Skip to Main Content
Catalogue Link
<a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/home" class="t-Header-logo-link"><span class="apex-logo-text">Handbook</span></a>
Hidden Page Items
New
8
New
HE Unit Template
New
Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering
New
ENGIN2204 - Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering
New
20240200
New
New
New
New
Course
New
Unit
New
New
1.2
New
New
2026-09-10
New
2026-09-10
New
Engineering
New
New
New
New
Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
New
Engineering
New
Undergraduate
New
15
New
New
.125
New
030911
New
Geotechnical Engineering
New
030911 - Geotechnical Engineering
New
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/engin2204">View unit fees</a>
New
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
New
7
New
Bachelor Degree
New
New
New
New
New
1
New
New
New
New
New
false
New
New
New
<p>All aspects of geoengineering are considered at an elementary level, as well as basic engineering geology, formation and weathering processes, sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks, the geotechnical spectrum - soil, rock, weathering, deposition cycle, basic soil and rock properties, void ratio, water content, for example, and the two phase model. All materials are assumed to be granular and frictional. The course includes the soil description and geological mapping, rock mass classification, soil classification and phase relationships, stress and strain in soils, stress paths, shear failure of soils and analysis and design of shallow foundation. A clear emphasis on sustainable design will be made.</p>
New
New
<p>•Geological Processes and Geological Mapping<br>
•Soil Classification for Engineering Purposes<br>
•Soil as a Three-Phase System — Phase Relationships<br>
•Ground Improvement and Soil Compaction<br>
•Stresses and Strains in Soils<br>
•Permeability of Soils<br>
•Shear Strength of Soils<br>
•Compressibility and Settlement of Soils<br>
•Lateral Earth Pressures</p>
New
true
New
<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>
New
true
Hidden Page Items
Semester
Semester
0200
Year
Year
2027
Current Year
2026
Breadcrumb Positioning
Handbook
ENGIN2204 - Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering
Pseudo Breadcrumb
ENGIN2204 - Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering
Breadcrumb Type
Unit
Catalogue Term and Year
Version Text
You are viewing a version for
Semester
Semester 1
Semester 2
Summer Semester
Year
2027
2026
Download PDF
RDS Holder
Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
FedTASK
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>All aspects of geoengineering are considered at an elementary level, as well as basic engineering geology, formation and weathering processes, sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks, the geotechnical spectrum - soil, rock, weathering, deposition cycle, basic soil and rock properties, void ratio, water content, for example, and the two phase model. All materials are assumed to be granular and frictional. The course includes the soil description and geological mapping, rock mass classification, soil classification and phase relationships, stress and strain in soils, stress paths, shear failure of soils and analysis and design of shallow foundation. A clear emphasis on sustainable design will be made.</p>
Unit content
<p>•Geological Processes and Geological Mapping<br> •Soil Classification for Engineering Purposes<br> •Soil as a Three-Phase System — Phase Relationships<br> •Ground Improvement and Soil Compaction<br> •Stresses and Strains in Soils<br> •Permeability of Soils<br> •Shear Strength of Soils<br> •Compressibility and Settlement of Soils<br> •Lateral Earth Pressures</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
Discipline:
Engineering
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
030911 - Geotechnical Engineering
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/engin2204">View unit fees</a>
Requisites
Prerequisite
<p>must have completed "<a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/course?p6_code=ENGIN2301" target="_blank">ENGIN2301</a>"</p>
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
None
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>Identify and Explain various geological features and their effects on geotechnical engineering systems</p>
K3
<p>Recognize the fundamental principles of soil mechanics</p>
K4
<p>Explain soil compaction and ground improvement techniques</p>
K5
<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>Analyze and Design basic earth retaining structures</p>
S4
<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>Case studies, Laboratory and Field information/ reports based work</p>
<p>Analysis/ evaluation Reports</p>
<p>10 - 20%</p>
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3
2
<p>Stress distribution in soils, soil strength and compressibility analysis, bearing capacity of foundations</p>
<p>Written assignment</p>
<p>25 - 45%</p>
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2, A3
3
<p>All the topics covered in the course will be accessible.</p>
<p>Mid semester and/or End of semester Test(s)</p>
<p>40 - 60%</p>
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2, A3
Supplementary assessment available:
Yes
Supplementary 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
Description of FedTASK outcome
Level
FedTASK 1: Interpersonal
The ability to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups.
FedTASK 2: Leadership
The ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others.
FedTASK 3: Critical Thinking and Creativity
The ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using imagination to create new ideas.
FedTASK 4: Digital Literacy
The ability to work fluently across a range of tools and applications to achieve a range of skills.
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.
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>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
Discipline:
Engineering
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
030911 - Geotechnical Engineering
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/engin2204">View unit fees</a>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: ENGIN2204 - U1.2