RSE3010 Mine geotechnical engineering
Faculty of Engineering
RSE3010 Mine geotechnical engineering is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It needs ENG2005.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 2 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before RSE3010
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After RSE3010
No unit lists RSE3010 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Overview
This unit provides you with an overview of the principles and practical application of rock mechanics to excavation design and design implementation (construction management). This includes; behaviour of intact rock and rock mass, in-situ stress and measurement, rock mass classification schemes, the time-dependent and dynamic behaviour of rock, ground support and reinforcement, geotechnical instrumentation and empirical excavation techniques.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Weekly quizzesQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle5%
- AssignmentsProjectThreshold hurdle45%
- Final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle50%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Apply rock mass classification schemes and laboratory derived properties to address field scale problems relating to rock excavations.
- 2
Apply rock mechanics design methods and appreciate their limitations.
- 3
Formulate geotechnical instrumentation and Trigger Action Response Plans.
- 4
Analyse monitoring results and provide engineering recommendations.
- 5
Appreciate the risk and uncertainty associated with rock mechanics decision-making.
Workload and teaching
- Practical activities24 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachCase-based teaching
- Teaching approachIndustry-based learning
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
Suburban Rail Loop Tunnel as the use case.
Industry-demanded technical skills will be trained by introducing multiple analytical and numerical tools. Global and national infrastructure and resources engineering projects will be utilised as case studies.
Slope and underground engineering problems
This unit is delivered in a flipped-learning mode, in which the content is supplied prior to the lecture through online videos. The lecture is then an active session in which the learning for the week is consolidated further by application to problem-solving. Throughout the unit, weekly practice classes are used to focus on mastering basic concepts and problem-solving skills. Consolidation of the theory is then assessed through weekly quizzes and assignments. This all forms the basis for team-based projects where you apply your learning to practical applications while also improving your teamwork and report-writing skills.
Learning resources
Technology resources
Rocscience Software Suite (on MoVE platform or on laboratory computers or can be downloaded on your Windows-system computer)
Where it fits
RSE3010 is part of 2 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Associate Professor Qianbing Zhang
- Chief Examiners
- Associate Professor Qianbing Zhang
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for RSE3010?
You need ENG2005 before you enrol.
When is RSE3010 offered?
In 2026, RSE3010 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
How much work is RSE3010?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does RSE3010 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include RSE3010?
RSE3010 is part of Civil engineering and Mining engineering.