Engineering Geology

Code:

EC0014

Acronym:

GENG

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Geotechnics

Instance: 2006/2007 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://paginas.fe.up.pt/~menezes/aulas/ge/geologia_de_engenharia.htm
Responsible unit:	Geotechnics Division
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Civil Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LEC	1	Plano de estudos de transição para 2006/07	2	6	6	60	160
MIEC	287	Syllabus since 2006/2007	2	-	6	60	160
		Plano de estudos de transição para 2006/07	2	-	6	60	160

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Study of the main minerals and rocks. Study of the rocks main properties and their application as construction and foundation materials. Study of the geotechnical and geological characteristics of massifs towards the resolution of engineering and environment problems resulting from the interaction with human works and activities and the forecast and development of preventive or repairing measures of geological accidents.

Program

- Introduction. Geology courses. Origin and development of engineering geology. Geology applications to Civil Engineering works: framing and objectives.
- Some items on general geology, mineralogy and petrology. Rocks cycle. Physic and mechanical properties of rocks. Rock quality indexes. Soils genesis.
- Discontinuities: types and families. Characterization of the division and discontinuity of the rock mass. Types of instability of talus: cinematic analysis. Probabilistic analysis in structural geology. Résistance to sliding. Rock slope stability. Computational applications.
- Geological classifications: lithology, massifs change and structure. Physical and mechanical characterization of the rocks.
- Massifs resistance and deformability. Classifications for civil engineering purposes: soils (short reference), rocks and rock masses. Applications.
- Geology of Portugal: Portuguese geotectonic and lithologic formations. Geological and topographical cartography. Seismology and Seismicity.
- Geological-geotechnical characterization and identification: methodology, information sources, mechanical and geophysical exploration and “in situ” testing.

Mandatory literature

Teles, Madalena; Geologia
Celso Lima e José Eduardo Menezes; Textos de apoio de Geologia de Engenharia, 2005

Teaching methods and learning activities

In theoretical classes we teach the essential basic concepts to the study, understanding and interpretation of the characteristics of materials and of geological formations phenomena, towards Civil Engineering applications. Special emphasis will be given to the presentation of concrete cases of study, approach methodologies and results obtained related to the specific demands of different types of work.

In practical classes, the students will be introduced first to the macroscopic study and identification of samples and rock materials and later to the determination of mechanical characteristics through testing. In field class, we will do an introduction to the characterization of discontinuities and then the student will be asked to do the analytical resolution of selected problems and to use the following software available.

Software

- DIPS (análise, representação e interpretação de elementos estruturais utilizando técnicas de projecção estereográfica);
- ROCPLANE (análise determinística e probabilística de deslizamentos planares em taludes rochosos);
- SWEDGE (análise determinística e probabilística da estabilidade de blocos, em taludes rochosos, definidos por duas descontinuidades e fenda de tracção).

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Subject Classes	Participação presencial	56,00
	Total:	-	0,00

Eligibility for exams

Assiduity, obtaining a classification superior to 6.5 marks in the mini-tests sum and one of 9.5 marks in the distributed evaluation.

Calculation formula of final grade

Exercises and practical assignments: 30%
Two mini-tests: 70%

Examinations or Special Assignments

- Two written tests in mini-test format:
1st Test – 9th November
2nd Test – 14th December
- Assignment report focusing the identification of discontinuities and potential instability situations: 4th November.
- Assignment report focusing slope stability analysis: 9th December.
- Supplementary oral test to obtain a classification superior to 17 marks.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Exam on the theoretical contents lectured (weight: 75%) and a practical assignment with final report (weight: 25%).
Supplementary oral test to obtain a classification superior to 17 marks.

Classification improvement

- Oral exam.

Observations

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Working time estimated out of classes: 7,5 hours