Syllabus Information

1. General information

1.1. Aims of the course

In this course the main objectives are that the prospective student acquires a series of professional competencies in the field of Geotechnics, with appreciation of the importance of geology in civil engineering, whilst embracing the ethical compromise of a fully fledged professional geologist. After successfully completing the course the student will be able to collect data and samples, order tests and perform calculations in for building foundations, slope stability analysis etc. The student will be able to distinguish the applications and drawbacks of several methods of geophysical proving.

These approaches and objectives are aligned with the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/es/), in such a way that the acquisition of the results of Subject learning provides training and competence to contribute to some extent to its achievement:

6. Clean water and sanitation.

9: Industry, innovation and infrastructures.

1.2. Context and importance of this course in the degree

This course is usually undertaken in the fourth year of the degree. Therefore, the students are expected to already have wide geological knowledge, and to be skilled at using the necessary  tools –both physical and conceptual– usually fielded in geology.

1.3. Recommendations to take this course

This course is among the courses devoted to those applied aspects of Geology. It requires some familiarity with solving numerical problems, as usual in Physics or Mathematics, and the ability to integrate the studied topics within the wider scope of matters learned in other courses. It is recommended to have successfully passed courses on physics and structural geology in previous years. It is recommended, as well, to assist to all lectures and the rest of activities, to keep a daily routine of work in order to fulfil the deadlines for papers and questionaries, and to make use of tutorial times.

2. Learning goals

2.1. Competences

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

-    solve usual problems in geotechnics.

-    know the main methods of geophysical surveying.

2.2. Learning goals

To successfully pass this course the student will achieve to…

Fundamentals of Soil Mechanics

    … know concepts and basic terminology.

    … know and apply the Unified Soil Classification System.

    … know how to calculate stress by the self weight of soil: effective stress, total stress, and pore water pressure.

    … know how to calculate the underground increase in stress due to surface loading.

    … know and use the concept of normally consolidated and overconsolidated soils.

    … know and use the Mohr Circle and the failure law of Mohr-Coulomb for the shear strength of soils.

    … understand the workings and goals of the different failure tests.

    … appreciate the importance of detecting trouble soils, and to integrate other geological sciences into geotechnics.

Applications of Soil Mechanics

    … know the different kind of foundations.

    … know how to calculate bearing capacity of soils.

    … know how to estimate settlement and time of settlement.

    … know how to plan and perform the geotechnical report for a construction site.

    … know how slopes fail, and how to calculate their stability.

Methods and Applications of Geophysical Surveying

    … know the physical fundamentals of the main methods.

    … know their applications and drawbacks.

2.3. Importance of learning goals

3. Assessment (1st and 2nd call)

3.1. Assessment tasks (description of tasks, marking system and assessment criteria)

Assessment activities

Continuous evaluation

1. Questionaries (running test): at the end of each lecture the student must answer one or more questions related to the topic at hand.

2. Practicals: Each practical session includes additional problems that must be solved and presented before the next session.

3. Field report. The student will produce a properly structured report from data and observations collected in a geophysical survey in the field.

Global Evaluation test

Students that failed to follow the course, and those that wish to, have the right to a global evaluation test. It consist on a written test, alike the previously described, and an it may include additional test where the student will show his/her skills with geophysical instruments.

Assessment criteria or Course Grade Distribution

1. Continous evaluation mode: grade=(test x 0.7)+(continous ev. x 0.3), where “continuous ev.” referees to (classroom questions + additional problems + field report) / 3

4. Methodology, learning tasks, syllabus and resources

4.1. Methodological overview

This module consists of lectures, practical laboratories, tutorial exercises, may include case histories and coursework exercises.

4.2. Learning tasks

Activity 1. Learning of concepts, descriptions and calculations bases.

Lectures (2.7 ECTS)

Data processing and report writing (1.05 ECTS)

Activity 2. Learning of procedures and tools

Laboratory and field: management of geophysical devices (0.25 ECT) 

Practicals: solving numerical problems in geotechnics (2 ECTS)

Teaching and assessment activities will be carried out on site for as long and as much as possible. This scenario could change if safety regulations related to the covid19 crisis recommended online activities.

4.3. Syllabus

Course syllabus

Unit 1. Fundamentals of soil mechanics

T1. Soil propertiess and classification

T2. Soil stress: self weight and induced stress by loading

T3. Soil consolidation.

T4. Conditions of failure. Soil shear and failure.

Unit 2. Applied geotechnics

T5. Bearing capacity of soil

T6. Deep foundations

T7. Geotechnic surveying and report

T8. Soil slopes

T9. Rock slopes

T10. Lateral earth pressure

Unit 4. Geophysical surveying

T11. Electrical methods

T12. Seismic refraction

T13. Ground Probing Radar

4.4. Course planning and calendar

This is a first semester course and consists of lectures, laboratory exercises, and one-morning of field work with geophysical instruments. Classes will start the first academic week.

Students can refer to the Faculty of Sciences and Earth Sciences Department websites (https://ciencias.unizar.es; https://cienciastierra.unizar.es/) for timetable, classroom or assessment dates.

Further information regarding this course (examination, individual or group assignments...) will be provided on the first day of class.

Date for field trip will be published at the Earth Sciences Department website.

Tutorials: Office hours will be also provided the first day of class.

4.5. Bibliography and recommended resources

http://psfunizar10.unizar.es/br13/egAsignaturas.php?codigo=26446