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Properties and behaviour of rocks. Formation, properties and classification of soils. Strength and stiffness of soils. Applications to slopes, retaining walls, and site characterisation.
This course provides an introduction to the subject of soil mechanics, which is the basis for the use of soils as an engineering material in geotechnical engineering. In particular, this course covers the characterisation of soil for engineering purposes, the compression of soil, strength under drained conditions, the influence of groundwater, and the geologic origin of soils.
At the conclusion of this course you should be able to:1 Interpret data and measurements from standard lab tests for the purpose of soil characterisation and classification (Washington Accord WA1), (UC EIE, GA2).2 Calculate total and effective stresses for one-dimensional soil profiles. (Washington Accord WA1), (UC EIE3).3 Estimate model parameters for the one-dimensional compression of soils, and apply the models to estimate settlements due to changes in soil loading. (Washington Accord (WA1, WA5), (UC EIE3)4. Describe the shear stress–shear strain behaviour of soils under drained conditions, and estimate the drained shear strength for different soil states. (EIE1, EIE3, EIE5, WA1)5. Apply analytical methods to the flow of water through the ground to calculate flow rates, heads and pore pressures for two dimensional flow. (Washington Accord WA1, WA5), (UC EIE3)6. Describe the geological and geomorphological processes responsible for the formation of soils, and apply this knowledge to develop a ground model. (Washington Accord WA1, WA2), (UC EIE3, EIE5, GA2)
Subject to approval of the Dean of Engineering and Forestry
ENCI252, ENCI271
Students must attend one activity from each section.
Robin Lee
Gabriele Chiaro and Katherine Yates
Siale Faitotonu
1. To pass this course, you must achieve at least 40% in the final examination.2. All assignments should be completed individually.3. Laboratory reports are due by 9pm, 1 week following the laboratory for Lab A and 2 weeks following the laboratory for Lab B.4. Late submissions will attract a penalty of 10% per day. Please contact the lecturer as soon as possible if you will be unable to submit an assignment by the deadline due to extraordinary personal circumstances or illness. 5. Completed assignments and laboratory reports should be submitted electronically through the LEARN site. Please pay attention to any naming conventions requested by the lecturer or noted on the submission page (especially in the case of group laboratory reports).6. All submissions should contain your name and student number on the front page.Special Considerations Any student who has been impaired by significant exceptional and/or unforeseeable circumstances that have prevented them from completing any major assessment items, or that have impaired their performance such that the results are not representative of their true level of mastery of the course material, may apply for special consideration through the formal university process. The applicability and academic remedy/action associated with the special consideration process is listed for each assessment item below. Please refer to the University Special Consideration Regulations and Special Consideration Policies and Procedures documents for more information on the acceptable grounds for special consideration and the application process. Special Consideration for AssignmentsAn extension will be granted for evidence-supported requests. Extensions will typically be for up to one week, but the duration will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students seeking an extension must contact the relevant lecturer (or course coordinator) as soon as possible with evidence of their situation, and preferably before the due date.Special Consideration for LaboratoriesStudents who are unable to physically attend the laboratories will be permitted to complete a virtual laboratory exercise. The virtual laboratory exercises should typically be completed within one week, but the duration will be considered on a case-by-case basis.Special Consideration for Final ExamStudents will be offered an equivalent alternative exam that will replace their original exam mark. This is only available to students who have an approved special consideration application for this assessment at an appropriate severity level. The alternative exam will be held on-campus in the week of 25 November 2024. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are available for these dates if you want to benefit from the academic remedy for your special consideration.Note: All communication associated with the arrangement of equivalent alternative assessments will be conducted using official UC email accounts. The offer to sit an alternative assessment will come with a date/time during the resit week. Students will have a clearly specified amount of time to respond to the offer. Failure to respond will be interpreted as a declined offer. If a student has applied for special consideration but the application has not yet been approved when arrangements are being made for the alternative assessment, they may be permitted to sit the alternative assessment, but the mark will only be applied if the application is approved by the special consideration committee at an appropriate severity level.
Tony Waltham; Foundations of Engineering Geology ; 3rd Edition; Spon Press, 2009.
William Powrie; Soil Mechanics: Concepts and Applications, 3rd Edition. CRC Press ; 3rd; CRC Press, 2014.
CNRE recognizes that generative AI is a fast-evolving technology with capabilities that are likely to disrupt both professional engineering practice and engineering education.“AI will not replace engineers. However, engineers that are proficient with AI will replace engineers that are not.” Due to its unique capabilities, generative AI has the potential to improve engineering practice and education. It should therefore be adopted by engineering educators and practitioners to the extent practicable.However, CNRE also recognizes the potential for generative AI to be misused during engineering practice and education. Therefore, it must be used carefully with proper identification and mitigation of risks.In consideration of these issues, CNRE does not prohibit the use of generative AI. Instead, it endorses a responsible use of the technology that accords with the specific practices described in this policy.
If hard copies of the assignments are requested by the lecturer, they should be submitted to the drop box marked "ENCN 253" located on the ground floor of the Engineering CORE building. If the lecturer requests an electronic submission, then assignments should be submitted through the LEARN website. In the case of electronic submission, students must follow the naming convention and file format specified by the lecturer.Official departmental coversheets should be used for all submissions. Assignments submitted without a coversheet will receive a mark of zero.
Domestic fee $1,059.00
International fee $6,000.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Civil and Natural Resources Engineering .