Geomechanics of Breakage (250421) – Course 2024/25 PDF
Syllabus
Learning Objectives
Specialization subject in which knowledge on specific competences is intensified. Knowledge and skills at specialization level that permit the development and application of techniques and methodologies at advanced level. Contents of specialization at master level related to research or innovation in the field of engineering. In geotechnics, as well as in other fields of science and engineering, errors, especially when they have catastrophic consequences, become a valuable experience and frequently a source of inspiration for further study and development of available tools for the analysis and prediction of this kind of events. The failures were key for the development of theories and allowed understanding and determining the essential aspects and their role on the stability of structures and the natural environment. The aim of this course is to apply the basic and essential concepts of soil and rock mechanics to the study of past catastrophes. The term "catastrophe" is used in engineering to indicate that the objectives established were not met, so that it includes not only failures with severe consequences (such as de Vaiont case, which amounted to 2000 casualties) but also those structures that for different reasons do not adequately meet the needs they were designed for (such as the Tower of Pisa, whose tilting was not foreseen in the project. During the sessions, each of the case stories will be described, from more to less complex, by means of a simple analysis respecting the essential aspects. This first step is in itself already a great geotechnical exercise, in fact, it is one of the most important and key to understanding a case study, as it requires the definition of a conceptual model based on accepted theories that do not exclude any essential aspect. From there, the basic principles will be applied to develop a theory that explains the failure. This will demonstrate how the causes of these catastrophes can be explained with the knowledge on soil and rock mechanics, as well as, other specialties related to civil engineering (continuum and fluid mechanics, structures, and numerical methods) acquired during previous degree studies. This knowledge aims to allow understanding or avoiding possible future geotechnical catastrophes. The use of numerical methods or turnkey programs, such as finite elements, is discouraged because the objective is for the student to be able to follow step by step all the analysis and to understand the concepts and tools used. Particularly, this course allows the student - Knowing in detail, from the point-of-view of an expert in geotechnics, well-known catastrophes that were key in the progress of the field. - Knowing in detail the causes that lead to these failures - Review and extend those concepts taught during the degree on soil and rock mechanics, calculation, numerical methods, structures, and continuous media, and apply them to case studies. - Learning to isolate the essential aspects from the complexity associated with case studies and thus be able to focus on the analysis. - Encouraging the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to different fields as best as possible to achieve the established goal - Interpreting available data and scientifically justifying these data using the theories accepted by the scientific community and learned during the degree.
Competencies
Especific
The ability to apply knowledge of soil and rock mechanics to the study, design, construction and operation of foundations, cuts, fills, tunnels and other constructions over or through land, whatever its nature and state, and whatever the purpose of the work.
Transversal
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION: Being aware of and understanding the mechanisms on which scientific research is based, as well as the mechanisms and instruments for transferring results among socio-economic agents involved in research, development and innovation processes.
SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT: Being aware of and understanding the complexity of the economic and social phenomena typical of a welfare society, and being able to relate social welfare to globalisation and sustainability and to use technique, technology, economics and sustainability in a balanced and compatible manner.
TEAMWORK: Being able to work in an interdisciplinary team, whether as a member or as a leader, with the aim of contributing to projects pragmatically and responsibly and making commitments in view of the resources that are available.
Total hours of student work
| Hours | Percentage | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supervised Learning | Large group | 25.5h | 56.67 % | |
| Medium group | 9.8h | 21.67 % | ||
| Laboratory classes | 9.8h | 21.67 % | ||
| Self Study | 80h | |||
Teaching Methodology
The course consists of 3 in-class hours per week in which all available information on the cases will be exposed and then analysed following these steps: - Description of the case - Theory used - Analysis of the case - Corrective measures - Lessons learned Each case will be solved step by step and in detail so that the student will be able to understand the hypotheses accepted, the applied theory pre-established and the theoretical and numerical developments used to understand what happened in each case. Practical classes will be given in which the students will solve geotechnical problems following the analysis carried out in other cases during the course. 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 course will be evaluated taking into account two tests taken during the course and practical exercises. The first test will be held at mid-term (E1) and the other one at the end of the term (E2). Both tests will evaluate the knowledge of the students with regards to what has been taught by the time of the test is scheduled. The final result will be the maximum score of the second test plus the weighted mean of both tests (the first test will weight 40% and the second test will weight 60%). Final test result = max. (0.4 * Result of E1 + 0.6 * Result of E2 ; ResultE2) The practical exercises will be evaluated independently. The final mark will be calculated as a weighted average of the marks of exams (weight of 80%) and practical exercises (weight of 20%).
Test Rules
Failure to perform a laboratory or continuous assessment activity in the scheduled period will result in a mark of zero in that activity.
Office Hours
After class
Bibliography
Basic
- Puzrin, A.M.; Alonso, E.E.; Pinyol, N.M. Geomechanics of failures. Dordrecht: Springer, 2010. ISBN 9789048135301.
- Alonso, E.E.; Pinyol, N.M.; Puzrin, A.M. Geomechanics of failures: advanced topics. Dordrecht: Springer, 2010. ISBN 9789048135370.
- Ishibachi, I.; Hazarika, H. Soil Mechanics Fundamentals. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2019. ISBN 9781482250411.
- Ng, Charles W.W.; Simons, N.E.; Menzies, B. A short course in soil-structure engineering of deep foundations, excavations and tunnels. London: Thomas Telford, 2004. ISBN 9780727732637.
Complementary
- Verruijt, A. Soil mechanics. Delft: Delf University of Technology, 2012. ISBN 9065620583.
- Muir Wood, D. Soil behaviour and critical state soil mechanics. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1990. ISBN 0521337828.