CIVIL 722 : Slope Engineering

Engineering

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Slope failure mechanisms, geological controls and classification. Shear strength of rock and soil materials. Laboratory testing of earth materials for slope stability. Limit equilibrium techniques, including analytical, numerical and graphical methods. Effects of water and earthquake on slope stability. Slope monitoring, stabilisation and remediation. Landslide risk management.

Course Overview

PHILOSOPHY:
To have a general understanding of the mechanisms of slope processes, the main causative factors and some analysis skills.
The main thrust of the course is linking geological processes, mechanisms, strength and structure into the analysis of slopes. Slope stability software (SLOPE/W) and a review of case studies will be used to supplement learning.

COURSE OUTLINE:
  • Slope failure mechanisms, geological controls and classification, shear strength of rock and soil materials. Groundwater estimation of water pressure, perched and confined aquifers.  Laboratory testing of earth materials for slope stability.
  • Limit equilibrium techniques - planar, circular, non-linear, toppling and wedge.  Analytical, numerical and graphical methods - use of software.  Limitations of analytical methods.
  • Effects of water and earthquake on slope stability.
  • General methods of SI, geophysical, drilling and slope monitoring. Slope stabilisation and remediation.
  • Landslide risk management - probability of failure, hazard evaluation and risk management. Use of observational approach, rating systems and back analysis. 
Case studies and design projects will be used to promote the learning objectives.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: CIVIL 300 or 322 Restriction: CIVIL 422, ENVENG 324

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of of the basic mechanisms of slope failures (Capability 1.1, 3.1 and 4.1)
  2. Develop and demonstrate skills in defining the underlying mechanisms involved by building on the structural/geological interpretation learned from Introductory Engineering Geology. (Capability 1.1, 3.2 and 6.1)
  3. Use the concepts of shear strength and groundwater from CIVIL200 (Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering) and CIVIL300 (Geotechnical Engineering) and expand these to deal with more competent materials with structural discontinuities. (Capability 3.2 and 5.1)
  4. Develop analysis skills, including both manual computation and computer-based methods (GeoSuite software) (Capability 4.1 and 5.1)
  5. Understand and appreciate various remedial, monitoring and risk management techniques in relation to slopes. (Capability 4.2, 5.1 and 6.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Case study 20% Individual Coursework
Design Projects 25% Individual Coursework
Laboratory Report 5% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Case study
Design Projects
Laboratory Report
Final Exam

Students must sit the exam to pass the course. Otherwise, a DNS (did not sit) result will be returned.

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 30 hours of lectures, 6 hours of tutorials (including the use of software), 2 hours of laboratory exercise, 30 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 82 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation (total of 150 hrs).

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials MAY be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events, including group discussions/tutorials.
Attendance on campus is required for the case presentation (dependent on Covid Restrictions and University Policy).
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 in the course materials.  Lecture slides will be uploaded to Canvas.

Health & Safety

During the laboratory session, students must adhere to the H&S instructions provided by the lecturer/technician. Students are also 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.

Based on students' feedback, more in-person tutorials will be conducted so make sure you attend lectures on campus.

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.