Geohazards and geological risks. Engineering geological investigations and mapping. Rock and soil characterization in the field and in the lab. Properties for engineering use. Geological problems of engineering works. Landslides: investigations, monitoring and mitigation.
Groundwater movements, groundwater and well hydraulics.
Goodman R.E. - Engineering Geology: Rock in Engineering Construction. John Wiley & Sons Inc
Todd D.K. & Mays L.W. - Groundwater Hydrology. John Wiley & Sons Inc
Learning Objectives
Knowledge of the engineering-geological properties of rocks and soils. Practice on methods for their characterization through in situ and laboratory tests. Planning of field investigations.
Prerequisites
Physics, Mathematics, Geology
Teaching Methods
Contact class with use of blackboard and PC video-projector; practical lessons for data analysis in computer room. Field trips. Use of the Moodle e-learning platform for exchange of materials with students. Seminars and lessons on specific items by external scientists and researchers.
Further information
Attendance of lectures is strongly recommended.
Type of Assessment
Report on exercises carried out during the course, interview or written test evaluation.
Course program
1. Geohazards and geological risks: hazard, vulnerability and exposure; classification of geohazards; geohazard impact and statistics, risk assessment and mitigation.
2. Engineering geological investigations and mapping: geological exploration techniques, site investigations, stressing drilling and logging core samples, engineering geological mapping, planning of field investigations.
3. Rock and soil characterization in the field and in the lab: index properties of rock and soils, technical properties of rock and soils, laboratory and in situ tests, rock mass characterization, engineering geology reports.
4. Rock and soil properties for engineering use: behavior of different rock types in engineering construction; shales, sandstones, and associated rocks; soluble rocks: limestone, dolomite, and evaporites; plutonic igneous rocks and volcanic rocks; metamorphic rocks; rock structure and fault activity.
5. Hydrogeology: hydraulic properties of terrains, underground water flow, water table, aquifers and springs.
6. Geological problems of engineering works: earth retaining structures, dams, shallow and deep foundations, subsidence and settlement, ground instability; surface and underground excavations, rock reinforcement and support, open pit mines and underground mines, natural and man-made slopes.
7. Landslides: classification, types, mechanism, activity; site investigations; landslides causes and factors; monitoring techniques; mitigation works and risk reduction measures.
8. Innovative techniques: wireless sensor network, thermography, laser scanner, radar interferometry, remote sensing.
9. Practice on geotechnical laboratory, field excursions, illustrative case studies.