MABY5460 Environmental Geotechnics Emneplan

This course explores geotechnical principles and engineering techniques for the analysis, design, and management of slope and earth structures. Key topics include groundwater flow, hydraulic conductivity, and unsaturated soil behavior, slope stability, landslide occurrence, and mitigation measures, with particular emphasis on nature-based solutions such as the stabilizing effects of vegetation. Students will study both structural and non-structural approaches to slope stabilization through lectures, seminars, and practical exercises using GeoStudio software.

The course also addresses the design, stability, and monitoring of tailings dams, earth embankments, and landfills. Students will examine consolidation and seepage behavior, tailings characteristics, failure modes, and liquefaction phenomena, emphasizing the importance of proper design and risk management to prevent catastrophic failures.

In addition, students will be introduced to monitoring instruments and techniques. Methods for risk assessment, including qualitative and quantitative approaches such as event tree analysis, will be presented and applied in practical exercises.

The course concludes with a focus on hazard mapping techniques and the use of physically based models and machine learning algorithms for landslide prediction. Students will also explore landfill engineering topics, including compaction, liner systems, waste settlement, and overall stability.

Practical components include hands-on sessions using numerical modeling tools (GeoStudio, Python, and Excel) for seepage, slope stability, and risk analysis problems.

Language of instruction: English

MABY5410-Advanced soil mechanics

After completing this course, students will gain the following knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

Students will have knowledge of:

• groundwater flow, seepage, and the behavior of unsaturated soils.
• concepts of groundwater engineering, including applications and limitations.
• key principles in slope stability, including landslide classification, factors influencing stability, and risk assessment.
• various methods for slope analysis, such as the Infinite Slope method and Limit Equilibrium Methods (LEM), and their real-world applications.
• the principles and benefits of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) for slope stability, including the role of vegetation in mitigating landslide risks and stabilizing slopes.
• how vegetation affects soil structure, root reinforcement, and water absorption, and its application as a natural mitigation measure.
• quick clay.
• the consolidation and settlement of earth embankments, properties of tailings, and common failure modes in these structures.
• best practices for designing stable tailings dams.
• key concepts in landfill design, including compaction, clay liners, geomembranes, and waste settlement.
• qualitative and quantitative risk assessment methods, including risk matrices, event trees.
• hazard mapping using physically based models and machine learning techniques.

Skills

Students will be able to:

• apply Limit Equilibrium Methods (LEM) manually and through software tools like Geostudio.
• perform slope stability analyses, incorporating structural and non-structural mitigation measures, and interpret results for practical use.
• Analyze the effects of vegetation on slope stability and apply Nature-Based Solutions by selecting appropriate plant species and assessing their impact on slope reinforcement.
• use simulation tools (such as Larimit) to model and assess the impact of vegetation on slope stability.
• use and interpret data from various sensors and monitoring instruments in slope stability and groundwater studies.
• conduct analyzes of earth embankments and tailings dams to identify potential failure modes and liquefaction risks.
• apply the SEEP tool in Geostudio to model groundwater flow through tailings and embankment structures.
• critically analyze real-life landfill failures, identify causes, and propose design improvements for enhanced stability.

General Competence

Students will develop general competence in:

• understanding environmental geotechnical challenges and their relevance to broader sustainability concerns in engineering practice.
• problem-solving by integrating technical knowledge and practical tools to address real-world geotechnical challenges.
• collaborating with industry experts and peers through exercises and seminars, enhancing teamwork and communication skills in professional settings.
• employing standards in geotechnical engineering, with a focus on risk management and environmental protection.

Lectures, exercises, presentations, field visits (where possible), critical analysis of scientific papers and written project/report.

The following work requirements are mandatory and must be delivered and approved to sit for the exam:

• 1 written group exercise with 2-4 students in a group
• 1 written individual exercise

Students who fail to meet the coursework requirements can be given up to one re-submission opportunity before the exam

The exam consists of two parts:

1) 3-hour written individual exam under supervision, and multiple-choice questions, weighted 70%.

2) 20-30 minutes individual oral with Q&A on at least three topics, weighted 30%.

All assessment parts must be awarded a pass grade (E or better) for the student to pass the course.

Assessment part 1) can be appealed. Assessment part 2) cannot be appealed.

In the event of a resit or rescheduled exam, oral examination may be used instead. If oral exams are used for resit and rescheduled exams, the result cannot be appealed.

1) A calculator that cannot be used to communicate with others is allowed for the written exam.

2) No aids permitted

Grade scale AF

1) One internal examiner

2) Two internal examiners

External examiners are used regularly

Luca Piciullo