AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

COURSE AIMS:

1. To introduce the various hydro-geological processes and the relevant analytical methods for engineering analysis
2. To overview the main applications of groundwater flow principles as relevant to geotechnical engineers
3. To introduce the fundamental aspects of capillarity in soils

​LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Apply analytical tools and modelling techniques to the prediction of hydro-geological variables
2. Evaluate the main soil parameters that affect the relationship between rainfall and ground infiltration
3. Evaluate sustainability of groundwater abstraction schemes with reference to the occurrence of pumping-induced subsidence
4. Describe the effects of suction and capillarity in unsaturated soils

TEACHING METHODS

The course will take place on-line due to the covid-19 health emergency. Details on the modalities of delivery of the lectures are provided on the classroom page of the AulaWeb internet site.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS OF HYDROGEOLOGY

1. Phreatic (unconfined) versus artesian (confined) aquifers
2. Hydraulic head as driving potential for water flow: Darcy’s law
3. Laplace equation: application to flow nets
4. Methods of measuring and estimating infiltration capacity
5. Transient processes and steady state processes
6. One-dimensional flow in unconfined aquifers: Dupuit’s theory
7. Steady-state pumping from wells: confined aquifers
8. Steady-state pumping from wells: unconfined aquifers
9. Transient pumping from wells: Theis method and Jacobs method
10. Introduction to site investigation: groundwater and permeability testing
11. Falling head, raising head, constant head and packer (or Lugeon) tests
12. Permeability of fractured rocks

PRINCIPLES OF UNSATURATED SOIL MECHANICS

1. Vadose zone and water menisci
2. Surface tension and volume-mass relations
3. Meniscus pull and Fisher's formulation
4. Water retention curve and hydraulic hysteresis
5. Unsaturated stress variables

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

RECOMMENDED BOOKS

PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS OF HYDROGEOLOGY

1. Wilson, E.M., (1990). Engineering Hydrology, 4th Ed. Macmillan Press
2. Younger, P.L., (2006). Groundwater in the Environment: An Introduction, John Wiley & Sons
3. Viessman, W. & Lewis, G.L., (1995). Introduction to Hydrology, 5th Ed. Pearson

PRINCIPLES OF UNSATURATED SOIL MECHANICS

1. Fredlund, D.G. & Rahardjo, H., (1993). Soil mechanics for unsaturated soils, Wiley

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

DOMENICO GALLIPOLI (President)

ROBERTO PASSALACQUA

ROSSELLA BOVOLENTA (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Lectures will start on Monday 1st March.

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination will consist of a single oral test during which the solution of an analytical exercise may also be required.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Assessment will take place by oral examination at the end of the course.

Exam schedule