Course syllabus for Hydrogeology and geotechnics, civil and environmental engineers

Course syllabus adopted 2022-02-21 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameHydrogeologi och geoteknik, högskoleingenjör
  • CodeBOM325
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTISAM
  • Education cycleFirst-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 61130
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsNo

Credit distribution

0117 Examination 5 c
Grading: TH
0 c5 c0 c0 c0 c0 c
  • 18 Jan 2025 pm J
  • 15 Apr 2025 pm J
  • 22 Aug 2025 am J
0217 Project 2.5 c
Grading: UG
0 c2.5 c0 c0 c0 c0 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first 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

The same as for the programme that owns the course.
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

- BOM195 Building materials  
- TME275 Mechanics    
- TME295 Solid mechanics 
- MVE595 Introductory course in calculus 
- MVE450 Computational mathematics            
- MVE480 Linear algebra    
- BOM200 Engineering geology 
- BOM270 Water resources and hydraulics
- BOM356 Geotechnics        

Aim

The course is a part of and a natural progression in the topic area "ground resources and construction in the ground". General purpose is to deepen the understanding of the role geological, geotechnical and hydrogeological conditions play in relation to the environment and sustainable development, focusing on line infrastructure (road and rail). In the course, the student acquires in-depth subject knowledge, tools and system understanding when it comes to engineering geology, hydrogeology, soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering related to hydrodynamic conditions. In the course scientific and empirical theories to describe, analyze and model the hydrologic and geomechanical properties of rock and soil are presented and developed. This is done as a basis for designing e.g. grouting or constructions aiming at pressure- and flow control, as well as for the design of geotechnical structures. The geotechnics part focuses on the analysis of deformations (1D - 2D) and stability of embankments and slopes for pore pressure variation.

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

Hydrogeology:
- Describe hydraulic parameters (hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity, storage coefficient) and hydraulic framework (hydrological cycle, Darcy's law, mass balance, boundary conditions, steady-state).
- Report and evaluate hydrogeological conditions of soil.
- Evaluate local surface water and ground water-related issues (eg, effects on groundwater levels due to point- and line sinks/sources resulting from underground construction).
- In a simple way describe transport processes in soil.
- Evaluate the effects of pore pressure change related to underground constructions with a focus on stability conditions.


Geotechnics:
- Assess various hydromechanical characteristics of soils based on systematic geotechnical laboratory testing.
- Interpret and critically examine soil parameters based on field and laboratory investigations.
- Carry out stability analyses of geotechnical structures.
- Calculate slope stability with the "limit equilibrium method". Critically examine the results.

Content

General: Analysis of deformation and stability of embankments and slopes during time-dependent pore pressure variation, focusing on infrastructure projects. An understanding of the hydrogeological behavior (pressure and flow) in soils. The latter is essential both for this type of project and water resource issues more generally.

The course deals with the estimation of hydraulic properties to describe pore pressure (hydraulic head) and pore pressure changes in a geological formation. To link hydrogeology and geotechnical engineering, the analyses of pore pressure change in soil is used as a basis for stability and deformation analyses. Analysis is also made for slope stability for undrained conditions.

Organisation

Teaching is mainly based on lectures supported by group projects. Analysis of results from field and laboratory tests are an important part of the course.

Exercise on the prediction of settlements based on laboratory and field measurements in competition (for the consolidation of a test embankment) and analysis of stability (limit equilibrium), including studies of ground improvement.
The course is mainly taught in in English, but support is available in Swedish.

Literature

- Craig's Soil Mechanics, 8th Edition (Knappett & Craig), available as e-book,
- Practical and Applied Hydrogeology (Zekai Sen), download from https://doi.org/10.1016/C2013-0-14020-2
as well as additional materials the course homepage.

Examination including compulsory elements

The examination of the course consists of a written exam as well as project work. Well-done project work  may yield bonus points to the exam, but only for the examinations in the same academic year.

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.