Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

Click on an offering mode for more details.

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Unit Overview

Description

This unit covers the geotechnical engineering knowledge required to support the design, installation and maintenance of renewable energy and oil and gas developments. It covers the geological setting and geotechnical properties of seabed sediments in regions of offshore energy generation;

geohazards in offshore environments; offshore site investigation techniques and methods of sediment characterisation; considerations and analytical techniques for the design of shallow and deep foundations, and anchoring systems and cables/pipelines.

Credit
6 points
Offering
AvailabilityLocationMode
Not available in 2025UWA (Perth)Face to face
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) describe typical seabed conditions in an Australian and global context; (2) demonstrate an appreciation of geohazards associated with engineering in an offshore environment; (3) describe the form and function of the range of site investigation equipment, foundation and anchoring systems for offshore facilities and ancillary subsea structures; (4) apply analysis techniques for site investigation interpretation, the design of a range of foundation and anchoring systems for offshore facilities and ancillary subsea structures; and (5) carry out engineering calculations correctly, write professional reports and make professional presentations.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) quizzes; (2) assignments; and (3) a final examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Associate Professor Britta Bienen
Unit rules
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
62550 Master of Professional Engineering (Civil Engineering specialisation)
and Successful completion of
CIVL4401 Applied Geomechanics

or
Enrolment in
62570 Master of Offshore and Coastal Engineering
and Successful completion of
CIVL4401 Applied Geomechanics

or
Enrolment in
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) or an associated Combined Degree and a WAM of at least 50
and Successful completion of
( 120 points
and GENG2004 Solid Mechanics and ( GENG2003 Fluid Mechanics
or GENG2010 Principles of Hydraulics
) )
Contact hours
56 hours
Text

Randolph, M. F. and Gourvenec, S. Offshore Geotechnical Engineering: Spon Press 2011

  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.

Face to face

Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.

Online flexible

100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.

Online timetabled

100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.

Online Restricted

Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.

NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.

External

No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.

Off-campus

Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.

Multi-mode

Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.