Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech

Aquifer Mechanics (250821) – 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 calculate, evaluate, plan and regulate surface and groundwater resources.(Specific competence of the specialization in Groundwater Hydrology). To model, assess and manage geological resources, including mineral and thermal groundwater. (Specific competence of the specialization in Groundwater Hydrology). * To manipulate the theoretical concepts of multiphase flow, heat flow and reactive transportation. * To manipulate the theoretical concepts in geo-statistics. * To analyze the stochastic data in hydrology and hydrogeology. * To analyze the flow and reactive transportation processes in aquifers. * To calculate the groundwater balance. * To carry out practical aquifer reloading calculations. * To apply hydrogeochemical and isotopic techniques to the study of aquifer reloading. * To suggest general studies in groundwater hydrology. - Analysis of flow and transport processes in saturated and unsaturated zones. - Analysis of conservative transport processes in aquifers. - Analysis of reactive transport processes in aquifers. - Application to real cases.

Competencies

Especific

To conceive soils and rocks as porous media governed by Solid and Fluid Mechanics.

To interpret laboratory tests and field observations so as to identify the mechanisms responsible for soil response. To propose laboratory 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 calculate, evaluate, plan and regulate surface and groundwater resources.(Specific competence of the specialization in Groundwater Hydrology).

To model, assess and manage geological resources, including mineral and thermal groundwater. (Specific competence of the specialization in Groundwater Hydrology).

Generic

To apply advanced knowledge in sciences and technology to the profesional or research practice.

To lead, coordinate and develop integrated projects in Geo-Engineering.

To identify and design solutions for geo-engineering problems within ethical, social and legislative frameworks.

To evaluate the impact of Geo-engineering on environment, sustainable social development and the significance of working within reliable and consciensous profesional environment.

To incorporate new techncologies and advanced tools in Geo-engineering into profesional and research activities.

To conceive Geo-engineering as a multi-disciplinary field that includes relevant aspects from geology, sismology, hydrogeology, geotechnical and earthquake engineering, geomechanics, physics of porous media, geophysics, geomatics, natural hazard, energy and climate interactions.

To promote innovation for the development of methodology, analyses and solutions in Geo-engineering

To tackle and solve advanced mathematical problems in engineering from the drafting of the problem to the development of formulation and further implementation in computer programs. Particularly, to formulate, code and apply analytical and numerical advanced computational tools to project calculations in order to plan and manage them as well as to interpret results in the context of Geo-engineering and Mining engineering.

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 1,8 hours per week of classroom activity (large size group) and 0,3 hours weekly with half the students (medium size group). The 1,8 hours in the large size groups are devoted to theoretical lectures, in which the teacher presents the basic concepts and topics of the subject, shows examples and solves exercises. The 0,3 hours in the medium size groups is 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. The rest of weekly hours devoted to laboratory practice. 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.

Grading Rules

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

The mark of the course is obtained from the ratings of continuous assessment and their corresponding laboratories and/or classroom computers. Continuous assessment consist in several activities, both individually and in group, of additive and training characteristics, carried out during the year (both in and out of the classroom). The teachings of the laboratory grade is the average in such activities. The evaluation tests consist of a part with questions about concepts associated with the learning objectives of the course with regard to knowledge or understanding, and a part with a set of application exercises.

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.

Bibliography

Basic