Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech

Soil Behaviour and Advanced Modelling (250819) – Course 2025/26 PDF

Syllabus

Learning Objectives

To conceive soils and rocks as porous media governed by Solid and Fluid Mechanics. To characterize the geological environment and its interaction with civil works. To interpret laboratory tests and field observations so as to identify the mechanisms responsible for soil response. To propose testing programmes. To formulate and implement Finite Element and Finite Differences numerical models with the objective to analyze the processes that govern ground response, to interpret field information and to predict soil response. To analyze, discriminate and integrate geological and geotechnical information in studies and projects. To analyze, from the perspective of an expert, cases of failure in Geotechnical Engineering. To report the evidences, identify the mechanisms responsible for the failure and verify using back- analysis models.Eventually provide solutions to risk reduction. (Specific competence of the specialization in Geotechnical Engineering). To use, in a discriminate manner, commercial software for numerical calculations in order to design and eventually monitor geotechnical structures. (Specific competence of the specialization in Geotechnical Engineering). * To apply advanced concepts in continuum media and material mechanics to soils and rocks. * To use advanced behaviour laws to model the stress-deformation response of soils and rocks. * To differentiate the response of laboratory reconstituted soils from that of natural soils. * To correctly interprete the response of the latter. * To use laws of behaviour that include the effect of environmental variables. * To use in a discriminated manner calculation software to model geotechnical engineering problems. - Introduction. Fabric and structure of natural soils. - Laboratory soil testing. Controlling variables. - Theory of plasticity. Hardening and softening. Shear failure criterion. - Behavior of remoulded soil. Critical State theory. Consequences in engineering practice. - Behavior of natural soils. Effect of structure. Elastoplastic modeling. - Irreversible deformations within the limit envelope. Cyclic strain accumulation. Nested plasticity. - Inclusion of environmental variables.

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 hours per week of classroom activity. During the course, 20 hours are devoted to theoretical lectures, in which the teacher presents the basic concepts and topics of the subject, shows examples and solves exercises. 15 hours are devoted to solving practical problems with greater interaction with the students. The objective of these practical exercises is to consolidate the general and specific learning objectives. Support material is provided using the virtual campus ATENEA: detailed teaching plan, content, learning advance plan, evaluation activities 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.

Course mark is computed from the ratings obtained during continuous evaluation activities and evaluation tests. Continuous evaluation consists in several additive and training activities carried out during the year in and out of the classroom. They are realized individually or in group. Evaluation tests consist of questions on concepts associated with knowledge/understanding learning objectives, completed by several application exercises.

Test Rules

Any continuous evaluation activity not presented in the scheduled period will be granted with a null mark.

Office Hours

Out-of-room meetings are scheduled by agreement with the teacher

Bibliography

Basic