48
Geotechnics
REGGIO DI CALABRIA
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The student will be able to describe and solve problems that require an interdisciplinary approach in geotechnical engineering. He will be able to transfer his acquired knowledge, express opinions and provide design solutions to both specialists and non-specialists. He must be able to produce technical reports on the activities, present the results, and work well in the design and management workgroups.
Course Prerequisites
A prerequisite for this course is Soil Mechanics knowledge.
Teaching Methods
The acquisition of such knowledge and ability will be through attendance of theoretical and practical lessons and using advanced texts.
Assessment Methods
The exam consists of an oral test covering the topics discussed during the course. The test will include questions related to the course content described in the syllabus. The test aims to assess the acquired knowledge, the ability to apply the knowledge in a professional context, and the capacity to understand and discern the limits and conditions of the technical solutions studied.
The grading criteria for the final score will follow the following evaluation criteria:
30 - 30 with honours: complete, in-depth, and critical knowledge of the topics, excellent language proficiency, full and original interpretative skills, and the ability to independently apply knowledge to solve proposed problems.
26 - 29: complete and in-depth knowledge of the topics, strong language proficiency, effective interpretative skills, and ability to independently apply knowledge to solve proposed problems.
24 - 25: knowledge of the topics with a good degree of learning, good language proficiency, correct and confident interpretative skills, the ability to correctly apply most of the knowledge to solve proposed problems.
21 - 23: adequate knowledge of the topics, but a lack of mastery, satisfactory language proficiency, correct interpretative skills, and limited ability to independently apply knowledge to solve the proposed problems.
18 - 20: basic knowledge of the main topics, basic understanding of technical language, sufficient interpretative skills, the ability to apply acquired basic knowledge.
Insufficient: does not possess an acceptable knowledge of the topics covered during the course.
Texts
BARLA M. (2010) Elementi di Meccanica e Ingegneria delle Rocce, Celid Ed.
ROBERT D. HOLTZ & WILLIAM D. KOVACS & THOMAS C. (1981) An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering. Prentice-Hall Ed.
HAUSMANN M.R. (1990) Engineering principles of ground modification, McGraw-Hill Pub Co.
HOEK E. & BRAY J.W. (1991) Rock Slope Engineering, E & FN Spon
MOSELEY M.P. & KIRSCH K. (2004) Ground Improvement, Taylor & Francis ed.
Contents
The course aims to provide the knowledge of the geotechnical problems related to the soil and rock improvement.
The student will be able to apply knowledge of ground improvement techniques to deal with design problems competently and professionally.
The first part of the course introduces the principles of rock engineering theory and practice. The lectures introduce concepts of rock discontinuity orientation, stereographic projections, selection of proper failure criteria, concepts and application of rock mass classification schemes, types of failure, and processing and interpretation of structural geology data for the purpose of stability analysis of rock slopes. Analytical procedures are presented for simple failure geometries for plane failure, wedge failure and toppling, including the use of methods to identify, analyse and improve potential failure geometries.
The second part of the course covers important design and construction aspects associated with various soil improvement techniques, including pre-loading, vertical drains, compaction, vibroflotation, stone columns, and geosynthetics engineering. Each technique is dealt with in a way that refers to principles, state-of-the-art and case histories.
Detailed course program
CLASSIFICATION OF GROUND MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES.
FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGINEERING ROCK MECHANICS. Rock formations and types. Geological structures and discontinuities. Intact rock. Stress-strain curve in uniaxial compression. Strength and deformation characteristics of rocks. Laboratory and empirical testing. Failure criteria of rock mass. Discontinuities. Geometrical, mechanical and hydraulic properties of discontinuities. Spherical presentation of geological data. Rock discontinuity shear strength. Rock mass classification and engineering design. Rock quality designation index (RQD). Rock mass rating system (RMR). Q-system (Q). Geological Strength Index (GSI). Landslide classification. Slope movement and analysis types. Stability analysis methods. Slope failure mechanisms and kinematic analysis. Stabilization and protection methods. Support and reinforcement system. Active and passive reinforcements
MECHANICAL MODIFICATION. Compaction. Theory of compaction. Properties and structure of compacted cohesive soils. Effect of compaction on engineering behaviour. Field compaction equipment and procedures. Field compaction control and specifications. Deep soil compaction. Sand Compaction Piles and Stone Columns. Injection grouting. Soil freezing.
HYDRAULIC MODIFICATION. Pre-loading techniques. Vertical drain. Radial consolidation theory (Barron). Smear and well resistance effect. Hansbo’s theory. Band drains.
GEOSYNTHETICS FOR SOIL REINFORCEMENT. Geosynthetic functions and engineering application. Polymers. Type of geosynthetics. Reinforcing concept. Reinforcement effect. Soil-reinforcement strain compatibility analysis. Earth Retaining Walls: function principles and construction methods. Mechanical behaviour of geosynthetics. Design tensile strength. Tensile creep effect. Soil-reinforcement interaction. Determination of design parameters by means of experimental procedure. Design of reinforced embankments over soft foundation soils.