Course syllabus for Geological and geotechnical site characterisation

Course syllabus adopted 2023-02-02 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameGeologisk och geoteknisk karakterisering
  • CodeACE046
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPIEE
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyCivil and Environmental Engineering
  • DepartmentARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 27126
  • Maximum participants100 (at least 10% of the seats are reserved for exchange students)
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0123 Project 7.5 c
Grading: TH		7.5 c0 c0 c0 c0 c0 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Recommended courses: BOM200 Engineering Geology and BOM356 Geotechnics, or equivalent knowledge in basics on geology, soil mechanics and groundwater flow.

Aim

The aim of this course is to give an introduction to various geological, hydrogeological and geotechnical site characterisation techniques and methods that not only enable the creation of a conceptual geo-model as a basis for infrastructure design, but also enable consideration of various alternatives. It is aimed for that after the course the students will be able to design a suitable site investigation as relevant for different stages of design (e.g. preliminary design, road/railway plan, detailed design) and in parallel, they will be able to interpret the results of such investigations as a basis for subsequent geotechnical and/or rock engineering design.
 

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

● Knowledge
○ Describe the principles of geological genesis with a focus on the Swedish environment
○ Describe the particulars of various geo-materials
○ Describe the principles, benefits and limitations of different site investigation methods and laboratory test types
● Comprehension
○ Distinguish between different features of basic geological processes
○ Understand the interdependence of engineering design and design of site characterisation, depending on the composition of the shallow subsurface.
● Application & Analysis
○ Design, execute and interpret of field and laboratory tests for a wide range of geo-materials (soft-soils to crystalline rock mass)
○ Evaluate several techniques used in the desk study phase (geological maps lineage etc).
● Synthesis:
○ Integrate knowledge on large scale geological and hydrogeological processes, as well as future engineering needs, in the design of a site specific (hydro-)mechanical investigation for engineering properties.
○ Demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of the geological and geotechnical site characterisation techniques, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, including both ethical and economic aspects and also environmental and safety considerations.
○ Demonstrate the ability in speech and writing clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences within the field of geological, hydrogeological and geotechnical site characterisation techniques.

Content

● Introduce a framework for conceptual modelling and site characterisation in engineering practice.
● Early investigations based on geological maps and geological history, with focus on geological processes.
● Geotechnical site investigation techniques (principle, interpretation, applicability and limitations) for materials ranging from soft soils to hard rock.
● Geotechnical sampling and laboratory testing (principle, interpretation, applicability and limitations).
● Geophysical methods (principle, interpretation, applicability and limitations) .
● Hydrogeological site investigations (principle, interpretation, applicability and limitations).

● Insight into the possibilities and limitations of the geological and geotechnical site characterisation techniques, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, including both ethical and economic aspects and, also, sustainability considerations.

Organisation

As a Master's level course, the course relies on an active participation by the students. Lectures are supported by compulsory project work reflecting a realistic case performed in groups of students. 

Literature

Lecture slides/notes, selected keynote articles and book Chapters will be provided in digital format on the course home page.

Examination including compulsory elements

Compulsory tutorials (pass/fail) and graded project work for the full credits (fail/3/4/5). The final grade for the course will only be reported after successfully completing the tutorials.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.