Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech

Stability of Natural and Artificial Slopes (250MEG011) – Course 2025/26 PDF

Syllabus

Learning Objectives

Provide the ability to: 1) Understand: ● The types of slope movements and their distinguishing characteristics. ● Evidences of instability and stability of slopes and natural hillsides. ● The strength properties of soils and rocks, sampling procedures, and tests to determine the various types of material strength. ● Instrumentation and monitoring techniques for slope movements. ● Methods for stability analysis and mobility analysis of slope movements. ● Stabilization, containment, and protection techniques. ● Methods for quantitative hazard and risk assessment. 2) Integrate this knowledge to plan and carry out an efficient risk assessment and risk reduction campaign for each unstable slope or hillside, specifically planning and carrying out: ● The geological-geotechnical reconnaissance campaign: a) identifying evidence of instability and stability and the failure and propagation mechanisms; b) formulating initial hypotheses about the geometry and location of the failure surface(s); c) identifying the most critical materials, sample locations, and types of tests to be performed; d) defining the most efficient reconnaissance, instrumentation, and monitoring techniques to be used; and e) defining the geological-geotechnical model of the hillside or hillside and the movement activity. ● The quantitative analysis of the existing risk: a) analyzing the results of the reconnaissance in an integrated manner; b) identifying the parameters, variables, and mechanical and hydrological boundary conditions that are most critical for stability and mobility; c) selecting the most efficient stability analysis method and the most efficient mobility analysis method based on the available data; d) identifying the methods to be used to determine the probability of instability occurring and its hazard; e) identifying the exposed elements, their vulnerability, and potential indirect damage and their corresponding probabilities; and f) defining and zoning the hazard and risk levels. ● Quantitative risk assessment: a) identifying the most socioeconomically efficient measures to be implemented to reduce risk in the medium and long term, combining stabilization, containment, and protection measures when necessary; and b) identifying the early warning system and the alarm system to be implemented to reduce risk in the short term.

Competencies

Especific

The ability to address and solve advanced mathematical problems in engineering, from the scope and context of the problem to its statement and implementation in a computer program. In particular, the ability to formulate, program and apply advanced analytical and numerical calculation models to the design, planning and management of a project, as well as the ability to interpret the results obtained in the of mining engineering.

Ability to conduct land management studies, including the construction of tunnels and other underground infrastructures.

Adequate knowledge of modelling, assessment and management of geological resources, including groundwater, mineral and thermal resources.

Transversal

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 45h 100.00 %
Self Study 80h

Teaching Methodology

The subject has a marked practical approach and is oriented to the discussion and resolution of problems of real cases of slope instability, with diverse degrees of complexity and also with diverse time of intervention in function of the casuistry of the problem. The gained knowledge and compeence are put in practice with the realisation of a course work by each student, that consists in the analysis of a specific real case and in the realisation of the corresponding professional report. Such report constitutes the core of the evaluation of the subject. The activity lectiva consists of 3 hours to the week of face-to-face classes in the classroom. In the sessions of theory (53%) the profesorado exposes the concepts and basic methods and incites to argue his application with examples of real cases of unsteadiness. The sessions of practices are focused to the resolution of problems of real cases, to the use of technicians and tools of analysis and, finally, to a practice on the terrain on analysis of the dangerousness and of the risk and his management in two real cases (38%). The educational method complements with activities of tutoría in class for the surgery, supervision and collective discussion of the works of course (9%). It uses material of support in format of educational plan detailed by means of the virtual campus ATENEA: contents (theory, practical, basic and additional bibliography), programming of the activities lectivas of the subject and of the activities of evaluation.

Grading Rules

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

The evaluation has two components: 1) A practical exam on the analysis of stability of a hillslope, with a weight of 30% and to be carried out on the half of the classroom period. 2) A practical work on a real case of unstability of slope, with a weight of 70%, that involves the analysis of the risk and his mitigación. Both the report and his oral presentation will be evaluated.

Office Hours

José Moya : Mondays from 12:00 to 14:00 and other days by previous appointment. Marcel Hürlimann: to be agreed with the profesor.

Bibliography

Basic