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Geotechnical Engineering 1
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ENGRG2102 - Geotechnical Engineering 1
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20250200
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Course
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2.1
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2026-06-16
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2026-06-16
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Engineering
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Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
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Engineering
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Undergraduate
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15
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.125
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030900
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Civil Engineering
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<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/engrg2102">030900 - Civil Engineering</a>
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Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
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7
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Bachelor Degree
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Intermediate
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1
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<p>Geotechnical Engineering 1 primarily delves into soil mechanics, addressing the essential elements of soil mechanical behavior, including composition, classification, compaction, permeability, settlement and shear strength. Beyond gaining a comprehensive understanding of the mechanical properties of soils and their relevance to various civil engineering projects, this unit equips students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to design safe, resilient and sustainable geo-structures in their future geotechnical engineering units.</p>
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<p>Topics may include:<br>
1. Geological Processes and Soil Formation<br>
2. Soil Classification for Engineering Purposes<br>
3. Soil as a Three-Phase System — Phase Relationships<br>
4. Ground Improvement and Soil Compaction<br>
5. Stresses and Strains in Soils, and the Effective Stress Concept<br>
6. Permeability of Soils<br>
7. Compressibility and Settlement of Soils<br>
8. Shear Strength of Soils</p>
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<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
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2026
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ENGRG2102 - Geotechnical Engineering 1
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ENGRG2102 - Geotechnical Engineering 1
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Semester
Semester 1
Semester 2
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Year
2026
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Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
FedTASK
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>Geotechnical Engineering 1 primarily delves into soil mechanics, addressing the essential elements of soil mechanical behavior, including composition, classification, compaction, permeability, settlement and shear strength. Beyond gaining a comprehensive understanding of the mechanical properties of soils and their relevance to various civil engineering projects, this unit equips students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to design safe, resilient and sustainable geo-structures in their future geotechnical engineering units.</p>
Unit content
<p>Topics may include:<br> 1. Geological Processes and Soil Formation<br> 2. Soil Classification for Engineering Purposes<br> 3. Soil as a Three-Phase System — Phase Relationships<br> 4. Ground Improvement and Soil Compaction<br> 5. Stresses and Strains in Soils, and the Effective Stress Concept<br> 6. Permeability of Soils<br> 7. Compressibility and Settlement of Soils<br> 8. Shear Strength of Soils</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
Discipline:
Engineering
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/engrg2102">030900 - Civil Engineering</a>
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 2</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p><p>On-line Learning (Online)</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Requisites
Prerequisite
<p>must have completed "<a href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/course?p6_code=ENGRG1002" target="_blank">ENGRG1002</a>"</p>
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
<p>must not have completed "ENGIN2204"</p>
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
<p>On successful completion of this unit, students are expected to gain the following [K]nowledge, [S]kills and [A]pplication of knowledge & skills</p>
Learning Outcomes
Ref
Outcome
K1
<p>Recognize the importance of geotechnical engineering in the broader civil engineering discipline</p>
K2
<p>Recognize the fundamental principles of soil mechanics</p>
K3
<p>Explain soil compaction and ground improvement techniques</p>
K4
<p>Explain soil compressibility and shear strength</p>
S1
<p>Classify and examine soils for various civil engineering applications</p>
S2
<p>Explain the effective stress concept and its influence on soil behavior</p>
S3
<p>Interpret laboratory data to determine soil physical and mechanical properties</p>
A1
<p>Solve a range of geotechnical problems involving water flow, soil settlement/consolidation and soil strength</p>
A2
<p>Measure basic soil properties in the laboratory for soil classification purposes</p>
A3
<p>Produce reports of geotechnical designs and laboratory test results at a professional standard</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
Ref
Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>(A) Participation in all learning activities, including attendance and participation in lectures and tutorials, exercises, recommended and supplementary readings, and/or other activities. (B) Undertake problem-solving of engineering problems relevant to geotechnical engineering in both invigilated and non-invigilated settings.</p>
<p>Assessed Tutorials; Quizzes; Assignments; Tests</p>
<p>40% - 60%</p>
K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, S2, A1, A2
2
<p>Relates fundamental knowledge of geotechnical engineering (specifically soil mechanics) to observations in a controlled environment and/or to solve design-based problems.</p>
<p>Reports; Presentation</p>
<p>10% - 30%</p>
K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, A1
3
<p>Undertake an experiment relevant to soil mechanics.</p>
<p>Laboratory Report</p>
<p>10% - 30%</p>
K4, S3, A2, A3
Supplementary assessment available:
Yes
Supplimentary assessment information:
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
FedTASK
FedTASK
<p>Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FedTASKs (<strong>T</strong>ransferable <strong>A</strong>ttributes <strong>S</strong>kills and <strong>K</strong>nowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key, transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and co-operative learning opportunities.</p>
FedTASK
Description of FedTASK outcome
Level
FedTASK 1: Interpersonal
The ability to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 2: Leadership
The ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others.
<p>Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor</p>
FedTASK 3: Critical Thinking and Creativity
The ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using imagination to create new ideas.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 4: Digital Literacy
The ability to work fluently across a range of tools and applications to achieve a range of skills.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 5: Sustainable and Ethical Mindset
The ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions.
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
Discipline:
Engineering
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/engrg2102">030900 - Civil Engineering</a>
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 2</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p><p>On-line Learning (Online)</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Disclaimer
<em>Information in the Federation Handbook is correct at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to alter any course, unit, procedure or fee.</em>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: ENGRG2102 - U2.1