AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide students with the fundamentals of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, with particular emphasis on the physical and mechanical characterization and on the identification and analysis of the hydro-mechanical behaviour of soils. The course therefore aims to introduce the theoretical approaches related to the mechanical response of soils, in order to provide a solid basic knowledge for tackling geotechnical analyses.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide students with the practical tools required to address engineering problems consistent with the professional profile of a bachelor’s degree graduate. The course is designed to provide the knowledge and methods for the experimental characterization of soils, for conducting seepage analyses in porous media under steady-state and transient conditions, and for the geotechnical design of shallow foundations and rigid retaining structures.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Planning and management of geotechnical investigations, both in situ and in the laboratory. Experimental evaluation of soil parameters. Selection of foundation type. Preliminary design and verification of foundation structures and retaining walls. Knowledge and application of the relevant mandatory technical regulations (Technical Standards for Construction – Ministerial Decree 17/01/2018).

PREREQUISITES

To take the exam for this course, students must have passed the following examinations:

CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 8715 (cohort 2023/2024)
GENERAL PHYSICS 56686 (2023)
GEOMETRY 56721 (2023)
MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS II 60243 (2023)
MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS I 60354 (2023)
MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS I 72290 (2023)

TEACHING METHODS

The course is structured into lectures, exercises, and case study discussions.

Students who have a valid certification of physical disability or learning disability on file at the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other matters related to lectures, coursework, or examinations are required to contact both the course instructor and Prof. Federico Scarpa (federico.scarpa@unige.it), the disability representative of the Polytechnic School.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

One-dimensional consolidation: theory and applications.
Experimental determination of mechanical properties through laboratory and in situ tests.
Shallow foundations: types and design approaches. Ultimate bearing capacity: short- and long-term verification methods. Settlement calculation: assumptions and simplified approaches; calculation methods for foundations on fine-grained and coarse-grained soils. Regulatory aspects.
Rigid retaining walls: determination of earth pressure and surcharge loads acting on the backfill. Design verification methods. Regulatory aspects.
Introduction to deep foundation types and to the evaluation of the ultimate bearing capacity of foundation piles.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

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

L. Tonni, G. Gottardi (2010), Esercizi di Geotecnica, Soc. Editrice Esculapio, Bologna

R. Lancellotta (2004), Geotecnica, 3a ed., Zanichelli

R. Lancellotta, J. Calavera (1999), “Fondazioni”. McGraw-Hill

C. Viggiani (1999), “Fondazioni”. Hevelius Ed.

G. Berardi (1974), “Ingegneria delle Fondazioni”. Enciclopedia dell’Ingegneria, ISEDI

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The start date of lectures can be consulted at the following address: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam will consist of an oral test during which the solution of an analytical exercise may also be required. The oral exam can be taken on the dates scheduled in the exam calendar.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Assessment will be carried out exclusively through an oral examination, consisting of questions on the topics covered during the lectures and potentially including the solution of an analytical exercise.