Unit GEO-ENGINEERING TECHINIQUES FOR SURVEYING AND MONITORING

Course
Geosciences for risk and environment management
Study-unit Code
GP006013
Location
PERUGIA
Curriculum
Geologia applicata alla salvaguardia e alla pianificazione del territorio
Teacher
Lucio Di Matteo
Teachers
  • Lucio Di Matteo
Hours
  • 42 ore - Lucio Di Matteo
CFU
6
Course Regulation
Coorte 2022
Offered
2022/23
Learning activities
Affine/integrativa
Area
Attività formative affini o integrative
Academic discipline
GEO/05
Type of study-unit
Opzionale (Optional)
Type of learning activities
Attività formativa monodisciplinare
Language of instruction
ITALIAN
Contents
In-situ testing for geotechnical investigations. Rock mass characterization and classification. Underground works: methods, techniques and equipment. Seismic response of the soil-foundation-structure system. Methods for monitoring foundation settlements, landslides and aquifers: equipment and applications.
Reference texts
Cestari F. (2005): PROVE GEOTECNICHE IN SITO. Edizioni GEO-GRAPH, Segrate, Milano.
Louis I. González De Vallejo (2005): GEOINGEGNERIA. Pearson Prentice Hall, Milano.
Colombo P., Colleselli F. (2000) - Elementi di Geotecnica, seconda edizione. Zanichelli Editore, Bologna.
Some slides and papers concerning the arguments will be provided by the teacher.
Educational objectives
The course aims to provide students with the concepts of geological and technical surveys, which are helpful for the construction of major engineering works such as roads, tunnels, foundations, etc.
In detail, the students will acquire knowledge on:
- the direct and indirect in situ geotechnical investigations;
- the surveying of rock masses;
- the methods of evaluation of the bearing capacity of shallow foundations, considering the geotechnical parameters and the local seismic response of the site;
- the main laws concerning the profession of the geologist;
- the monitoring techniques of landslides and aquifers.
Students will acquire the following main skills, useful:
- to conduct a critical analysis of geotechnical data acquired through the in situ geotechnical survey, taking into account the pros and cons of each test;
- to prepare geological and geotechnical reports in the framework of the national and international guidelines and regulations;
- to choose the most appropriate surveying techniques and monitoring systems for the site's geological, geotechnical and geomorphological characteristics.
Prerequisites
To follow this course with profit, the student must have basic knowledge of geology and physics, which are helpful to understanding the response of rocks and soils under the effect of engineering works (foundations, tunnels, roads, etc.).
Teaching methods
Teaching consists of classroom lectures and field trips, including activities and visits to construction sites and geotechnical laboratories certified by the “Consiglio Superiore dei Lavori Pubblici”.
Following is a brief description of teaching methods:
- Classroom lectures: the topics are presented to students who are stimulated and involved during the lessons with questions and opinions on the issues discussed.
- Field trip: students are involved in some geotechnical field experiences, including soil identification and description of rocks and soils by using surveying techniques commonly used in engineering geology and hydrogeology. In addition, depending on availability, students will be guided within the construction site and/or landslides area to observe the monitoring systems. The field site provides students with first-hand experience with geotechnical drilling and survey methods.
Other information
The attendance of teaching activities is optional but strongly advised. A scientific calculator and graph paper are required.
Learning verification modality
The exam consists of an oral test (duration: approximately 30 minutes) aiming to ascertain the student's knowledge, skills, and abilities in communicating and interpreting the lithological and geotechnical data required to plan the engineering works. The questions concern the different topics discussed during the course, considering both theoretical and practical aspects.

Information for students with disabilities is available at http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa.
Extended program
- In-situ testing for geotechnical investigations: drilling techniques, static and dynamic penetration tests, field vane test, pressiometer test, dilatometer test, plate load test. The performance of in-situ testing: the role of geological and geotechnical factors. Seismic refraction investigation (an overview). Geotechnical borehole log creation software and software for interpreting dynamic and static Penetration Test data.
- Rock mass characterization: equipment and graphical representation of discontinuities. Rock quality designation (RQD). Rock mass classification (geomechanics classification): Rock Mass Rating (RMR) and Q system. Hoek & Brown method.
- Underground works: methods, techniques and equipment. Temporary and permanent rock support and reinforcement practice. Methods for determination of loads acting on tunnel support (Terzaghi method, distinct element method and the finite element method). Management and re-use of soils and rocks according to D.Lgs. n. 152/2006.
- The subsurface model for engineering purposes: application to engineering works (shallow and deep foundations, tunnels, road alignment, retaining walls, etc.).
- Seismic response of the soil-foundation-structure system. Liquefaction of granular soils and techniques used for reducing liquefaction hazards—seismic zonation studies at macro and micro scale (a case study of the Umbria region). Construction of buildings and civil engineering works in seismic areas: the role played by geologists according to Eurocode 8 and NTC 2008.
- Evaluation of bearing capacity of shallow foundations using Terzaghi, Meyerhof, Vesic and Brinch Hasen methods.
- Calculation of stresses induced inside the soil mass by the foundation loads: Boussinesq's and Newmark's Analyses.
- Main causes of foundation's settlement. Evaluation of building foundation settlement and damage.
- Methods for monitoring foundation settlements (fessurimeters, geodetic measurements). Methods for monitoring aquifers and landslides (piezometers, inclinometers, geodetic measurements, estensimeters, thermographic analysis, GPS observations, laser scanning, SAR-LIDAR data).
- Case studies.
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