Engineering Geology

Objectives

The course is designed primarily to enhance the practical engineering geological skills of geologists and engineering geologists. It focuses on applying geological field skills to solve engineering problems through hands-on field exercises and expert guidance.

Key skills developed

• Advanced engineering geological mapping
• Systematic description of geomaterials
• Rock defect identification, measurement, and kinematic stability analysis
• Terrain evaluation using GIS and aerial photographs
• 3D geological evaluation via structure contouring
• Understanding geological processes, their engineering implications, and project-based applications.
• Understanding the role of the engineering geologist in the investigation, design and construction of civil projects.
• How to effectively communicate ground conditions to other geotechnical professionals, designers and contractors involved in ground engineering.

Activities

Participants will engage in real-world field exercises, addressing topics such as:

• Coastal erosion and shoreline protection
• Dams, bridges, and underground caverns
• Construction material assessment and reserve estimation
• Landslides
• Terrain evaluation.

Who should attend

This course is tailored for geologists, engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers with a sound understanding of geological principals aiming to advance their engineering geology skills for civil and mining projects.

It has been refocused primarily to upskill geologists and engineering geologists with at least 5 years industry experience. While engineers and less-experienced geologists are welcome, they will be encouraged to complete AGS soil and rock logging and geotechnical mapping courses before attending.

Please contact Anthony Bowden to express your interest in this course and to discuss whether the Engineering Geology Course is suitable for you.

Phone: 0418 411 749
Email: [email protected]

Accreditation and Presenters

This course is approved by the Australian Geomechanics Society. The course is recognised by Engineers Australia as equivalent to 80 hours of CPD requirement.

Engineering geologists Phil Flentje, Mark Eggers, Anthony Bowden, Ian Shipway, and Tim Nash have developed and will present the course on behalf of the Australian Geomechanics Society. A teacher to participant ratio of 1 to 6, or better will be maintained throughout this course.

When and where

September 27 – October 4, 2025 at the University of Wollongong, and field sites on the south coast of New South Wales.

Numbers

Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Registration fee

The fee includes course notes and transport for field trips. All transport to and from Wollongong before and after the course, accommodation and meal costs are additional to these course fees.

Accommodation

Participants are responsible for booking accommodation during the course. Suggestions for suitable accommodation will be emailed to those registered.

Cancellation Policy

Fees will not be refundable if a participant is unable to attend. However, a nominated person may attend in their place. If at any time the course is cancelled, fees will be refunded in full.

Draft Engineering Geology Course Outline

DAY 1 – WOLLONGONG

Registration 12 pm

Lectures: Course introduction

Group dinner.

DAY 2 – WOLLONGONG

Field Trip: To develop and understanding of the Illawarra stratigraphy and to observe rockfall mitigation and management around Wollongong.

Field exercises: Developing engineering geological mapping skills in a coastal environment to support a coastal erosion and shoreline protection project.

DAY 3 – WOLLONGONG

Lectures: Surface processes, geohazards and risk management.

Workshop: Terrain evaluation using air photos to support rail and dam projects in fluvial, karstic and deeply weathered igneous terraine.

Workshop: Desk top study to support the development of an underground cavern in granitic rock. (Field assessment to be completed on day 5).

Workshop: Desk top study to support the development of landslide prone land. (Field assessment to be completed on day 7)

DAY 4 – WOLLONGONG – BATEMANS BAY

Field exercise: Engineering geological mapping and construction material assessment for a proposed dam site on the Shoalhaven River.

Field exercise: Geotechnical assessment of a bridge site on the Shoalhaven River.

DAY 5 – BATEMANS BAY

Field exercise: Engineering geological mapping of igneous and metamorphic headland sites and assessment of the most suitable conditions for a proposed underground cavern.

DAY 6 – BATEMANS BAY – WOLLONGONG

Field exercise: Evaluation of the suitability of using a basalt quarry to supply construction materials for a breakwater and the estimation of potential material reserves.

Student team presentations: Report and recommendations for the site of a proposed cavern.

DAY 7 – WOLLONGONG

Field trip to observe major rockfall and landslide protection measures above Lawrence Hargrave Drive.

Field exercise: Engineering geological mapping of a major landslide complex at Bald Hill to support the planning of a proposed development.

DAY 8 – WOLLONGONG

Workshop: Evaluation of information from the desk top study (Day 3) and field mapping (Day 7) to identify hazards and to develop an engineering geological model to support the development of landslide prone land at Bald Hill.

Workshop: Analysis of structural geological data collected in the field on Day 5 to support the evaluation of design implications and construction considerations to reduce risk, for a proposed underground cavern.

DAY 9 – WOLLONGONG

Wrap up:  Award of certificates; group discussion; comments from participants and closing.

12 pm end of course.

DISCLAIMER:

This itinerary is subject to review and may change.

Registration

Members are required to log in to access the AGS member price, which is not transferable.

More information about logging in to this website can be found here.

Payment via credit card is available and processed by Stripe. The Australian Geomechanics Society will not store or have access to your credit card information, and Stripe adhere to strict security and PCI compliance for processing online transactions.

Upon purchase, an email and a tax invoice will be sent to the buyer. Attendees will also receive an email with their tickets attached, as well as a link to download the tickets if they are misplaced.