Caracterização e Observação Geotécnica

Objectives

By the end of this course, the student should: 1. Understand why geotechnical characterisation is necessary and know how to develop an outline plan for the characterisation of a site for a given project; 2. Know the main techniques available for undertaking geotechnical characterisation in the field; 3. Know the common in situ test methods, how they work and their relative merits; 4. In simple terms, know about the techniques used for soil sampling, the efect of sampling on the in situ soil and its impact on labortary test results. 5. Know why geotechnical monitoring is used and the techniques available for observing different effects, their effectiveness and relative merits; 6. Know the classification and important characteristics of rock masses, how their assessement is made; 7. Know how the classification of a rock mass can be used to assess its behaviour, with reference to slopes; 8. Know how residual soils are formed and how they differ from sedimentary soils.

Syllabus

Module 1. Geotechnical Characterisation of soils (7 hrs) why it is needed, planning and techniques, sampling, in situ and laboratory testing; Module 2. Monitoring of geotechnical works (7 hrs) why is it needed, planning and techniques - displacement, pressure and load; Module 3. Rock Mechanics (10.5 hrs) introduction to describing rock masses and rock mass classification schemes, rock mass strength and slope stability, residual soils.

Cross Competence Component

This Curricular Unit allows the development of transversal skills in Critical Thinking, namely strategic thinking and approaches to problem solving, in practical work and its presentations; Interpersonal and intrapersonal skills (oral, organizational and team work, self-discipline, perseverance, self- motivation) in the practical work and its presentation, and Information and media literacy (ability to locate and access information, as well as to analyze and evaluate content) through the practical work and presentation. The percentage of assessment associated with these skills should be around 20%.

Ethical Principles

All members of a group are responsible for the group's work. In any assessment, every students shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used. In an oral assessment, every students shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.