Live Workshop
Earthworks
Geotechnical Fundamentals
Understand geotechnical reports, soil behaviour and earthworks testing so you can make better-informed civil design and construction decisions.
About
Geotechnical information influences many of the decisions made during civil earthworks, from understanding existing ground conditions to determining whether excavated or imported materials are suitable for use and whether completed earthworks meet the specified requirements.
This practical workshop is designed to help civil engineers, designers and technical reviewers understand and interpret the geotechnical information commonly encountered throughout an earthworks project.
Participants will learn how to interpret relevant sections of geotechnical investigation reports, recognise soil and ground conditions that may affect civil works, understand common soil and material properties, and interpret typical laboratory and construction test results.
The workshop covers practical concepts including soil classification, particle size distribution, plasticity, CBR, moisture-density relationships, maximum dry density, optimum moisture content, field density and compaction. Participants will also consider how these results are used when assessing material suitability against nominated project requirements, including requirements for materials such as Common Fill or Select Fill.
The course follows the earthworks lifecycle from the initial geotechnical investigation through design, material assessment, construction testing and final review, with reference to AS 1726 Geotechnical site investigations and AS 3798 Guidelines on earthworks for commercial and residential developments.
Sound familiar?
What does the geotechnical report actually mean for my earthworks design?
What should I be checking when specifying fill, compaction and earthworks testing requirements?
How do I recognise geotechnical risks early enough to avoid redesign, construction issues or unexpected cost?
These are common questions we work through during the workshop.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
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Explain how geotechnical information supports civil earthworks decisions from initial investigation through construction.
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Interpret the relevant scope, findings, recommendations and limitations of a geotechnical report.
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Recognise common soil and ground conditions that may affect earthworks, including existing fill, weak soils, reactive soils, groundwater and shallow rock.
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Interpret common soil and material properties including particle size distribution, plasticity, linear shrinkage, CBR and swell.
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Explain maximum dry density, optimum moisture content, field density and relative compaction and how they relate to earthworks construction.
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Assess material test results against nominated project requirements for their intended earthworks use.
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Interpret common construction-stage information including field density, DCP, test rolling and plate bearing results at a practical civil engineering level.
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Identify when available geotechnical information supports a civil engineering decision and when further clarification or specialist geotechnical advice is required.
Agenda
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Geotechnical Information and the Earthworks Lifecycle
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Soil and Rock Fundamentals
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Understanding the Initial Geotechnical Investigation
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Turning Geotechnical Findings into Earthworks Requirements
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Material Suitability and Construction Testing
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Identify key ground and earthworks risks
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Assess proposed fill material
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Review construction test results
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Determine whether nominated requirements appear to have been achieved
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Identify where further clarification or specialist geotechnical advice is required
Recommended Prior Knowledge
This workshop is suitable for graduate to intermediate civil engineers, civil designers, transport engineers, development engineers, council engineers, council officers, development assessment professionals and other engineering practitioners involved in the design, assessment, documentation or review of civil earthworks.
Participants should have:
A basic understanding of civil engineering and earthworks
Familiarity with civil drawings, technical reports and specifications
Basic engineering maths and dimensional interpretation skills
Previous geotechnical engineering experience is not required.
Workshop Facilitator
Sean Quilty
MIEAust CPEng NER RPEQ MEngPrac BEngTech
Sean is a civil engineer and educator with more than 20 years of industry experience across civil infrastructure, land development, stormwater management, road design, mining and multidisciplinary project delivery. Sean has more than 10 years of teaching experience and has trained engineers, designers and technical professionals across Australia.
Sean’s teaching focuses on practical application, first-principles understanding and engineering judgement, helping participants build capability they can apply directly to real projects.
Register for this Workshop
Complete the form below to register yourself or multiple participants for this workshop. An invoice will be issued by email, and places will be confirmed once payment is received.