HNC Civil Engineering Assignment 1 Geotechnics & Soil Mechanics Academic Year 24/25

Assignment Structure

1. Front Sheet

Include:

• College name
• Module/Unit title and code
• Assignment title
• Student name
• Lecturer name
• Submission date
• Word count (no limit)

2. Table of Contents

• Use automatic pagination (inserted via Word/Docs)
• List each section, sub-section, and the assessment criteria covered (e.g., P1, P2, M1, etc.).

Example:

1. Introduction – p.2
2. Task 1: Trigonometric Construction Problems (P1) – p.3
3. Task 2: Algebraic Construction Problems (P2) – p.5
4. Merit Task: Application of Matrices (M1) – p.8
5. Conclusion – p.10
6. References – p.11
7. Appendices – p.12

3. Main Body

• Organised per assessment criterion (P, M, D)
• Clear headings/subheadings
• Show all workings, explanations, and diagrams where needed
• Keep writing clear, concise, and to the point

4. Pagination

• Ensure pages are numbered in the footer (bottom right is standard)
• Title page should not be numbered, page 1 begins after contents page

5. Referencing

• Use Harvard Referencing style throughout (in-text citations + reference list at the end)
• Reference textbooks, journals, standards, and websites used
• Reference list in alphabetical order by author surname

Example:

• In-text: (Smith, 2022)
• Reference list: Smith, J. (2022) Engineering Mathematics. London: Pearson.

6. Appendices (if required)

• Detailed calculations, raw data, or diagrams not essential to the main body
• Label clearly (Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.)

Geotechnics & Soil Mechanics Academic Year 24/25

Assignment Title 1. Geotechnical Report

Submission Format

The submission is in the form of an individual written report. This should be
written in a concise, formal style. The selection of font face, font size and line
spacing are left to your discretion, but the report must be readable and clear.
You are required to make use of headings, paragraphs and subsections as
appropriate.
You are encouraged to use images, graphics, charts and other material to
support your work. Any material that is derived from other sources must be
suitably referenced using Harvard referencing.
Whilst there is no recommended word limit, you must keep in mind that being
clear and concise are key features of professional documents.

Unit Learning Outcomes

As a civil engineer with a large engineering firm, you have been
tasked with preparing a report based on survey and soil sampling for a
proposed construction project. The proposal is for a large infrastructure
project, in an area of mixed geological conditions. The survey, site
investigation and soil sampling were undertaken by a different firm; so, you
are relying on their data.
In preparing your report, you are asked to use industry standard language,
include references (as necessary) to ensure that your calculations, comments
and recommendations are supported by research and analysis. As your report
will also be used as technical information for the company it should be generic
and comprehensive. The section of your report relating specifically to the site
is intended to be read by the lead civil engineer for your company but will
also be available to the client. Therefore, you should be mindful of the
different audiences for your work.

Your generic report is expected to cover the following:

• Rock type formation and classification
• An analysis of the discontinuous nature of rock mass and the impact of
• weathering
• The use of rock and un-cemented sediments in civil engineering and
• building projects
• An evaluation of case studies that address problems caused by the
discontinuous nature of rock mass when tunnelling and constructing
bridges.
• A discussion on the description and classification of soils based on
particle size, specific gravity and plasticity indices, using current codes
of practice.
• A description of the processes and techniques used in soil sampling and
site investigation.
• An analyse of methods and techniques used in ground and site
investigation, and soil sampling.
• An assessment of the importance of site investigation, soil sampling and
determination of soil properties for infrastructure projects

LO1: Discuss rock types, their formation and uses in civil engineering and building
projects

P1 Explain rock type formation and classification.
M1 Analyse the use of rock and uncemented sediments in civil engineering and building projects.
D1 Evaluate case studies that address problems caused by the discontinuous nature of rock mass when tunnelling and constructing bridges.
P2 Analyse the discontinuous nature of rock mass and the impact of weathering

LO2 Explain the description and classification of soils using current codes of practice

P3 Discuss the description and classification of soils based on particle size, specific gravity and plasticity indices, using current codes of practice.
M2 Analyse methods and techniques used in ground and site investigation, and soil sampling.
D2 Assess the importance of site investigation, soil sampling and determination of soil properties for infrastructure projects.
P4 Describe the processes and techniques used in soil sampling and site investigation

Answer

Request Answer of this Assignment