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

1. Geotechnical Site Investigation

Objectives and planning of site investigations for coastal areas. Soil sampling techniques. In-situ testing methods: Standard Penetration Test (SPT); Cone Penetration Test (CPT); overview of additional field tests.

2. Groundwater Conditions in Coastal Areas

Pore water pressure in saturated soils. Classification and behaviour of groundwater flow. Two-dimensional steady-state seepage analysis. Field instrumentation for pore water pressure measurements and data interpretation.

3. Geotechnical Solutions for Coastal Erosion Mitigation

Overview of coastal erosion processes and geotechnical challenges. Analytical stability analysis of coastal protection works. Introduction to geotechnical aspects of land reclamation and bank protection projects.

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