OVERVIEW

Landslide disasters are caused by exposure to hazardous motions of soil and rock that threaten vulnerable human settlements in mountains, cities, coasts, and islands” (from the Sendai Partnership Resolution). As known, landslide disasters cannot be expected, but we can prepare for them better.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course deals with hazards posed by landslides and erosional processes resulting from natural phenomena and/or man-made actions. Firstly, the geotechnical bases and the principles of landslide classification, investigation and mapping, as well as the basic approaches to assess slope stability conditions will be presented. Later, the various techniques of slope monitoring and the methods available for the assessment of landslide susceptibility will be discussed. At last, the course will deal with aspects of landslide risk management, namely prevention and mitigation measures.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide the fundamental concepts about slope stability and landslide hazard. At the end of the course the student gains the following skills:

- identification and characterization of landslide mechanisms;

- definition of the most appropriate landslide investigation and monitoring techniques;

- selection and application of the most suitable basic approaches for landslide susceptibility analysis and mapping;

- definition of landslide risk mitigation strategies.

TEACHING METHODS

The course is based on lectures, tutorials and case histories. Lectures are performed through multimedia presentations.

Attendance of the lectures is recommended.

Working students and students with Specific Learning Disorders ("disturbi specifici di apprendimento", DSA), are invited to inform the teacher in order to define in advance individual teaching methods consistent with the expected learning outcomes.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course deals with the following topics:

- Basic concepts of Engineering Geology.

- Characterization of landslide types and processes: landslide mechanisms and landslide classification.

- Landslide predisposing and triggering factors.

- Landslide kinematic and activity, slope failure evolution.

- Landslide investigation, detection and mapping.

- Slope monitoring.

- Definition of landslide hazard, landslide susceptibility and landslide risk.

- Methods for landslide susceptibility assessment and zoning in relation to different spatial scales.

- Landslide risk reduction strategies.

- Basic notions of landslide stabilization and mitigation measures.

This course also contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda: Objectives no. 4, 13, and 15.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Learning material provided during the course and available on Aulaweb.

- Lu N., Godt J. W. (2013) - Hillslope hydrology and stability. Cambridge University Press.

- Clague J.J, Stead D. (2012) – Landslides - Types, Mechanisms and Modeling. Cambridge University Press.

- Cruden, D. M. (1993). The multilingual landslide glossary. The International Geotechnical Societies UNESCO Working Party for World Landslide Inventory, 5.

- Highland, L., & Bobrowsky, P. T. (2008). The landslide handbook: a guide to understanding landslides (p. 129). Reston: US Geological Survey.

- Hungr, O., Leroueil, S., & Picarelli, L. (2014). The Varnes classification of landslide types, an update. Landslides, 11(2), 167-194.

- Settles, E., Göttle, A., & Von Poschinger, A. (2008). Slope monitoring methods-a state of the art report. ClimChalp Interreg III B Alpine Space -Work package, 6.

Working students and students with Specific Learning Disorders ("disturbi specifici di apprendimento", DSA), are invited to inform the teacher in advance in order to deliver supplementary learning material.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SIMONE BARANI (President)

EGIDIO ARMADILLO

ANDREA CEVASCO

GABRIELE FERRETTI

DANIELE SPALLAROSSA

GIACOMINO PEPE (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The lessons timetable is available at the following link: https://courses.unige.it/10553/p/students-timetable

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral test based on questions on topics dealt with during the course.

Students with disabilities or learning disorders can use specific modalities and supports that will be determined on a case-by-case basis in agreement with the Delegate of the Engineering courses in the Committee for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities. Students are invited to contact the teacher of this course and copy the Delegate (https://unige.it/commissioni/comitatoperlinclusionedeglistudenticondisabilità).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Oral examination aimed at verifying acquired knowledge and comprehension of subjects covered within the course as well as the student's capability to address simple problems related to slope stability and landslide susceptibility. The level of student's ability to present, with the correct use of technical terminology, and of critical reasoning will be also evaluated.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with disabilities or learning disorders can use specific modalities and supports that will be determined on a case-by-case basis in agreement with the Delegate of the Engineering courses in the Committee for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities. Students are invited to contact the teacher of this course and copy the Delegate (https://unige.it/commissioni/comitatoperlinclusionedeglistudenticondisabilità).