Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech

Geotechnics (250230) – Course 2023/24 PDF

Syllabus

Learning Objectives

Students will acquire an understanding of geotechnics, soil mechanics and rock mechanics. They will also learn to solve basic problems related to soil behaviour. Upon completion of the course, students will have acquired the ability to: 1. Solve problems related to flow in saturated porous media and carry out drainage projects at earthworks sites. 2. Solve problems related to the consolidation of low-permeability strata and carry out the basic design of drainage systems in order to speed up the process. 3. Study the failure and in-service performance of soil in basic problems related to foundations and retaining walls. The nature of soils and rocks: identification, basic properties, and hydraulic and mechanical parameters; Flow of water through soil, including the conservation of mass and momentum; Effective stress principle; Application of continuum mechanics to saturated porous media; Calculation of stress trajectories and deformations using invariants; Fundamental constitutive equations; Experimental study of saturated soil by means of oedometric compression tests and triaxial shear tests; Behaviour of unsaturated soils, in particular as relates to compaction; Analysis of soil failure using the theorem of plastic collapse and limit equilibrium; flow-deformation coupling in soil Expected outcomes for student learning: * Knowledge, understanding and reasoning ability and problem solving exercises and behaviors related to soil characteristics (parameters and basic properties, effective stresses, flow and water flow, siphoning, consolidation, deformation and strength ... primarily of saturated soils, but also with an introduction to unsaturated soils) and some key implementation (land thrust, bearing capacity, slope stability). * Knowledge of typical values and orders of magnitude of the variables used and critical capacity of values from them. * Ability to study independently using library resources, teamwork and follow more advanced courses in the field of Soil Mechanics.

Competencies

Especific

Knowledge of soil and rock geotechnics and mechanics and the ability to apply it in carrying out studies, projects, constructions and exploitations in which earthmoving, foundations and retention structures are necessary.

Knowledge of the basic concepts of surface and underground hydrology.

Transversal

EFFICIENT ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION - Level 2. Using strategies for preparing and giving oral presentations. Writing texts and documents whose content is coherent, well structured and free of spelling and grammatical errors.

TEAMWORK - Level 1. Working in a team and making positive contributions once the aims and group and individual responsibilities have been defined. Reaching joint decisions on the strategy to be followed.

EFFECTIVE USE OF INFORMATI0N RESOURCES - Level 3. Planning and using the information necessary for an academic assignment (a final thesis, for example) based on a critical appraisal of the information resources used.

SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING - Level 3. Applying the knowledge gained in completing a task according to its relevance and importance. Deciding how to carry out a task, the amount of time to be devoted to it and the most suitable information sources.

THIRD LANGUAGE. Learning a third language, preferably English, to a degree of oral and written fluency that fits in with the future needs of the graduates of each course.

Total hours of student work

Hours Percentage
Supervised Learning Large group 45h 45.45 %
Medium group 30h 30.30 %
Laboratory classes 15h 15.15 %
Guided Activities 9h 9.09 %
Self Study 126h

Teaching Methodology

The course encourages the participation of students and their work before and after classes. Two thirds of the scheduled hours are typically devoted to more conceptual and theoretical matters while the other third 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, the course includes laboratory sessions (three in total during the year) and, eventually, conferences and technical visits of geotechnical interest, are organized. The invited lecturers or professors helping at laboratory sessions may speak in a different language to the one of the course. In the classes the blackboard and sometimes audiovisual material (Internet, slides or videos) are used. Lab sessions are conducted in the soil mechanics laboratory available in Campus Nord for degree students. 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 can be passed both by continuous assessment taking into account all the activities carried out during the course (exams, laboratory sessions and course work) or by the weighted averaged of the exams marks only. The grade on the continuous assessment (N) is obtained from: - the weighted average of the marks of two exams (Partial EP, Final EF) made during the year in the periods set by the School. - the mark of the coursework (W) that includes solving and submitting an exercise related to each of the subjects of the course (6 in total as maximum) that will be assigned by the course coordinator (individually) - the mark from the report of laboratory practices (L) (3 in total) Each of these activities is graded with a score between 0 and 10. The final grade of the continuous assessment is calculated as follows: N = 0.3*EP + 0.5*EF + 0.1*L + 0.1*W If the student does not follow the continuous assessment process, the mark will be obtained from the exams: E = 0.4*EP + 0.6*EF In any case, it is mandatory to attend the laboratory sessions. If repeating the subject, it is not required to repeat the laboratory sessions again. The final grade (NF) of the course is calculated as follows: NF=max[N,E] The subject is passed whenever NF is equal to or greater than 5.0 Examinations will be held at the dates and times set by the School, will last 3 hours and will consist of a QUESTIONNAIRE of short questions or mini-exercises, and a PRACTICAL EXERCISE. Each of these two parts has the same weight in the mark of the exam. The subject matter for each exam corresponds to the contents from the beginning of the course to the date of the exam. It is mandatory for the continuous assessment: a) to submit exams, including both parts (questionnaire + practical exercise) with a sufficient minimum of elaboration of each part at the discretion of the professor responsible for the subject b) to write and present the coursework (W) c) to perform all 3 laboratory practices and deliver the 3 final reports (L) If these conditions are not satisfied, the final grade will be "NOT PRESENTED" (N = NP) According to Academic Regulations, a re-evaluation test is established for those students who have not obtained an NF-mark equal to or greater than 5.0 as a result of the evaluation process. The maximum grade of the course obtained in the re-evaluation test is 5. The students who have already passed the subject with an NF-mark equal to or greater than 5.0 or those qualified as "NOT PRESENTED" cannot attend the re-evaluation exam. The non-attendance of a student summoned to the re-evaluation test, held in the period set, may not lead to the carrying out of another test at a later date. The re-evaluation test will last 3 hours and will consist of a QUESTIONNAIRE and a set of PRACTICAL EXERCISES. This examination will be held at the date and time set by the School. If the final grade of the re-evaluation test is lower than 5, the final grade of the course will be the maximum grade between the grade obtained previously and the grade obtained in the re-evaluation test, with the description of "suspens" (fail). Special exams will be made for those students who have not been able to carry out some of the exams described because of accredited extraordinary reasons. These special exams must be authorized by the head of studies of the Degree, at the request of the course coordinator, and will be carried out within the corresponding academic term.

Test Rules

Examinations will be held at the dates and times set by the School, will last 3 hours and will consist of a QUESTIONNAIRE of short questions or mini-exercises, and PRACTICAL EXERCISES. The subject matter for each exam corresponds to the contents from the beginning of the course to the date of the exam.

Office Hours

Hours of assistance to students are carried out both during the intervals between classes and through personally agreed hours or agreed hours by e-mail

Bibliography

Basic

Complementary