Environmental Geotechnics

Recommended Prerequisites

Soil Mechanics.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical classes with detailed presentation of the subjects with reference to relevant case studies when possible.

Theoretical-practical classes where the students, supervised by the teacher, solve proposed practical exercises.

Laboratory and field classes where the students follow the performance of tests with subsequent treatment and interpretation of results.

Site visits.

Learning Outcomes

Enable students in the application of basic concepts and fundamental principles of geotechnical engineering to situations with an important environmental component, starting by assessing and preventing the potential environmental accidents by a proper site investigation, monitoring, soil improvement, and finally by dealing with the negative impact of the waste, by consideration of the disposal by landfill, rehabilitation of contaminated land and reuse of the waste materials in geotechnical construction.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

- Introduction: the geotechnical engineering and the environment preservation.

- Site investigation: methodology, geological maps, planning, sampling;

- Instrumentation and monitoring: equipment, localization, data handling;

- Stability of geotechnical structures: slopes, excavations, retaining walls, shallow and deep foundations;

- Soil improvement: shallow and deep compaction, soil replacement, soil stabilization by admixtures, precompression, stone columns, grouting;

- Waste disposal: production, classification, properties, landfills, geosynthetics, tailings dams, radioactive waste;

- Waste materials in geotechnical construction: production, properties, reuse of colliery spoils, clays, schist, ash, demolition and construction wastes, tires;

- Contaminated land: production, mobility of ground contamination, treatment.

Head Lecturer(s)

António Alberto Santos Correia

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Mecânica dos Solos (Vol. 2) –  M. Matos Fernandes

Environmental Geotechnics – Robert Sarsby

Environmental Geology – C.W. Monpgomery