Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech

Infrastructure Conservation (2500054) – Course 2025/26 PDF

Syllabus

Learning Objectives

Knowledge on surface characteristics of the pavement. Common types of damage and their causes. Auscultation of firm. Conservation actions. Design pavement reinforcements. Extension of asphalt mixtures design. Extension of pavement design. Introduction to the conservation of railways. 1 Ability to analyze the mechanisms and agents of deterioration and the types of pavements and modes of deterioration. Auscultation, visual inspection, evaluation of the functional and structural characteristics of the pavement. 2 Capacity to analyze the conservation, surface rehabilitation and structural reinforcement of a pavement. 3 Ability to establish firm management systems. Knowledge of the road network in Spain, its condition and conservation needs. Knowledge of the structural and surface characteristics of a road network. Analysis of the mechanisms and agents of deterioration and the types of pavements and modes of deterioration. Knowledge of auscultation, visual inspection, evaluation of the functional and structural characteristics of the pavement. Conservation, surface rehabilitation and structural reinforcement concept. Knowledge of pavement management systems.

Competencies

Especific

Capacity for the construction and conservation of roads, as well as for the dimensioning, the project and the elements that make up the basic road equipment. (Specific technology module: Urban Transport and Services)

Capacity for the construction and conservation of railway lines with knowledge to apply specific technical regulations and differentiating the characteristics of the mobile material. (Specific technology module: Urban Transport and Services)

Knowledge of the urban management regulation framework. (Specific technology module: Urban Transport and Services)

Knowledge of the influence of infrastructure in the planning of the territory and to participate in the urbanization of urban public space, such as water distribution, sanitation, waste management, transport systems, traffic, lighting, etc. (Specific technology module: Urban Transport and Services)

Knowledge of the design and operation of infrastructures for modal exchange, such as ports, airports, railway stations and transport logistics centers. (Specific technology module: Urban Transport and Services)

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.

Ability to carry out territorial planning studies and environmental aspects related to infrastructure, in its field.

Capacity for maintenance, conservation and exploitation of infrastructure, in its field.

Knowledge of the history of civil engineering and training to analyze and assess public works in particular and construction in general.

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).

Conceive, project, manage and maintain systems in the field of construction engineering. Cover the entire life cycle of an infrastructure or system or service in the field of construction engineering. (Additional school competition).

Total hours of student work

Hours Percentage
Supervised Learning Large group 45h 100.00 %
Self Study 67.5h

Teaching Methodology

The course consists of 3 hours per week of classroom activity. The large group sessions are devoted to both theoretical sessions, in which the professor explains the content and the fundamental theoretical concepts of the subject, and to the presentation of examples, as well as the resolution of practical exercises. Additionally, part of teaching hours will dedicated to laboratory practices. The remaining hours per week are dedicated to evaluation. Support material in the form of a detailed teaching plan is provided using the virtual campus ATENEA: content, program of learning and assessment activities conducted and literature. 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 final grade for the course will be calculated based on the scores obtained in: theoretical exams, the directed activity, and laboratory sessions. - Theoretical exams: consist of two midterms, each contributing 50% to the theory grade. The weighted average of both will account for 75% of the final grade. - Directed activity: will be presented and defended in class. Its grade will represent 10% of the final mark. - Laboratory sessions: include the submission and defense of a final report. Attendance at the lab sessions is mandatory. They will count for 15% of the final grade. Therefore, the final grade for the course will be obtained according to the following formula: GRADE = 0.75 × Theoretical exams grade + 0.10 × Directed activity grade + 0.15 × Laboratory work grade To pass the course the final grade should be greater than or equal to 5. Criteria for re-evaluation qualification and eligibility: Students that failed the ordinary evaluation and have regularly attended all evaluation tests will have the opportunity of carrying out a re-evaluation test during the period specified in the academic calendar. Students who have already passed the test or were qualified as non-attending or have not presented all the assigned tasks, will not be admitted to the re-evaluation test. The maximum mark for the re-evaluation exam will be five over ten (5.0) and it will be only given by the mark obtained in the exam. The non-attendance of a student to the re-evaluation test, in the date specified will not grant access to further re-evaluation tests. Students unable to attend any of the continuous assessment tests due to certifiable force majeure will be ensured extraordinary evaluation periods.These tests must be authorized by the corresponding Head of Studies, at the request of the professor responsible for the course, and will be carried out within the corresponding academic period.

Test Rules

Unjustified absence from laboratory sessions will result in a grade of zero for the percentage corresponding to this activity. Failure to perform a continuous assessment activity in the scheduled period will result in a mark of zero in that activity.

Bibliography

Basic

Complementary

  • Rashad Islam, M.; Terefder, R.A. Pavement design: materials, analysis, and highways. New York: McGraw Hill, 2020. ISBN 9781260458916.
  • Solminihac T., H. de; Echaveguren, T.; Chamorro, M.A. Gestión de infraestructura vial. 3a ed. Santiago, Vhile: Ediciones Universidad Católica de Chile, 2018. ISBN 9789561422759.