Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to analyze excavation scenarios in open-cast, underground, and underwater environments, taking into account a wide range of geological conditions, including hard rock, weak rock, and soft ground. They will demonstrate the ability to estimate key engineering parameters for standard reference cases and to apply appropriate analytical and computational methods to perform technical calculations. Students will be capable of evaluating and selecting suitable excavation equipment in relation to site-specific constraints, as well as designing coherent and efficient sequences of operations that reflect the availability of resources and operational requirements. They will also be able to assess and compare excavation techniques by considering safety aspects, technical feasibility, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, students will develop the capacity for critical analysis and independent judgment, enabling them to identify and justify optimal solutions among alternative approaches within realistic engineering contexts. They will demonstrate familiarity with international technical terminology used in the mining and excavation sector and will exhibit the ability to engage in autonomous learning, supporting their continuous professional development in a rapidly evolving field.

Chemistry: Fundamental principles of chemical reactions. Physics: Basic principles of electric circuits. Materials Science and Technology: Properties and behaviour of alloys and related materials. Applied Geology: Classification of rocks and their key characteristics. Geomechanics: Fundamentals of rock mass and soft-ground behaviour, including concepts of force, strength, stress, and strain, as well as stability analysis and the selection of appropriate techniques and equipment based on site-specific conditions.

General Concepts Fundamental principles and definitions of excavation engineering. Mechanical properties and behavior of materials, including specific gravity, abrasiveness, and hardness. Geometrical characteristics of excavation sites and organization of work phases. Part I: Rock Excavation by Drilling and Blasting (D&B) Principles of drilling and blasting techniques for rock excavation. Explosives are examined in terms of their chemical and physical properties, reaction mechanisms, classification, and selection criteria. Initiation systems include safety fuses, blasting caps, electric detonators (instantaneous, short-delay, and long-delay), detonating cords, relays, non-electric detonators with trunk line delays, and advanced systems such as non-primary explosive detonators (NPEDs) and electronic detonators. Blast hole design and blasting mechanics are analyzed, together with key parameters such as blasting patterns, powder factor, specific drilling requirements, detonator consumption, and cost estimation. Firing-line configuration and blasting-circuit calculations are also addressed. Applications in open-cast operations include bench blasting (single-row and multi-row), trench blasting, and contour blasting, with attention to the control of unwanted effects. Special techniques such as dynamic splitting are introduced. Underground blasting and tunneling methods are discussed, focusing on charge geometry, initiation sequences, cut types, and muck pile characteristics. Environmental impacts, including ground vibrations, fly rock, dust, and air overpressure, are evaluated. Drilling equipment and tools are presented with reference to machine types, rock drillability, and their application in surface and underground operations. Mucking and transportation systems commonly used in open-cast, underground, and underwater excavations are also covered. Part II: Mechanical Excavation (Open-Cast and Underground) Overview of mechanical excavation methods, including equipment classification and productivity assessment. The main types of excavation machinery are described in terms of structure, operation, and field of application. Material-related aspects are considered, including rock hardness and toughness, tool materials, wear mechanisms, service life, and consumption rates. Tool mechanics are analyzed through motion types, cutting mechanisms, and classification of excavation tools. Rock–tool interaction is examined using theoretical models to support equipment selection and performance evaluation based on rock properties and project requirements. Productivity is assessed using concepts such as specific energy consumption and operational efficiency. Special attention is given to dimension stone excavation, including cutting technologies such as diamond wire saws, chainsaws, water jets, and other advanced systems. Part III: Earthmoving Machinery Principles and classification of earthmoving equipment, including both cyclic and continuous systems. Cyclic equipment is analyzed in terms of weight, power, and productivity, and includes hydraulic shovels, loaders, backhoes, dozers, graders, scrapers, and drag scrapers. Continuous excavation and transport systems are also introduced. Dredging equipment is examined, covering both cyclic and continuous dredges used in underwater excavation. Part IV: Mining Plants Fundamentals of mining plant systems and supporting infrastructure. Compressed air technology is presented, including theoretical principles, types of compressors and engines, auxiliary components, and system design. Pneumatic transport systems are discussed with reference to their main configurations, technological features, and design criteria. Dewatering techniques for both open-pit and underground operations are analyzed. Hauling systems are evaluated in terms of characteristics, advantages, and limitations, including rigid and articulated trucks, rail transport systems, and conveyor belts. Hoisting systems and underground ventilation systems are also addressed, emphasizing their role in ensuring safe and efficient mining operations.

