CVEN90044 Eng.

Site Characterisation
- Planning and procurement -

The University of Melbourne >

 Engineering site characterisation?
Site characterisation is the process by which

• geological,
• topographical,
• geotechnical,
• meteorological,
• historical,
• legal,
• and other relevant information

which might affect the construction or performance of a civil

engineering or building project is acquired.
 Where can we get that information?
Potential sources of information:

• ……………..,
• ……………..,
• ……………..,
• ……………..,
• ……………..,
• ……………..,
 Where can we get that information?
Potential sources of geological information:

• Geological maps
• Geoscience Australia
• Geoscience Portal
• Victorian DPI http://dpistore.efirst.com.au/Default.asp?c=13441

• Engineering Geology of Melbourne (“Blue Book”)

• USGS (US Geological Survey)
• Past detailed geological investigations
• Past geotechnical site investigations
• Council
• ……………..,
Melbourne & Suburbs (1959) [1:31,680] Map 31
 Geological time line

Lewis and Gunter, 1998

Geological time line

https://spongebobquh.wikispaces.com
 Where can we get that information?
Potential sources of meteorological information:

• Bureau of Meteorology
• Earth Science departments
• CRCs (e.g. e-water, irrigation futures)
• ……………..,
• ……………..,
 Where can we get that information?
Potential sources of topographical information:

• Large-scale image banks

• Geoscience Australia
• Satellites (e.g., Lansat)
• nearmap (http://au.nearmap.com)
Access through UniMelb Library Database
Where can we get that information?

Lansat (Satellite image)

Where can we get that information?

Elevation (http://www.ga.gov.au/image_cache/GA11828.jpg)
 Where can we get that information?
Potential sources of topographical information:

• Large-scale image banks

• Geoscience Australia
• Satellites (e.g., Lansat)
• Small-to-medium scale image banks
• Google earth
• Google maps
• Nearmap
• Live or Bing maps (Microsoft)
• Geomatics / Surveying departments and companies
• ……………..,
 Where can we get that information?
Potential sources of topographical information:

http://image.versiontracker.com/scrnsht/55184/180686/2932004%20Tsunami%20Screensot.JPG
 Where can we get that information?
Potential sources of natural hazards information:

• Geoscience Australia
• Flooding
• Earthquakes
• Landslides
• Bushfire
• USGS (USA and others)
• ……………..,
• ……………..,
 Earthquake hazard map of Australia

http://webmap.ga.gov.au/imf-natural_hazards/imf.jsp?site=natural_hazards_earthquake
http://www.ga.gov.au/hazards/earthquake/tools.jsp
 Bushfire

http://sentinel.ga.gov.au/acres/sentinel/index.shtml
 Where can we get that information?
Potential sources of legal and aboriginal heritage
information:

• State government
• Local councils
• ……………..,
• ……………..,
Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructures
Planning Scheme Online

• Online Maps

• PDF Maps

http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/
 Summary
•Source of information about site
•Location, geology, seismicity, fire hazards, etc…
•Learn about your site BEFORE visiting it

Reminders:
Tutorial = none this week
PC Lab = Yes, self-guided 
Field practical = none this week (BUT self-guided week 3)
Assignments = none due this week (BUT PC…)
Tutorial Swap: Finalized by Wed next week