Energy and Geotechnics (250MEG014) – Course 2025/26 PDF
Syllabus
Learning Objectives
The course has seven main objectives: a. To introduce students to the main geotechnical issues that are emerging in relation to the energy transition and energy in general. b. To open students' minds to the need to adapt traditional geotechnical concepts to new problems and, to this end, to reflect on the basis of current geotechnical practice. c. To introduce students to the fundamental mechanisms involved in geotechnical problems related to energy, as well as the theoretical chemo-thermo-hydro(gas)-mechanical concepts that control these mechanisms. d. To prepare students to apply these concepts to address unconventional problems. e. To prepare students to work in groups to analyze and propose solutions to unconventional problems. f. To introduce students to the design rules that are being consolidated for designing energy-related solutions. g. To prepare students to present a solution to an unconventional problem in public.
Total hours of student work
| Hours | Percentage | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supervised Learning | Large group | 45h | 100.00 % | |
| 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
- Laloui L.; Loria A. F. Analysis and Design of Energy Geostructures: Theoretical Essentials and Practical Application. 1st ed. London: Academic Press, 2020. ISBN 9780128165980.
- Olivella, S., Vaunat, J. & Rodríguez Dono, A. CODE_BRIGHT 2025 USER'S GUIDE. Barcelona: CIMNE, 2025.
- Gens, A. "Soil–environment interactions in geotechnical engineering". Géotechnique [en línia]. 60 (1): 3-74 [Consulta: 16/09/2025]. Disponible a: https://www-emerald-com.recursos.biblioteca.upc.edu/jgeot/article/60/1/3/401022/Soil-environment-interactions-in-geotechnical.
- Finke Morrison, K. Tailings Management Handbook: A LifeCycle Approach. Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, 2022. ISBN 9780873354905.