OVERVIEW

The course provides the basic elements necessary for the definition and design of the hydraulic structures necessary for the management (intake, control, transport) of the water resource, with particular reference to the infrastructures for the production of hydroelectric energy (dams and run-of-the-river generation plants).

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module provides the basic elements necessary for the design of hydraulic intake, control and transport works, free surface and under pressure, with particular attention to the design of infrastructures and resource management problems.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide the student with the basic knowledge for the preliminary design of dams and infrastructures for the management of water resources. Particular attention will be paid to the design of works for the production of hydroelectric energy.
In detail, at the end of the course, the student will be able to:

• Dimension gravity dams and the necessary accessory works 
• Know the problems relating to the use of different materials in the construction of dam works
• Theoretically treat problems due to the opening and closing operations of water derivation plants (mass and elastic oscillations)
• Use the knowledge acquired in the hydrology course for the sizing of intake and damming works
• Know the principles of the use of dams and management of water resources in the context of hydraulic risk management.
• Demonstrate decision-making autonomy, ability to effectively communicate the results of one's work in written and oral form, ability to adapt language to the context, ability to use different sources and aids.

The objectives will be achieved with a series of design exercises dedicated to the preliminary design of some hydraulic works.

PREREQUISITES

The course has as a pre-requisite having acquired the basic contents of the Hydraulics course

TEACHING METHODS

The course is divided into 60 hours of teaching, of which at least 25 are exercises that involve the preliminary design of hydraulic infrastructures. Students will have to independently choose/derive the project parameters by applying the methods described during lectures. Some hours will be dedicated to the students' presentation of any problems that may have emerged during the dimensioning phase of the works and the solutions will be discussed in an interactive manner. During the exam, each student will have to make a presentation of the results and have a discussion with the teacher regarding the different project choices.

Working students and students with certification of Specific Learning Disorders, disabilities or other special educational needs are advised to contact the teacher at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching and exam methods which, in compliance with the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning methods.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Introduction to the course: types and uses of hydraulic constructions, the materials used, historical notes on hydraulic constructions
• Artificial reservoirs: useful hydraulic references, terminology and general classification, verification problem and design problem, infrastructure obsolescence
• Dams: typologies, preliminary design, design loads, accessory infrastructures, monitoring and protection, water hammer, penstock design
• The production of hydroelectric energy: planning of the exploitation of water resources at the basin scale, overall example of sizing of a reservoir plant
• Pumps and turbines: characteristics and sizing
• Run-of-river systems: types and general sizing of a system

The course contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The essential free-access bibliography will be provided by the teacher during the lessons.
Upon request, the teacher will be able to provide specific information on texts which can be consulted through the university library system.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

GIORGIO BONI (President)

SILVIA DE ANGELI

ILARIA GNECCO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The timetable of the course can be found here:

 https://corsi.unige.it/8715/p/studenti-orario

Class schedule

HIDRAULIC CONSTRUCTIONS

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral exam, structured as follows:

Presentation of the results of the preliminary design exercises, discussion with the teacher, and questions on the theoretical part.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Application exercises are planned which consist of a preliminary design of some types of hydraulic infrastructures. The exercises, delivered in written form, will be presented and discussed in depth during the final exam. The final exam consists, in addition to the discussion of the exercises, in some questions chosen by the teacher to be answered orally, in particular on the topics of the entire program not covered exhaustively in the exercises.
60% of the final mark is based on the outcome of the presentation of the projects and 40% on the outcome of the oral questions.

Exam schedule