The aim of the Course is to provide the theoretical and practical elements on the main types of in-situ geotechnical tests to determine the stratigraphy and the physical and mechanical properties of soil and rock superficial strata.
They represent the more important soil portion in order to engineering geological application and their knowledge is necessary to civil engineering design projects (e.g.: foundations, retaining walls, roads construction, reservoirs), slope stability assessment, natural and artificial slopes stabilization, quarries mining and recovery.
In addition, the elements necessary to acquire, process and interpreting field data and in situ testing to characterize and classify rock masses will be provided.

In situ testing and investigation goals, benefits and limits. In situ testing survey design. Drilling as methodology to subsoil stratigraphic investigation and sampling. Samples quality. Geotechnical in situ tests: Density Test; Field Vane Test (FV); Dynamic Probing (DP), Cone (CPT) and Piezocone (CPTu) Penetration Testing;  Standard Penetration Testing (SPT); Plate Load Testing (PLT). Slope movements and deformations monitoring methods: inclinometers, strain gauge, fessurimeters.

Geomechanical survey of rock masses. Rock mass property and behavior. Characterization and shear strength assessment of discontinuities. Rock slope stability assessment: kinematic feasibility analysis and identification of modes of failure. Rock mass classification (Rock Mass Rating and Slope Mass Rating, Q-system) for engineering design and stability analysis. 

Not required.

Knowledge and understanding. Students are expected to have an thorough knowledge of the in-situ testing main techniques, including their planning, and of the methodologies for rock masses geomechanical survey.

Applying knowledge and understanding. Students must especially demonstrate that are themselves able to use these results, even in the context of their relations with other disciplines of the Earth Sciences, for understanding terrains features and behaviour and to reconstruct the geotechnical model of terrains.

Making judgements. Students must demonstrate its ability to reason following the logic of the teaching. In particular they must be able to planning the appropriate site investigations for the different geological-geomorphological contexts, selecting the most appropriate activities.

Communication skills. Students must show that he is able to describe clearly and with an appropriate language the acquired knowledge. 

Learning skills. The student must demonstrate the ability to develop an individual growth path by integrating the didactic material provided with other specific material also defined on the basis of indications from the teacher.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

The teaching material can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Lectures, technical visits and field excursions.

Attendance

No obligations.

Course books

M. Tanzini. L'indagine geotecnica. Dario Flaccovio Editore.

A. Bruschi. Meccanica delle rocce. Dario Flaccovio Editore.

Assessment

The assesment of learning consists in an oral exam that involves an evaluation which is expressed as a grade of out of 30.

It is, moreover, required a preliminarly short written report on an in-situ test personal experience.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Lectures, technical visits and field excursions.

Attendance

No obligations.

Course books

M. Tanzini. L'indagine geotecnica. Dario Flaccovio Editore.

A. Bruschi. Meccanica delle rocce. Dario Flaccovio Editore.

Assessment

Oral exam, with a short written report on an in-situ test personal experience.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.