96974 - Irrigation and Drainage Systems for Green Areas

Learning outcomes

The students acquire the basic concepts of soil hydrology and the technical-scientific aspects for an assessment of problems in water management. Furthermore, the student can define and design the most suitable irrigation and drainage systems to address the problems encountered specifically in the green sector.

Course contents

Teaching unit 1 - Basic concept in hydrology

• Basic concepts and definition of fundamental quantities in hydrology. Instruments and sensors. Agro-hydrological modeling.

Skills acquired unit 1

• The student has the basic concepts in hydrology to address the issues related to water management, in particular in urban and peri-urban green environments.

Teaching unit 2 - Water stress and irrigation

• Soil hydrology, water requirements, water volume.
• Gravitational irrigation methods (flood, infiltration and submersion), under pressure (sprinkling, micro-irrigation)
• Exercises for the estimation of water and irrigation needs and for the design of a system

Skills acquired unit 2

• The student knows the characteristics of the different irrigation techniques and is able to choose the most suitable irrigation technique for the different contexts.
• The student knows the criteria for calculating the main irrigation and design variables.

Teaching unit 3 - Excess water and drainage

• Relationship between water and drainage practice
• Classification of the types of drainage and their respective use
• Purpose and importance for anti-erosion and hydrological purposes
• Solutions for the removal of excess water in urban and peri-urban contexts

Skills acquired unit 3

• The student is able to identify the characteristic elements of both a superficial and an underground drainage system.
• The student recognizes the most suitable accommodation for draining excess water.

Readings/Bibliography

The reference material is distributed by the teacher based on the online system of the University platform (Insegnamenti OnLine) and lecture notes.

In the case of further information on the topics covered in class, the following references can be consulted:

• Santelli P. (2019). Drip irrigation systems for agricultural crops. Dario Flaccovio Publisher. ISBN 9788857910277
• Santelli P. (2016). Irrigation methods and techniques for ornamental greenery. Dario Flaccovio Publisher. ISBN 9788857905792
• Capra A., Scicolone B. 2007. Design and management of irrigation systems. Criteria for use and valorisation of water for irrigation use. 2nd edition: 2016, Edagricole. ISBN 978-88-506-5494-9

Teaching methods

The course is divided into three teaching units. After a first theoretical introduction on the characteristics of the system and its processes, the course focuses on the issues of irrigation and drainage in the context of green areas. Each unit is organized in lectures, discussion of case studies and computer exercises.

Assessment methods

The knowledge and skills acquired during this course are assessed according to the following methods: preparation of a short report and final exam that verifies the acquisition of the expected knowledge and skills through the performance of an oral test (lasting about 30 minutes) in the course of which the student will have to present some topics among those indicated in the program. The exam can be held in English

Teaching tools

PowerPoint slides, whiteboard, computer, teaching material, seminar.

Office hours

See the website of Gabriele Baroni