OVERVIEW

The course presents some of the fundamental principles of soil mechanics and their application to basic cases of geotechnical classification.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching covers some of the key aspects of geotechnical and environmental engineering, introducing students to methodologies that are fundamental for their training. The goal is to enable students mastering basic knowledge independently and engaging with specialists from various disciplines critically and constructively. By the end of the programme, students should be able to proficiently apply the concepts presented during the course to professional activities, exercising autonomy of judgement and employing effective communication tools.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

OBJECTIVES: The objective is to illustrate the fundamentals of geotechnical engineering, emphasising practical aspects related to soil classification and hydro-mechanical characterisation of earthworks. The course aims to provide basic knowledge to understand and analyse some of the main geotechnical problems related to soil seepage and strength.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Classification of soils. Evaluation of initial stress states and their possible evolution over time. Analysis of seepage in two-phase porous media. Failure criteria of soils. Interpretation of stress states in terms of Mohr circles.

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of theoretical and practical lectures. Students who have a valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss circumstances or arrangements regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should contact both the relevant teacher and Professor Federico Scarpa (federico.scarpa@unige.it), who is the disability liaison of the Polytechnic School.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Introduction to geotechnical engineering. General features of soils. Identification and classification of soils.
• Initial soil state and stress history. Principle of effective stresses.
• Water in soils. Permeability and seepage.
• Failure criteria of soils.
• Mohr circles.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

R. Berardi (2020), Fondamenti di Geotecnica, 4a edizione. Città Studi, De Agostini Scuola.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/11428/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination will consist of an oral test.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral test consists of questions about the course material and is designed to assess whether the student has achieved an adequate level of knowledge. The discussion also aims to evaluate the ability of the student to describe relevant topics using appropriate terminology. During the test, the student may also be required to provide a written solution to an applied problem related to the topics covered.

FURTHER INFORMATION

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 Federico Scarpa (federico.scarpa@unige.it), the Polytechnic School's disability liaison.

For any further information, please visit the page Aulaweb of the course (https://aulaweb.unige.it)