Applied Geology to protection and sustainable development of territory

Engineering-geological approach to engineering works according to the italian code “Norme Tecniche per le costruzioni”. Planning and realisation criteria of engineering geological investigation in relation to the purposes of the specific plan. Geological and geomechanical investigation: boreholes, piezometers, sampling and in situ tests. Distribution of stresses induced by vertical applied loads: from the Boussinesq theory to the abacus for different geometries of the loaded surfaces. Estimation of the consolidation time. Thrust induced by water on different type of structures and in different flow conditions. Shallow and deep foundations: estimation of bearing capacity by different computation methods and of total and differential settlements and time necessary to complete the consolidation process (by using the consolidation theory). Gravity retaining walls: computation of thrust for different types of soils and conditions. Engineering geology applied to large constructions (tunnels and dams) in the planning, realisation and post-operam phases. Approach to the evaluation of seismic action. Computation exercices on the following topics: in situ tests interpretation and use of empirical relationships; variation of the vertical effective stress induced by overload; consolidation time; stress distribution and thrust induced by water; bearing capacity of shallow foundation and time of consolidation; primary and secondary settlements induced by shallow foundations; active and passive thrust on gravity retaining walls. Technical excursions on construction sites will be evaluated in relation to the availability.

Basics of Soil Mechanics and Rock Mechanics, Engineering-Geological Survey and Hydrogeology

L.I. GONZALES DE VALLEJO (2005), Geoingegneria, Ed. Pearson LANCELLOTTA (2004) , Geotecnica, Ed. Zanichelli. C. VALORE (1997), Meccanica dei terreni, Dario Flaccovio Editore Power Point files of the teacher (in the web site).

Optional, strongly suggested

Oral test

Quantitative dealing with 2D water flow, thrust on vertical wall, undrained shear resistance and stress paths