The course aims to provide students with the necessary criteria for planning a geognostic investigation aimed at determining the geotechnical model of the subsoil. The theoretical, interpretative and applicative elements of the main in situ investigations for the geomechanical parameterisation of soils and rock masses will be covered.

Legislation relating to on-site investigations and tests. Purposes, advantages and limitations of on-site investigations and tests. Design of an investigation campaign.

Excavations and surface permeability tests.

Drilling as a stratigraphic survey technique. The main drilling systems in geotechnical issues and deep investigations. Soil sampling and sample quality class. Rock Quality Designation (RQD). The measurement with pocket penetrometer and pocket vane test. Annotations during drilling. Probing hole tests: scissometric test (SC), pressiometric test (PM). Wells and piezometers: types, measurement of water level and pore pressures. Permeability tests in boreholes. Introduction to pumping tests.

On-site geotechnical investigations: static (CPTm, CPTe, CPTu) and dynamic (DP) penetrometer tests; Standard Penetration Test (SPT); Plate Load Test (PLT); Determination of In-Situ Density; Flat Dilatometer Test (DMT).

Direct applications of on-site surveys in design.

Slope control and monitoring systems: inclinometers, strain gauges, crack meters. Introduction to Satellite Radar Interferometry.

Geomechanical survey in rock masses: fracturing survey, characterization and evaluation of the shear strength of discontinuities. Rock Mass Rating  and Slope Mass Rating (Q-system) classification methods. The Hoek-Brown Failure Criterion and the determination of the Geological Strength Index (GSI). Stability analysis and failure mechanisms of rock slopes. Properties and behaviour of rock masses and weak or structurally complex rocks.

Introduction to geophysical investigations for the determination of static and dynamic geomechanical parameters of soils.

Knowledge and understanding. The student will have to achieve a sufficient mastery in the knowledge of the main methods of on-site investigation and of the methodologies of geomechanical survey of rock masses,

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding. Above all, the student will have to demonstrate that he/she is able to autonomously apply the results of on-site investigations and tests to understand the nature and behavior of soils in order to reconstruct, also through the knowledge acquired in other disciplines of Earth Sciences, the geotechnical model.

Making judgements. The student will have to show the ability to reason following the logic of the teaching. In particular, he/she will be able to plan a survey campaign based on the analysis of the geological and geomorphological context of the site.

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

Frontal lessons and practical exercises.

Attendance

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

Knowledge of the Umbrian - Marche sedimentary succession.

Course books

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

A.Bruschi - Prove Geotecniche in situ, Dario Flaccovio Editore, 2010

A.Bruschi - Meccanica delle rocce, Dario Flaccovio Editore, 2004

F.Cestari - Prove Geotecniche in sito, Geo-Graph, 1996

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

Teaching material distributed by the teacher during the course.

Assessment

Oral examination. The exam will ensure mastery of the theoretical and applicative bases for setting up a geognostic investigation campaign and the interpretation of in situ investigations for the 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

Frontal lessons and practical exercises.

Attendance

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

Knowledge of the Umbrian - Marche sedimentary succession.

Course books

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

A.Bruschi - Prove Geotecniche in situ, Dario Flaccovio Editore, 2010

A.Bruschi - Meccanica delle rocce, Dario Flaccovio Editore, 2004

F.Cestari - Prove Geotecniche in sito, Geo-Graph, 1996

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

Teaching material distributed by the teacher during the course.

Assessment

Oral examination. The exam will ensure mastery of the theoretical and applicative bases for setting up a geognostic investigation campaign and the interpretation of in situ investigations for the 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.