial testing, measurement of pore water pressures, and interpretation of test data for use in analysis. Introduction to numerical modelling in geotechnical engineering. The use of traditional methods versus numerical modelling in design.

Course Overview

This course is an introduction to numerical modeling in geotechnical engineering. It will provide an understanding of analytical and numerical methods used in solving geotechnical problems. Soil constitutive models which are essential part of any numerical modeling are described and appropriate laboratory and/or field tests which are required to derive the necessary model parameters are provided. Basic knowledge of finite difference and finite element methods are described. The core taught skills will enable students to use available programs ( GeoStudio or/ Plaxis 2D software) to construct and solve standard boundary value problems (seepage analysis, analysis of consolidation; stress analysis, flow and deformation analysis, liquefaction) in geotechnical engineering. 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: CIVIL 300 Restriction: CIVIL 324

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of numerical analysis in geotechnical design (Capability 3.1 and 4.1)
  2. Explain different soil constitutive models and be able to select an appropriate soil model for a given geotechnical analysis (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 4.2)
  3. Evaluate appropriate values for the parameters of the selected constitutive model, and appreciate the sensitivity of the results to the selected parameter values (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
  4. Apply analysis skills, including both manual computation and computer-based methods (Plaxis 2D and GeoStudio software) (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 6.1)
  5. Use computer-based methods (Plaxis 2D and GeoStudio software) for the purpose of solving standard boundary value problems (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 8.1 and 8.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignment 30% Individual Coursework
Project 50% Group Coursework
Project Interview 20% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Assignment
Project
Project Interview

Students must participate in the project interview to pass the course.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures, 1 hour of tutorial, 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 3 hours of work on projects and assignments per week.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Lectures will be available as recordings. 
The course will not include live online events including group discussions/tutorials.
Attendance on campus is required for the guest lectures.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning 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.

There is no set textbook but references will be given for additional background reading, reference and self-study. 

Lecture slides will be uploaded to Canvas.

Health & Safety

Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.


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.

All student feedback is used to develop and evolve the content and structure of the course.

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 for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, 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 course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, 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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.