Engineering Geology

Code:

EC0014

Acronym:

GENG

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Geotechnics

Instance: 2011/2012 - 1S

Active?	Yes
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
MIEC	249	Syllabus since 2006/2007	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 between human works and activities and the forecast and development of preventive or repairing measures of geological accidents.

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 between human works and activities and the forecast and development of preventive or repairing measures of geological accidents.

SKILLS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Identify rocks and rock masses structures that might constrain the works of civil engineering in its various stages, in particular, primary studies, predesign, design, construction and operation. Interpreting elements of Geology and Geotechnics that characterize the rock mass with respect to their morphology, composition, physical and mechanical issues. Interpretation of rock masses characteristics in parameters, mainly numerical, to assess the massive natural in a work of Civil Engineering.

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.

DEMONSTRATION OF THE SYLLABUS COHERENCE WITH THE CURRICULAR UNIT'S OBJECTIVES:

The geological and geotechnical studies should be planned in different stages, using identification methods progressively more sophisticated and expensive, following their various phases of design and construction of each project and aiming, at the end, the geotechnical zoning of geological massifs in the works with appropriate detail for each case. The responsible of engineering geology studies have to guide them in order to clarify the relevant issues to the project and completed them once the necessary information is obtained.

Complementary Bibliography

Celso Lima e José Eduardo Menezes;Textos de apoio de Geologia de Engenharia, 2008 (Documentos PDF)
González de Vallejo, Luis I. 070; Ingeniería geológica. ISBN: 84-205-3104-9

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 identification of minerals and rocks 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.

DEMONSTRATION OF THE COHERENCE BETWEEN THE TEACHING METHODOLOGIES AND THE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The applied teaching methodologies allow the use of analytical and numerical methods for interpreting measurements and other characteristics of the rock mass and the work to implement to identify possible situations of instability. Application of few simple tests to show certain characteristics of rocks and rock discontinuities. Compare different solutions stabilization of rock masses by identifying the kinematic and/or mechanical behavior models.

Software

- SWEDGE (análise determinística e probabilística da estabilidade de blocos, em taludes rochosos, definidos por duas descontinuidades e fenda de tracção).


- DIPS (análise, representação e interpretação de elementos estruturais utilizando técnicas de projecção estereográfica);
- ROCPLANE (análise determinística e probabilística de deslizamentos planares em taludes rochosos);

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

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

Eligibility for exams

Assiduity, obtaining a classification superior to 6.5 marks out of 20 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 – 12th November
2nd Test – 17th December
- Assignment report focusing the identification of discontinuities and potential instability situations: 2-5 November.
- Assignment report focusing slope stability analysis: 6-10 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.
SPECIAL RULES FOR MOBILITY STUDENTS:
Proficiency in Portuguese and/or English;
Previous attendance of introductory graduate courses in the scientific field addressed in this module;
Evaluation by exam and/or coursework(s) defined in accordance with student profile.

Classification improvement

- Evaluation Norms 2010-2011

Observations

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Working time estimated out of classes: 7,5 hours