Module 73359

Geotechnical Engineering
Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Environmental
Engineering
Curriculum: Earth Resources Engineering
Academic Year 2020-2021

 Module Leader
Prof. Laura TONNI
 Tutor
Dr. Carmine Gerardo GRAGNANO
Teacher’s Contacts
 Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials
Engineering (DICAM), Viale Risorgimento 2, Bologna (Main
Building, Strade e Geotecnica, 3rd floor)

 www.unibo.it/sitoweb/laura.tonni

  laura.tonni@unibo.it

 https://virtuale.unibo.it/

Office Hours
 Thursday, 1 -2.30 p.m., by appointment only.
• DICAM (3rd floor, Strade e Geotecnica), Viale Risorgimento
2, Bologna
• Online, using Teams. Code to enter the Virtual Room:
hc0ud8v

Tutor’s e-mail: carmine.gragnano@unibo.it

Course Information
 48 hours, corresponding to 6 credits (CFU)
 Teaching period: September 21st - December 22nd
 4 hours per week

DAY TIME LOCATION

MONDAY 11:00 ROOM TA10 First Floor, Via Terracini 28
13:30 Bologna

TUESDAY 13:30 ROOM TA08 First Floor, Via Terracini 28

15:30 Bologna
Course Information
The course is aimed at providing students with advanced knowledge of soil
mechanics and geotechnical modelling, with special emphasis on their
applications to the design of civil engineering structures. Theoretical
concepts will be applied in practical examples and exercises.

Contents
Fundamentals of Soil Mechanics: Review of basic soil
mechanics and introduction to advanced concepts.
Consolidation theory. Shear strength of soils. Stress-strain behaviour of
cyclically loaded soils: cyclic strength, strength after cyclic loading, liquefaction
and cyclic mobility phenomena. Stress paths.

Site Characterization.
Geophysical methods and geotechnical in-situ testing techniques. Evaluation of
cyclic liquefaction potential using in-situ test results.

Slope Stability.
Short and long term stability analyses. Infinite slopes. Two-dimensional slope
stability analyses. Rotational slope failures in undrained soils and in drained
soils - the Method of Slices. Seismic slope stability (pseudostatic analyses).
Course Information
Lectures will be given using powerpoint presentations.

During tutorial sessions, typical exercises proposed in

the written exam are shown.

Textbooks
M. Budhu. "Soil Mechanics and Foundations, 3rd Edition",
Wiley, 2010.
J.M. Duncan, S.G. Wright, T.L. Brandon. "Soil Strength
and Slope Stability, 2nd Edition". Wiley, 2014.

Lecture presentations available in

https://virtuale.unibo.it
Course Information
Requirements/Prior knowledge
Prior knowledge of basic Continuum Mechanics, Hydraulics and Soil
Mechanics concepts is required to successfully attend this course.

Learning outcomes
 good understanding of the mechanical behaviour of soils under both
static and dynamic loading conditions;
 ability to plan soil investigations and to interpret laboratory and in-situ
testing data in order to develop a detailed geotechnical model of the
subsoil;
 awareness of the application of Soil Mechanics principles to geotechnical
engineering problems, with special reference to slope stability
problems;
 knowledge of the main verification methods used in Geotechnical
Engineering to assess slope stability.
Course Information
Assessment methods
The assessment is based on a written exam (50 minutes long) an oral
exam (approx. 30 minutes long). Both are mandatory.
• The written exam consists of one question on the theoretical topics
covered in the course or a simple application problem of the methods
discussed in the course.
To take the written exam, students must register using the online
procedure available at https://almaesami.unibo.it, at least three
days in advance.
• After passing the written exam (minimum score 18/30), students
have access to the oral exam.

The evaluation will take into account relevance, correctness,

accuracy, completeness and clarity of the answers, as well as use
of appropriate technical language.
Examples of the questions will be provided at the online platform:
https://virtuale.unibo.it

Bologna, September 2017 “Geotechnical Engineering”

Preliminary test on basic concepts of Soil Mechanics
 The test focuses on basic principles of Soil Mechanics

 The test is used to form an idea of your preliminary knowledge in

Soil Mechanics, required for the successful attendance of this
course.
 The test will not be used for assessment!!

20 questions in 30 minutes

Download the test from https://virtuale.unibo.it/,

pick the correct answers and, once completed, send
the form using the Teams Virtual classroom chat.
Module 73359
Geotechnical Engineering
www.unibo.it