By the end of the semester, students should be able to DO …

 Conduct a basic topographic survey of a site

 Evaluate the soil and geology of the site as it impacts the intended development
 Select the appropriate geo-environmental technical tools for site investigations
 Evaluate the relationships of a site and its intended changes with its neighbours
 Estimate critical design parameters
 Identify, assess and document the risk arising from natural disasters
 Examine planning requirements
 Write reports to communicate key aspects of the character of a site, including borehole
loggings

Assumed knowledge

I assume that students know/can do these things:

 Fundamental soil characteristics including soil types, soil classification and water in soils,
 Basic understanding of stress, principle of effective stresses in soils, and fluid flow analyses,
 Basic understanding of soil strength (including Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria), stiffness and
hydraulic conductivity,
 Experience in running commercial computer programs, including word processors,
spreadsheets and drawing tools.
 Skills in writing basic technical reports.

Most of this assumed knowledge was acquired by successfully completing 421-209 Geomechanics
OR ENEN20002 Earth processes for engineers or equivalent subjects.
CVEN90044 Engineering Site Characterisation

Contact hours (total ~56 hrs)

 36 hrs lectures
 8 hrs Tutorials/Lab testing/Computer Labs
 12 hrs field practical (+ 3hrs self guided)

Credit points (undergraduate/postgraduate)

 12.5

Assessment

 Individual and group Assignments and Reports (50% weighting)

 3 hrs final exam (50% weighting)
 Attendance to at least 3 field practicals (hurdle requirement)
 The average of all assessment throughout the semester must be 50% or more, the final exam
mark must be 50% or more to pass the subject (hurdle requirement)

Assessment details and weighting

Assignments
4 ‘short’ assignments (LMS) 5% each

Reports
#1, individual, <500 words (PC – self explained) Use PC lab to evacuate doubts 5%
#2, group, <1000 words (field trip – 3hrs self guided, due W4) Budget your time! 8%
#3, group, <1000 words (3hrs Geophysics + 3hrs DCP-VST-Auger field works) 9%
#4, group, <1000 words (3hrs Levelling) 8%

Exam
3 hrs final exam 50%

Extra credit
Additional credit can be earned by participating in class, additional activities, etc.
These are announced from time to time during lectures, tutorials or fieldwork.