Course syllabus adopted 2022-02-14 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).
Overview
- Swedish nameHydrogeologi och geoteknik, civilingenjör
- CodeBOM370
- Credits7.5 Credits
- OwnerTKSAM
- 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 58123
- Block schedule
- Open for exchange studentsNo
Credit distribution
Module | Sp1 | Sp2 | Sp3 | Sp4 | Summer | Not Sp | Examination dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0117 Examination 5 c Grading: TH | 5 c |
| |||||
| 0217 Project 2.5 c Grading: UG | 2.5 c |
In programmes
Examiner
Ayman Abed- Senior Lecturer, Geology and Geotechnics, Architecture and Civil Engineering
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
- TME300 Solid mechanics
- MVE475 Introductory course in calculus
- MVE480 Linear algebra
- MVE500 Series and derivatives in several variables
- BOM200 Engineering geology
- BOM270 Water resources and hydraulics
- ENM165 Environmental and resource analysis for a sustainable built environment
- 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 - 3D) and stability of embankments and slopes for time-dependent pore pressure variation.Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)
Hydrogeology:
- Describe and account for hydraulic parameters and hydraulic framework.
- Report, conceptualize, evaluate and critically review hydrogeological conditions.
- Evaluate and model local surface water and ground water-related issues (e.g, effects on groundwater levels due to point- and line sinks/sources resulting from underground construction).
- 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 the hydromechanical characteristics of soils and rock based on systematic geotechnical laboratory testing.
- Account for and critically examine the theoretical principles of interpretation of soil parameters based on field and laboratory investigations.
- Apply the theories of elasticity and plasticity associated with geotechnical, considering both deformations (the 1D-3D) and strength.
- Apply how the theories on stress - strain behavior can be used to model natural soils, with a focus on soft clays.
- Carry out and critically examine the stability analyses of geotechnical structures based on plasticity theory.
- Calculate the slope stability with the "limit equilibrium method" and a new technique called "discontinuity layout optimization, DLO".
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).
The course deals with the estimation of hydraulic properties, eg using Thiem's well equation to describe pore pressure (hydraulic head) and pore pressure changes in a geological formation (stationary and transient analysis). To link hydrogeology and geotechnical engineering, the analyses of pore pressure change in soil is used as a basis for stability and deformation analyses. The effect of pore pressure on shear strength is studied by field and lab investigations, taking into account the combined elasto-plastic behavior. Analysis is also made for slope stability for drained, undrained and non-stationary conditions.
Organisation
Teaching is mainly based on lectures supported by laboratory work and group projects. Analysis of results from field and laboratory tests are an important part of the course.Laboratory (for measurement of parameters of deformation and shear strength), exercise on the prediction of settlements based on laboratory and field measurements in competition (for the consolidation of the test bank) and analysis of the stability of the common (limit equilibrium) and new methods (discontinuity layout optimization) .
The course is taught mostly 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 in course home page
Examination including compulsory elements
The examination of the course consists of a written exam as well as project work/lab report. Well-done project work can give bonus points to the exam, but only for the exams 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.