The course aims to provide students with basic preparation relating to the determination of the physical characteristics of soils, the classification and identification of the mechanical behavior of soils under different stress conditions and by carrying out laboratory tests. The course will also deal with the criteria used for the definition of the geological and geotechnical model of the subsoil with the definition of the boundary conditions. The main theories and methodologies available will be applied to the verification and design of foundations, to the estimation of settlements, to excavations, to checks on the stability of slopes and the earth pressure.

Presentation of the course; Geological Engineering between Geology and Engineering: fild of application. Physical states and index properties of soils: Particle size analysis (sieving and sedimentation); volumetric characteristics; Soil structure (Kaolinite, Illite, Montmorillonite); Particle surface activity; Consistency Limits; Clay activity; Classification diagrams. The soil as a multiphase mixture; lithostatic pressure; Terzaghi's Effective Stress Principle: Total, Neutral and Effective stress; The Mohr’s circle for plane stress. Stress history: normally consolidated and overconsolidated soils; overconsolidation ratio and the coefficient of lateral earth pressure. Rheology, notes on the models of elastic, elasto-plastic and visco-elastic mechanical behaviour. Soil water; saturation and partial soil saturation, capillary pressure. Bernoulli equation and Darcy's Law for satured soil: hydraulic conductivity, steady flow for confined and unconfined flow, flownets: Two-Dimensional Flow of Water trough Soils (sheet pile, earth dam, river); piping failure. Stress distribution in soil. Theory of one-dimensional consolidation and the dissipation of interstitial overpressures, the oedometric test, the evaluation of settlements over time. Resistance and Critical State: Soil Drained and Undrained Conditions; Mohr-Coulomb and Tresca Failure Criterion; Direct Shear Test, Triaxial Shear test, Simple Compression Test. Limit Analysis and Limit Equilibrium; Active and Passive earth pressure; Critical height of a vertical cuts in clay. Foundations: general information and types; mechanisms of failure for shallow foundations; Bearing Capacity of shallow and deep foundations. The evaluation of the stability of finite and infinite slopes, back-analysis. Control and monitoring systems. Legislation about Geotechnical design.

Knowledge and understanding. The student will have to achieve a sufficient mastery of the basic analytical knowledge, theoretical and practical, for the characterization and classification of soils, essential for the correct reconstruction and definition of the engineering geological model

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding. The student will have to demonstrate to be able to apply the concepts and theories covered during the course for the resolution of the main engineering geological problems

Making judgements. The student must be able to appropriately and coherently choose the specific technical solutions in the different engineering geological contexts.

Communication skills. The student will have to show that he/she is able to describe the acquired knowledge clearly, with scientific rigor and propriety of language.

Learning skills. The student will have to show the ability to develop a path of individual growth and critical re-elaboration.

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

Teaching

Lectures, practical exercises and visits to local geotechnical laboratories.

Innovative teaching methods

The lectures will be complemented by visits to local geotechnical laboratories.

Attendance

Reading and interpretation of a geological map, creation of geological sections.

Knowledge of the Umbrian - Marche sedimentary succession with particular attention to the Quaternary soils.

Course books

R. Berardi - Fondamenti di geotecnica, Città Studi Edizioni, 2021

A.Bruschi, F.A. Crippa - Prove Geotecniche di Laboratorio, Dario Flaccovio Editore, 2012

L.I.Gonzalez de Vallejo - Geoingegneria, Pearson, 2005

M.Tanzini - L'Indagine Geotecnica, Dario Flaccovio Editore, 2011

Teaching material distributed by the teacher during the course.

Assessment

Oral examination. The exam will verify the mastery of the theoretical and applicative bases for the setting and resolution of geological-technical problems.

Expository and terminological correctness will also be assessed.

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, practical exercises and visits to local geotechnical laboratories.

Attendance

Reading and interpretation of a geological map, creation of geological sections.

Knowledge of the Umbrian - Marche sedimentary succession with particular attention to the Quaternary soils.

Course books

R. Berardi - Fondamenti di geotecnica, Città Studi Edizioni, 2021

A.Bruschi, F.A. Crippa - Prove Geotecniche di Laboratorio, Dario Flaccovio Editore, 2012

L.I.Gonzalez de Vallejo - Geoingegneria, Pearson, 2005

M.Tanzini - L'Indagine Geotecnica, Dario Flaccovio Editore, 2011

Teaching material distributed by the teacher during the course.

Assessment

Oral examination. The exam will verify the mastery of the theoretical and applicative bases for the setting and resolution of geological-technical problems.

Expository and terminological correctness will also be assessed.

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.