72793 - Environmental Hydraulics M

Academic Year 2021/2022

Learning outcomes

After passing the final exam, the student gains a deeper understanding of processes related to fluid flow in natural systems. Moreover, he is able to apply tools aimed at assessing water system vulnerability to natural and anthropic pressures.

Course contents

Requirements/Prior knowledge

A prior knowledge and understanding of principles of fluid mechanics is required to attend with profit this course.

Fluent spoken and written Italian is a necessary pre-requisite: all lectures and tutorials and all study material will be in Italian.

Course Contents

Lectures include:

- LEARNING MODULE 1 (6 CFU, 48 HOURS)

  • Basics of flow and transport processes in natural domains.

  • Numerical approaches for the solution of flow and transport problems: examples of numerical schemes and use of dedicated software.

  • Modeling under uncertainty. Risk analysis and basics of simulations techniques. Sensitivity analysis.

  • Analysis of case studies.

- LEARNING MODULE 2 (3 CFU, 24 HOURS)

  • Dimensionless numbers and laws of similarity for model tests in hydraulics.

  • Basics of hydraulic measures.

  • Fundamentals of fluvial morphodynamics and solid transport.

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching material is provided on the platform "Virtuale". This material covers the whole content of the course and it is updated every year.

In addition, students may refer to the following books:

Armanini, Principi di idraulica fluviale, Bios, 2005.

Fetter C.W., Applied Hydrogeology, Fourth Edition, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2001.

Fetter C.W., Contaminant Hydrogeology, Waveland Pr Inc; 2 Har/Cdr edizione, 2008.

Teaching methods

Class hours consist of regular lectures. Case studies are examined during the lectures and exercises are proposed to students. Laboratory hours, held at the Hydraulic Engineering Lab, aim at illustrating advanced measurement tools employed in hydraulic engineering.

Assessment methods

Achievements will be assessed by the means of a final exam. This is based on an analytical assessment of the expected learning outcomes described above. In order to properly assess such achievement, an oral examination is administered. This consists of 3 questions about theoretical aspects and practical applications discussed during the class. Key concepts of the class regard modelling strategies to interpret flow and transport processes in natural systems.

Higher grades will be awarded to students who demonstrate an organic understanding of the subject, a high ability for critical application, and a clear and concise presentation of the contents. To obtain a passing grade, students are required to at least demonstrate a knowledge of the key concepts of the subject, some ability for critical application, and a comprehensible use of technical language. A failing grade will be awarded if the student shows knowledge gaps in key-concepts of the subject, inappropriate use of language, and/or logic failures in the analysis of the subject.

Teaching tools

PC, projector.

Office hours

See the website of Valentina Ciriello

See the website of Vittorio Di Federico

SDGs

Clean water and sanitation Sustainable cities Climate Action

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.