OVERVIEW

Engineering Geology is the science applied to the study and solution of engineering and environmental problems arising from the interaction between human activities and geology. The purpose is to ensure that geological factors affecting engineering works are properly interpreted and taken into account in order to avoid or reduce the consequences of geological hazards.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching is aimed to provide the students with the skills required to address properly the main engineering geological issues, related both to natural phenomena or civil engineering works, which may arise in professional activity. In particular, the following subjects are dealt with: 1) rock mass strength and deformability; stability analysis of rock slopes for planar, wedge and toppling failures; 2) groundwater wells and pumping tests; 3) slope stabilization methods and soil hardening; 4) engineering geological issues related to the construction of roads, tunnels and dams; 5) basic concepts of the Technical Regulations on Constructions (NTC 2018).

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student will acquire the skills to identify and solve problems arising from the interaction between the natural and man-made environment as well as from the construction of civil engineering works. In particular, the student will acquire skills and abilities about specific aspects of Soil and Rock Mechanics and Hydrogeology; slope stabilization works and consolidation techniques; geological investigations and problems in the construction of civil engineering works such as roads, dams and tunnels; technical legislation on constructions for those aspects of interest for professional Geologist.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of Physics, Geology, Structural Geology, Geomorphology and Applied Geology.

TEACHING METHODS

Teaching consists of lectures, exercises and field trips.

Attendance at lectures, exercises and field trips is strongly recommended.

Classroom lectures are delivered through multimedia presentations.

Exercises are aimed at the practical application of the theoretical knowledge acquired during the frontal lectures. The exercises may involve individual reports and final discussion with the teacher.

Teaching support activities by geologists registered with the Geologist Regional Order and/or with geologists employed in public administrations are scheduled.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Rock mechanics complements: Strength of Intact Rock (Hoek & Brown Failure Criterion); Strength and deformability of rock masses; Types of rock mass failure; Stability analysis of rock slopes for planar, wedge and toppling failures..

Hydrogeology complements: design and execution of water wells; conditioning of a well; pumping tests and data interpretation.

Dams: definitions; types; geological investigations for dam design.

Roads: geological investigation for the design of a road; criteria and execution processes for the construction of a road; materials used in the construction of roads; requirements of materials used in the construction of roads; methods of construction of a road; geological issues in the construction of a road.

Slope stabilization works and consolidation techniques: surface protection and erosion control works; modifying the slope geometry or the mass distribution; modifying the surface water regime; modifying the groundwater regime; modifying the characteristics of the ground; transferring loads to competent ground; retaining structures; measures to stop or deviate the path of the landslide debris.

Tunnels: factors to be considered and investigations for tunnelling; geological issues; design solutions; excavation methods; construction stages; geological-geotechnical monitoring.

Technical legislation on constructions: aspects of interest for professional geologists.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Gonzales de Vallejo L.I. (2005) - Geoingegneria. Pearson education Italia Ed.

- Gattinoni P., Pizzarotti E., Scattolini E., Scesi L. (2004) – Stabilità dei pendii e dei fronti di scavo in roccia. PEI Ed.

- Scesi L., Papini M., Gattinoni P. Longoni L. (2015) - Geologia Tecnica. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

- Scesi L., Papini M., Gattinoni P. (2006) - Geologia applicata – il rilevamento geologico-tecnico (vol. 1). Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

See detailed timetable at the following link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of oral examination to ascertain the student's learning of the topics covered within the course and the student's ability to expound on them.

Students with a certification of physical or learning disability filed with the University can find information on support services at the web page https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/studenti-disturbi-specifici-apprendimento-dsa, provided by the "Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and with Learning Disorders." They can also contact Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Distav contact for disabilities.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral examination will focus mainly on the topics covered during the lectures and will aim to assess not only whether the student has achieved an adequate level of knowledge, but whether he or she has acquired the ability to analyze and integrate the knowledge acquired during the exercises and field trips carried out during the course.

The ability to describe the topics clearly and with the appropriate terminology and apply the acquired knowledge to problems of Engineering Geology will also be assessed.

Details on how to prepare for the exam and the degree of depth of each topic will be given during the course.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Attendance at classes is recommended.

Students with a certification of physical or learning disability filed with the University can find information on support services at the web page https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/studenti-disturbi-specifici-apprendimento-dsa, provided by the "Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and with Learning Disorders." They can also contact Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Distav contact for disabilities.