Overview

This unit of study aims to develop an understanding of the objectives, principles and processes of road geometric design, pavement design, construction and testing of relevant materials’ properties.

Requisites

Prerequisites
CVE20001 Topographical Engineering

OR

Admission to the Associate Degree of Applied Technologies

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Identify objectives and principles of road geometric design and how to address them through proper selection of design inputs. (K1, S1, S2)
  • Apply current guidelines in the design of road geometric elements using hand calculations and relevant software. (K2, K3, S1, S2, S3)
  • Appreciate and apply the principles of sustainable road design and construction practices. (K3, S1)
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how traffic loading, moisture and material properties affect pavement performance and how they are considered in pavement design. (K3)
  • Safely execute experiments, analyse and interpret results and errors and formulate conclusions as part of a team. (K2, S1, A7)
  • Generate high quality reports as part of a team. (A7)

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Lecture		1.00 4 weeks 4
Live Online
Class		1.00 8 weeks 8
Online
Lecture		1.67 12 weeks 20
On-campus
Class		2.00 6 weeks 12
On-campus
Practical		2.00 1 week 2
On-campus
Lab		3.00 4 weeks 12
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		7.67 12 weeks 92
TOTAL150

Sarawak

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Lecture		2.00 12 weeks 24
On-campus
Class		1.00 12 weeks 12
On-campus
Practical		0.17 12 weeks 2
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning		0.50 12 weeks 6
On-campus
Class		1.00 12 weeks 12
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		7.83 12 weeks 94
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssignmentIndividual/Group 50 - 60% 1,2,3,5,6 
Laboratory ReportIndividual 5 - 10% 5 
Online QuizzesIndividual 5 - 10% 1,2,3,4 
Online TestsIndividual 20 - 30% 1,2,3,4 

Content

  • Objectives of geometric road design and design inputs
  • Road cross-section elements and drainage structures
  • Design of horizontal alignment
  • Design of vertical alignment and calculations of earthworks
  • Coordination of alignments and checking for overtaking opportunity
  • Road construction sequence and sustainability in construction
  • Earthworks equipment and calculation of equipment output
  • Compaction theory and stabilisation
  • Properties and testing of road construction materials
  • Empirical pavement design

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.