Unsaturated Soil Mechanics and Expansive Soils

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
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Area/Catalogue
ENGC X411
Course ID icon
Course ID
208420
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Campus
Adelaide City Campus East, Mawson Lakes
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
Civil Engineering
Course level icon
Course level
4
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

The course aims to master the complexities of soil behaviour and foundation design, encompassing expansive soils, problematic soil treatments, and unsaturated soil mechanics.

Course learning outcomes

  • Develop the body of knowledge on expansive soil by research, reflect on and critically evaluate standards, notes and scholarly articles
  • Classify expansive soil sites (estimate soil reactivity) using the visual-tactile method and laboratory testing
  • Critically review the design philosophy for shallow footings on such sites and design using state-of-the-art tools
  • Design of footing and pavement on expansive soils
  • Evaluate effective stresses using unsaturated soil mechanics theory

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A