B5611 - GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN OF COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURES

Learning outcomes

The course offers a geomechanical perspective on nearshore processes and shoreline evolution, coastal infrastructure design, monitoring and risk assessment, in the context of a changing climate. At the end of the course the students will be able to develop a suitable geotechnical model based on site characterisation and field measurements. The students will also tackle the analysis of geotechnical solutions that aim at mitigating the coastal erosion and providing protection against the sea level rise.

Course contents

The course is divided into three complementary modules addressing coastal geotechnical processes, ground investigation, and the design of resilient coastal infrastructures.

1. Coastal geotechnics and climate change: coastal environments, geotechnical challenges, types of coastal infrastructures, and climate-change effects on coastal systems.

2. Coastal soils and site investigation: planning of geotechnical investigations in coastal areas; SPT, CPT, and overview of additional in-situ testing methods.

3. Geotechnical design of coastal infrastructures: limit-state design principles; shallow and deep foundations, pile groups, waterfront structures, breakwaters, seawalls, and seepage analysis.

Readings/Bibliography

The documents for supporting the learning process will be made available to the students during the course.

Teaching methods

The lectures are presented with slides and integrated by board demonstrations. Practical examples are illustrated throughout the course.

Assessment methods

The competences acquired during the course will be assessed through an oral exam about the course's contents.

Higher grades will be awarded to students who can demonstrate an organic understanding of the subject, a capacity of presenting the course contents in a clear and concise way and an ability of critically discussing the results achieved. To obtain a passing grade, students are required to show their knowledge of at least the key concepts of the subject, some ability for their critical application and a correct use of technical language.

Office hours

See the website of Alessio Mentani