CIVL4170-2025-S1-Week01-Lecture 1 Course Introduction - lecture slides

CIVL4170: Risk Analysis in Civil Engineering

Course Introduction

• Lecturers:

  • A/Prof. Ilje Pikaar (Course Coordinator)

  • Prof. William Clarke

  • Guest Lecturers: A/Prof. Matthew Mason, Dr. Chenming Zhang

  • Tutors: Ms. Sumedha Koul, Ms. Tien Nguyen, Ms. Achini Ranasinghe

• Lecture Schedule & Learning Materials

  • 1 Lecture (2 x 50 min blocks) weekly on Wednesdays

  • Tutorials: 1 tutorial (2 x 50 min blocks) weekly after lectures

  • Reading materials and recorded lectures available via Blackboard.

• Assessment Items:

  • Group projects, quizzes, individual assignments, and final examination

• Course Objectives:

  • Understand risk management principles in civil engineering.

Changes Made to the Course

• Adjustments based on student feedback and course evaluation.

• Increase in group project time in tutorials and later due dates for project submissions.

Importance of CIVL4170 for Civil Engineering Students

• Essential for understanding risk management in all engineering practices.

Teaching Team

• Primary Lecturers:

  • A/Prof. Ilje Pikaar

  • Prof. William Clarke

• Guest Lecturers:

  • A/Prof. Matthew Mason (University of Queensland)

  • Dr. Chenming Zhang (University of Queensland)

Contact Information

• Direct questions to A/Prof. Ilje Pikaar, include Prof. William Clarke in emails for quicker responses.

• Office hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

Course Schedule Overview

Week-by-Week Breakdown

1. Introduction to Risk in Civil Engineering

   • Course Learning Outcomes

   • Importance of Risk

   • Tutorials on Risk

2. The Fundamentals of Risk

   • Risk Management Process

3. Identify, Assess and Treat Risks

   • Developed risk register

   • Projects focus on establishing context.

4. Risk Analysis and Evaluation

   • Further development of risk register.

5. Bow Tie Analysis

   • Effective controls in projects.

6. Risk Acceptance Criteria

   • Exercises related to risk acceptance.

7. Environmental & Social Risks

   • Project focus: Bowtie and CAMS.

8. Humans and Risk

   • Continued project on Bowtie & CAMS.

9. Risk in Design

   • Guest Lecture on Wind Loading issues.

10. Online Quiz

    • Practice for final exam.

11. Geotechnical Properties Risks

12. Fire Risks in Design

13. Risk and Professional Practice

    • Revision before examinations.

Learning Materials

• Reading and lecture materials available via Blackboard.

• Lecture recordings and slides posted after each session to aid comprehension.

Assessment Details

1. Project Assignments:

   • Project 1A: Risk Register (15%)

   • Project 1B: Technical Memo and Bow Tie Analysis (15%)

   • Online Quiz (15%)

   • Individual Assignments: (10%) related to risk and design.

   • Final Examination: Covers all course materials (45%) with various question formats.

Course Description and Aim

• Risk Management Foundations:

  • Focus on safety, social, environmental, and financial risks.

  • Aimed at applying risk management in engineering practices.

Elements of Risk Management

• Operational Risks: WHS regulations

• Risk Identification, Assessment, Treatment: Learning to apply in real scenarios.

Changes to Course Structure

• Flexibility in group formations.

• Increased focus on individual assignments replacing some group work.

Significance of Risk Management in Engineering

• Engineers' involvement in human development through systematic risk assessment processes.

Legal Requirements in Risk Management

• Adherence to Qld WHS Act(2011) and the Environmental Protection Act(1994)

• Professional responsibilities outlined under Engineers Australia Code of Ethics.

Case Studies: Tailings Dam Failures

Samarco Tailings Dam Failure

• Major incidents highlighting the importance of risk assessment.

• Legal and financial repercussions for failing to manage risks.

General Takeaways

• Effective risk management to prevent severe consequences in engineering practices.

• Continuous learning and adherence to ethical standards and regulations are necessary for successful engineering careers.