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Programme: BEngHons Geotechnical Engineering

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.

Code	Faculty	Department
12240215	Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology	Department: Civil Engineering

Credits	Duration	NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 1 year	Total credits: 128	NQF level: 08

Programme information
Curriculum: Final year

Programme information

Refer also to G16-G29.

The curriculum is determined in consultation with the relevant heads of departments. A student is required to pass modules to the value of at least 128 credits.

The degree is awarded on the basis of examinations only.

Admission requirements

BEng degree awarded by the University of Pretoria or relevant four-year bachelor’s degree in engineering that the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) regards as acceptable for registration as a candidate engineer and for eventual registration as a professional engineer
A weighted average of at least 60% for the final year of the BEng degree
An entrance examination may be required
Comprehensive intellectual CV

Examinations and pass requirements

Refer also to G18 and G26.

The examination in each module for which a student is registered, takes place during the normal examination period after the conclusion of lectures (i.e. October/November or May/June).
G18(1) applies with the understanding that under exceptional circumstances an extension of a maximum of three years may be approved: provided that the Dean, on reccommendation of the relevant head of department, may approve a stipulated limited extension of this period.
A student must obtain at least 50% in an examination for each module where no semester or year mark is required. A module may only be repeated once.
In modules where semester or year marks are awarded, a minimum examination mark of 40% and a final mark of 50% is required.
No supplementary or special examinations are granted at postgraduate level.

Pass with distinction

A student passes with distinction if he or she obtains a weighted average of at least 75% (not rounded) in the first 128 credits for which he or she has registered (excluding modules which were discontinued timeously). The degree is not awarded with distinction if a student fails any one module (excluding modules which were discontinued timeously). The degree must be completed within the prescribed study period.

Minimum credits: 128

Core modules

SGS 787

Analytical soil mechanics 787

Credits: 24.00

Module content:
A research term paper will be prepared.
Solution of confined and unconfined seepage problems using the methods of fragments, finite differences and finite elements. Numerical solutions of consolidation problems and secondary compression. Slope stability analysis methods. The point estimate method. Monte Carlo simulation.

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SGS 788

Theoretical soil mechanics 788

Credits: 24.00

Module content:
A research term paper will be prepared.
Introduction to critical state soil mechanics. Stress and strain invariants. Stress paths. State boundary surfaces including Roscoe and Hvorslev surfaces. Cam clay model. Application of geotechnical constitutive models in finite element analysis.

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SGS 789

Specialised geotechnical testing 789

Credits: 24.00

Module content:
A research term paper will be prepared.
Test procedures and interpretation of; Standard Penetration Test (SPT), Cone Penetration Test (CPT), Piezocone (CPTU) and seismic methods. Theory, application and interpretation of advanced geotechnical laboratory tests. Laboratory Instrumentation and calibration. Stress and strain conditions for laboratory tests. Triaxial stress space, stress paths. Triaxial tests, direct shear tests, oedometer test and Rowe cell test.

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SSC 780

Civil research 780

Credits: 32.00

Module content:
*This is a compulsory module.
The course will require all honours students to conduct research in an appropriate field of civil engineering, linked to the main discipline in which the student specializes for their honours degree.

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Elective modules

SHC 798

Applied statistical methods and optimisation 798

Credits: 24.00

Module content:
A research term paper will be prepared.
The course will apply some of the basics theories and methodologies in statistics and operations research to solve common civil engineering problems. The course seeks to demonstrate the use and application in the civil engineering field. Each of the applications seeks to determine how best to design and operate a system, usually under conditions requiring the allocation of scarce resources. Emphasis will be on the applications of these methods in common civil engineering practice. Some of the applications will include; optimum network design, maximum flow problem, project scheduling, queuing theory, probabilistic analysis, Markov chain applications, etc.

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SIK 790

Numerical methods and finite element applications for Civil Engineers 790

Credits: 24.00

Module content:
In the first part of this course, numerical procedures and some underlying theory for solving systems of equations, eigenvalue problems, integration, approximation and boundary value problems will be discussed. The second part of the course covers general finite element theory, discretization aspects related to geometry, nodes and numbering, element type and shape, interpolation functions, formulation of element characteristic matrices and vectors for elasticity problems, assembly and solution of the finite element equations, modelling procedures and results processing. The student will use Finite Element software to apply the theory that was covered in the course for solving typical Civil Engineering problems.

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General Academic Regulations and Student Rules

The General Academic Regulations (G Regulations) and General Student Rules apply to all faculties and registered students of the University, as well as all prospective students who have accepted an offer of a place at the University of Pretoria. On registering for a programme, the student bears the responsibility of ensuring that they familiarise themselves with the General Academic Regulations applicable to their registration, as well as the relevant faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the relevant yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression, or basis for an exception to any of the aforementioned regulations. The G Regulations are updated annually and may be amended after the publication of this information.

Regulations, degree requirements and information

The faculty regulations, information on and requirements for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information.

University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project

The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQSF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.

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