Lectures will be delivered in the classroom and will combine theoretical instruction with practical exercises worked through by the professor on the board. Students may also be asked to solve exercises independently during class, in order to reinforce their understanding and develop problem-solving skills. Active participation is encouraged throughout the sessions through questions, discussions, and in-class activities. Additional academic support will be provided by a tutor, who will be available outside scheduled lecture hours to clarify concepts and assist with exercises. Furthermore, technical site visits to active construction or excavation projects will be organized, giving students direct exposure to real-world applications of the topics covered in the course.

The course consists of approximately 64 hours of classroom lectures and 36 hours of practical sessions. The practical component focuses on the calculation and evaluation of key parameters governing different excavation techniques. As part of the learning process, students will also participate in group work aimed at analyzing and discussing real-world case studies provided by the instructor. In addition, subject to class size and logistical feasibility, technical visits to excavation sites or processing plants may be organized. These visits, typically lasting up to one day, are designed to provide students with direct insight into the operations and technologies covered in the course.

Course materials are regularly updated and made available to students via the online learning platform at the beginning of the course. These resources include references to key textbooks as well as suggestions for further reading for students who wish to explore specific topics in greater depth. To stay informed about recent developments in the field, students are encouraged to consult international journals and conference proceedings recommended or provided by the instructor. Lecture slides are designed to be as comprehensive as possible, supporting a clear understanding of the core concepts. Additional materials—such as recommended readings, technical data sheets, and extracts from industry manuals—are also accessible through the platform. During tutorial sessions, the instructor works through exercises on the board and provides guidance to help students develop their problem-solving skills in a structured and interactive manner.

Lecture slides; Lecture notes; Exercises; Multimedia materials;

Exam: Written test; Compulsory oral exam; Individual essay;

The examination is designed to assess the extent to which students have achieved a comprehensive understanding of the topics covered in the official course syllabus. Candidates are expected to demonstrate solid knowledge of the underlying theoretical principles, as well as the ability to apply appropriate quantitative methods to solve specific engineering problems. Assessment consists of both written and oral components, with the final grade expressed on a 30-point scale. A minimum overall score of 18/30 is required to pass. Students must prepare an individual technical report documenting the exercises assigned during the course. The report should clearly present all methodological steps used to obtain the solutions and include scaled technical drawings and schematics that accurately represent the operational context (e.g., site typology and design dimensions). This report must be submitted during the oral examination and may contribute up to 2 additional points to the final grade. The written examination lasts 120 minutes and includes approximately 5–6 theoretical questions and a similar number of calculation-based problems, covering the full range of course topics. It is intended to evaluate both conceptual understanding and the ability to apply analytical methods to practical scenarios. The use of notes, textbooks, or other materials is not permitted; however, a portable calculator is allowed. To be admitted to the oral examination, students must obtain a minimum score of 15/30 on the written test. The Mining Plants component includes a separate written test of approximately 40 minutes, which may be taken either on the same day as the Excavation Engineering exam or on a different date agreed upon with the instructor. Once both components have been successfully completed, the exam must be officially recorded within the same examination session. The oral examination consists of a discussion and critical review of the written test, along with additional theoretical questions on topics not addressed in the written part. Students are also expected to demonstrate familiarity with the exercises presented in their technical report. The final grade is calculated as the average of the written and oral exam scores, with the possible addition of up to 2 points for the quality and completeness of the report. Exam results are published on the course portal. A review session is scheduled for students who do not pass the written examination, providing an opportunity to examine their work and request clarification if needed.

In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.