Programme

Applied geology, engineering and the environment: Influence of geological processes on engineering works, land use and the main geological and environmental issues.
Soil mechanics: Grain-size distribution; Atterberg limits; characterisation parameters; effective stress principle; consolidation theory; engineering properties of soils and rocks.
Hydrogeology: Darcy’s law; hydrogeological role of rocks; types of aquifers and springs; physicochemical characterisation of water; groundwater balance; water wells; in situ permeability tests.
Ground investigations and monitoring: Site set-up; borehole drilling; sampling; site logbook; in situ geotechnical tests, including dynamic penetration tests, SPT, static penetration tests and pressuremeter tests; subsurface instrumentation and monitoring.
Engineering geological applications: Foundations; landfills; Italian Technical Standards for Construction; engineering geological surveying; thematic geoscientific mapping; structure and contents of a geological report.
Integrated learning activities: Guided discussion and interpretation of data and practical case studies; field observations and possible laboratory visits, aimed at linking methods, evidence and technical assessments.

Prerequisiti

Basic knowledge of General Geology, Mineralogy, Petrography, Structural Geology and Geomorphology is required, together with the ability to read and interpret topographic and geological maps. Students must be familiar with the main geological and geomorphological processes controlling landscape evolution.

Core Documentation

• González de Vallejo, L. I., Geoingegneria, Pearson Education Italia, Milano.
• Celico, P., Elementi di idrogeologia, Liguori Editore.
• Scesi, L., Papini, M. e Gattinoni, P., Principi di geologia applicata, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano.

Reference Bibliography

• Cerbini, G., Il manuale delle acque sotterranee, Geo-Graph, Segrate (MI). • Casadio, M. ed Elmi, C., Il manuale del geologo, Pitagora Editrice, Bologna. • Cestari, F., Prove geotecniche in situ, Geo-Graph, Segrate (MI). • Vallario, A., Frane e territorio, Liguori Editore, Napoli. • Civita, M., Idrogeologia applicata e ambientale, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano.

Type of delivery of the course

The program of the course will be carried out with frontal lessons characterized by a strong interactivity during which the active participation of the students in required also thematic insights proposed by the teacher. To support the teaching, some discussions will be launched to facilitate the identification of the connections between the various topics covered. It’s planned an activity on field. In the event of an extension of the health emergency from COVID-19, all the provisions that regulate the methods for carrying out teaching activities will be implemented. In particular, the methods of live online lessons will be applied through the Teams platform.

Attendance

Activities take place in person. Fieldwork and educational field trips are planned, and laboratory visits may be organised. Any compulsory attendance requirements and minimum attendance percentages are governed by the Degree Programme Teaching Regulations.

Type of evaluation

Learning is assessed through an oral examination consisting of theoretical and applied questions on the course content. The examination assesses: mastery of the principles and methods of applied geology; the ability to interpret geological, geotechnical and hydrogeological data, diagrams and representations; the ability to link evidence and methods to formulate reasoned assessments; clarity of expression and appropriate use of technical and scientific terminology. Assessment considers the accuracy and completeness of knowledge, quality of reasoning, independence of analysis and precision of communication. The final mark is awarded on a 30-point scale; a minimum of 18/30 is required to pass. Field activities and visits support learning and are not assessed separately.