B5947 - GEOLOGIA APPLICATA E GEOMECCANICA

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will have acquired the knowledge and skills required to collect, interpret, and represent geological, geotechnical, and geomechanical data for the principal applications of engineering geology. In particular, students will be able to: * plan and present a geological site investigation programme, including geotechnical field testing, for the development of a geological and geotechnical ground model; * describe soils and rocks from borehole cores and rock outcrops, including the assessment of the degree of weathering of rock masses; * understand the operating principles of the equipment used for in-situ geotechnical testing and interpret the resulting data; * distinguish the fundamental aspects governing the mechanical behavior of intact rock and rock masses, considering both discontinuous media and equivalent continuum approaches; * carry out geomechanical surveys for rock mass characterization; * classify rock masses using the main geomechanical classification schemes and derive the corresponding mechanical parameters; * use stereographic projection techniques to perform kinematic analyses of the most common rock slope instability mechanisms; * appreciate the role and potential of the principal monitoring techniques based on both direct measurements and remote sensing methods.

Course contents

The course covers the following topics:

• Representation of geological and geotechnical data for the main engineering geological applications.
• Planning of geological and geotechnical site investigation campaigns: drilling techniques, borehole investigations, core logging, common interpretation issues, soil and rock sampling, sampling methods and equipment, sample disturbance.
• In-situ geotechnical testing: operating principles, measured and derived parameters, interpretation of test results and determination of geotechnical parameters (field vane shear test, Standard Penetration Test – SPT, Dynamic Probing – DP, Cone Penetration Test – CPT/CPTU, Flat Dilatometer Test – DMT, Pressuremeter Test, Plate Load Test).
• Development of the geological and geotechnical model.
• Principles of monitoring for geological and geotechnical applications, including an overview of direct and remote monitoring techniques.
• Geomechanical surveying for rock mass characterization.
• Shear strength and deformability of intact rock, discontinuities, and rock masses.
• Stereographic projection techniques for the identification of discontinuity sets and kinematic analyses of the most common rock slope failure mechanisms.
• Rock mass classification systems (RMR, Q-system, GSI) and derivation of engineering parameters for deformability and shear strength.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture slides and teaching materials provided by the instructor.

Knappett, J.A. & Craig, R.F. (2020). Craig's Soil Mechanics. 9th Edition. E & FN Spon.

Recommended chapters:

• Chapter 6 – Ground Investigation
• Chapter 7 – In-situ Testing

Hoek, E. (2023). Practical Rock Engineering. Available online at:
https://www.rocscience.com/learning/hoeks-corner

Recommended chapters:

• Chapter 2 – What is Rock Engineering?
• Chapter 3 – Intact Rock Strength
• Chapter 4 – Shear Strength of Discontinuities
• Chapter 5 – Rock Mass Properties
• Chapter 12 – Rock Mass Classification

Teaching methods

The course consists of lectures, practical classes, and field excursions.

Throughout the course, students will examine and interpret examples of geological site investigation data, in-situ geotechnical test results, and geomechanical surveys collected in different geological settings. These datasets will be processed and interpreted during practical sessions.

Students are expected to use their own laptops during the practical classes and will be provided with dedicated software by the instructor.

Given the nature of the teaching activities, attendance requires completion of Modules 1 and 2 of the University's e-learning health and safety training, as well as participation in Module 3 on specific health and safety training for study environments. Information on dates and attendance procedures for Module 3 is available in the dedicated section of the Degree Programme website.

Assessment methods

Assessment consists of an oral examination including both theoretical questions and practical exercises involving the interpretation of geological and geotechnical investigation data.

The examination assesses the student's:

1. knowledge of the principles underlying the planning of geological, geotechnical, and geomechanical site investigation campaigns;
2. knowledge of investigation, surveying, and monitoring techniques and procedures;
3. ability to interpret data obtained from site investigations, surveys, and monitoring activities;
4. appropriate use of technical and scientific terminology.

Students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the University's dedicated support office as early as possible ( [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it]). The office will propose any necessary accommodations, which must be submitted to the instructor at least 15 days before the examination. Approval will be granted where the requested accommodations are compatible with the intended learning outcomes of the course.

Teaching tools

Additional teaching materials complementing the recommended textbooks will be provided electronically by the instructor.

In addition to standard teaching facilities (including multimedia presentations, photographs, and videos), students will use their own laptops together with dedicated software supplied by the instructor during practical sessions.

The course also includes seminars delivered by experts on selected topics within the field.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Simoni