73258 - Ground Improvement M

Course contents

Introduction to the engineering principles of ground modification. Revision of basic soil mechanics principles: seepage, consolidation, shear strength. Geotechnical investigations, in situ testing and monitoring. Selection of operational parameters in short and long term stability analyses. Design and monitoring criteria of soil improvement interventions.

Slope stabilization methods: landslide types and processes, principles of landslide risk assessment, slope stability analyses, selection of suitable geotechnical parameters, possible interventions and mitigation methods.

Ground improvement methods and their classification. Soil densification through shallow and deep compaction, precompression with and without vertical drains, electroosmotic consolidation, dewatering, admixtures stabilization, injection and grouting, thermal modification. Stone columns, soil-reinforcement interaction, geosynthetics, design methods of reinforced earth structures.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes and supplementary material.

Text-books and recommended readings:

P. COLOMBO e F. COLLESELLI: Elementi di geotecnica, Zanichelli, 2004.

M.R. HAUSMANN: Engineering principles of ground modification, McGraw-Hill, 1990.

CORNFORTH D.: Landslides in practice: investigation, analysis and remedial/preventative options in soils, Wiley, 2005.

Teaching methods

A few relevant case histories will be presented together with the development of practical examples aimed at the geotechnical design of main methods and interventions of ground improvement and soil slope stabilization.

 

Assessment methods

The final exam consists of a single oral exam where the student is asked to describe and critically discuss the topics presented during the course.The student is also expected to be able to implement analyses and calculations for the geotechnical design of ground improvement and slope stabilization methods and interventions, with particular reference to the practical examples shown during the course.

Office hours

See the website of Guido Gottardi