Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech

Geotechnical Engineering (2500031) – Course 2025/26 PDF

Syllabus

Learning Objectives

Soil recognition. Function and type of foundations. Shallow foundations. Deep foundations. Function and type of retaining structures. Walls. Sheet pile walls. Numerical methods in Geotechnics. Instrumentation of geotechnical structures. Soil improvements. Examples of foundations in special cases. 1 Ability to carry out the construction project of a shallow foundation structure from a geological-geotechnical report. 2 Ability to carry out the construction project of a deep foundation structure based on a geological-geotechnical report. 3 Ability to project a retaining structure including stability and serviceability analysis. Application of geotechnical and mechanical knowledge of soils and rocks in the development of studies, projects, constructions and explotations in which earthmoving, foundations and retaining structures are necessary. Knowledge of terrain recognition. Knowledge of the behavior of shallow foundations including calculation of bearing and settlement capacity, desgining and testing. Knowledge of the behavior of deep foundations including calculation of bearing and settlement capacity, designing and testing. Knowledge of the theory of earth thrust for its application to the calculation of thrusts in retaining structures. Knowledge of the behavior of rigid and flexible retaining structures including drainage, instrumentation control, anchoring elements, as well as stability and in-service analysis. Expected outcomes for student learning: * Knowledge, understanding and reasoning ability and solving exercises and problems with manual and computer calculation and design of actual basic cases of shallow and deep foundations and retaining structures (walls and sheet pile walls) with different water and load states and stratigraphy, knowledge, understanding and reasoning abilities of complementary aspects such as soil exploration, instrumentation or improvement, and several examples of foundations in special cases as large span bridges or buildings of great height. Rock mechanics and underground excavations, basic concepts. * Knowledge of typical values and orders of magnitude of the variables used and critical capacity of values for them. * Capability of independent study, use of library resources, teamwork and of following more advanced courses in the field of geotechnical engineering.

Competencies

Especific

Knowledge of geotechnics and mechanics of soils and rocks as well as their application in the development of studies, projects, constructions and farms where it is necessary to carry out earthworks, foundations and containment structures. (Common module to the Civil branch)

Capacity for the construction of geotechnical works. (Specific technology module: Civil Construction)

Generic

Scientific-technical training for the exercise of the profession of Technical Engineer of Public Works and knowledge of the functions of advice, analysis, design, calculation, project, construction, maintenance, conservation and exploitation.

Ability to project, inspect and direct works, in their field.

Identify, formulate and solve engineering problems. Pose and solve construction engineering problems with initiative, decision-making skills and creativity. Develop a systematic and creative method of analysis and problem solving. (Additional school competition).

Total hours of student work

Hours Percentage
Supervised Learning Large group 22.5h 50.00 %
Medium group 22.5h 50.00 %
Self Study 67.5h

Teaching Methodology

The course is taught trying to encourage the participation of students and their work before and after classes. Two of the three scheduled weekly hours are typically devoted to more conceptual and theoretical matters while the other is focused to more practical aspects and to solve exercises and problems. During the classes not the whole subject is taught and they actually focus on the issues of greater importance and difficulty, leaving the rest for the personal work of students using the additional documentation provided in the context of the subject. Additionally, voluntary sessions for discussing questions that the students may have and, eventually, conferences and technical visits of geotechnical interest, are organized. In the classes the blackboard and sometimes audiovisual material (Internet, slides or videos) are used. Besides, the students have to develop two assignments related to the manual and computer calculation of geotechnical practical cases developed in small groups. Although most of the sessions will be given in the language indicated, sessions supported by other occasional guest experts may be held in other languages.

Grading Rules

The evaluation calendar and grading rules will be approved before the start of the course.

The subject is evaluated through two partial tests that contribute 50% to the final grade. Those students whose mark in the first partial is less than 2.5 will be evaluated in the second exam of the whole subject. During the development of the subject, exercises will be proposed whose resolution can contribute to the final grade, raising the one obtained from the exams. Qualification and admission criteria for reassessment: Students who have failed the ordinary assessment and have regularly taken the assessment tests for the failed subject will have the option of taking a reassessment test within the period set in the academic calendar. Students who have already passed it or students qualified as not presented may not take the reassessment test of a subject. The maximum grade in the case of taking the reassessment exam will be five (5.0). The non-attendance of a student summoned to the re-evaluation test, held within the set period, may not lead to another test being held at a later date. Extraordinary evaluations will be carried out for those students who, due to accredited force majeure, have not been able to take any of continuous assessment tests. These tests must be authorized by the corresponding head of studies, at the request of the professor responsible for the subject, and will be carried out within the corresponding school period.

Test Rules

The tests rules are available at a specific document on the subject Internet website with a complete explanation of the evaluation procedure. The continuous and overall evaluation tests are of multi-choice type and the computer assignments must be developed in group using computer programs applied to specific geotechnical practical cases that must be submitted in time and with a specific format. For any of the possible procedures to pass the subject a minimum grade of 5 out of 10 must be reached.

Office Hours

The hours are carried out both during the intervals between classes and through personally or by e-mail agreed hours

Bibliography

Basic

Complementary