74831 - Applied Geology and Hydrogeology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will be able to acquire and report geological and geotechnical data for engineering-geological projects. The student will be able to specify a basic site investigation strategy to identify soil deposits and determine their characteristics, interpret their findings, appreciate the effects of sampling on the quality of soil samples taken for laboratory testing, and the implications of these effects for the interpretation of such test data. The student will also familiarize with the principle of operation of common in-situ testing devices, their applicability and parameters that can be reliably obtained from them. The student will acquire the base-knowledge of hydrogeology and hydraulic properties of geological porous media and will represent the main features of groundwater flow systems in aquifers of different nature on the basis of geological and hydrogeological information. The student will evaluate the role of groundwater at the catchment scale and will be able to interpret contour maps, hydrogeological and vulnerability maps.

Course contents

Representation of geological-technical data for the main engineering-gaological applications.

Base knowledge of the hydrogeology and hydraulic properties of geo-materials.

Techniques of ground investigations. Borehole logs, sampling and effects of disturbance. Cone penetration testing, Standard penetration testing, Dilatometric test, Field vane test, Pressuremeter test.

Selection of in-situ test methods and their interpretation.

Principles of field monitoring for geological applications.

Base knowledge of the hydraulic properties of porous media (porosity, permeability, storativity). Hydraulic head and Darcy’s law. Groundwater flow systems: recharge, groundwater flow inside the aquifer, discharge. Springs and associated hydrostructures. Aquifer’s vulnerability to pollution. Reconstruction, also computer-assisted, and interpretation of head contouring.

Readings/Bibliography

Knappett J.A. and Craig R.F., Craig’s soil mechanics, E & FN Spon, 2020, – 9th ed..

Cestari F., In situ geotechnical tests. Patron ed., 2012, Bologna, 380 pp..

Freeze & Cherry – Groundwater (1979, Prentice-Hall).

Tradotto completamente in Italiano al seguente link:

http://hydrogeologistswithoutborders.org/wordpress/1979-italiano/

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons, laboratory and field practicals

Assessment methods

Oral exam, distinct between the two Modules, based on theoretical questions and interpretation of the results of in-situ tests. Final votation will be the average, weighted according the credits, of the single votation (expressed on a 30/30 basis) obtained from the two Modules.

Teaching tools

Geotechnical and Computing Labs

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Simoni

See the website of Alessandro Gargini