The course focus on the theoretical background of geophysical methods applied to civil and environmental engineering and in study of snow/glacier and permafrost in alpine areas. The course aims to illustrate the data acquisition and interpretation methods of the geophysical parameters.

The student will achieve competences in the context of applications of conventional geophysical surveys to different engineering fields. He/She must demonstrate its ability to plan geophysical surveys in multiple geological and morphological environment, to interpret the results of surveys and to understand the meaning of the geophysical parameters. He/She will also acquire skills in the evaluation of the relationships between geophysical and geotechnical/hydrogeological parameters of soils and rocks. Students will acquire skills on the suitability of geophysical methods to characterise permafrost and glaciers.

The basic knowledges refer to the background in geology, hydrogeology and geophysics with reference to the petrophysical properties of the soils and rocks, the meaning of hydrogeological parameters (density, porosity, content, water permeability), geophysical properties of soils and rocks (electrical resistivity, seismic attributes, electromagnetic parameters) and environmental and geotechnical engineering (mechanical parameters). Basic knowledge on signal acquisition and processing is required. Skills in using computer tools (Matlab/Octave) for geophysical data processing are also required.

Seismic Methods: (2 credits) Wave equation and correlation between mechanical parameters and seismic response; Correlation between petrophysical parameters (porosity, water content) and velocity and attenuation of porous media: Willie model, Biot-Gassman model; In-hole survey methods: downhole, cross-hole and vertical seismic profile (VSP); Seismic tomography in hole and from surface. Methods of surface waves. Electrical Methods (2 credits) Correlations between petrophysical parameters and electrical resistivity, and induced polarization effects, induced polarization for contaminated site measurements and mining surveys: electrical tomography of resistivity and polarization from surface and in cross-hole modality; examples for hydrogeological and environmental characterization, application of electrical tomography to characterise permafrost. Electromagnetic Methods (2 credits) Methods in frequency and time domain; acquisition mode with low induction Slingram devices; examples for the characterization of contaminated sites; Time domain methods for hydrogeological characterization. Ground penetrating radar: theory, data acquisition and processing, application in geology and hydrogeology, application in permafrost and glaciers. Laboratory works: processing of seismic data for mapping geomechnical properties of soil and rocks; processing of electrical tomographic data in hydrogeological applications; processing of electromagnetic and georadar data for permafrost and glacier investigation.

Lessons are intended to provide the principles of acquisition, processing and interpretation of geophysical data (about 40 hours). Field tutorials will enable students to learn practical-operational data acquisition methods; the laboratory exercises are aimed at deepening the aspects of data processing and interpretation of geophysical surveys. Laboratory Exercises provide for independent work by the student in the Computer Laboratories at the University.

The textbook is: J.M. Reynolds, 1997. An Introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics, Wiley Ed., 796 pp. The teacher provides through the portal the material discussed during the lessons, hints for the classroom works and laboratory exercises. Technical documentation and scientific articles are suggested for theoretical insights and made available on-line.

Modalità di esame: Prova orale obbligatoria;

Exam: Compulsory oral exam;

... The exam consists of an oral test aimed at assessing the theoretical skills and the ability to integrate the results of geophysical surveys into different application contexts. The exam is organized with a question about theoretical aspects and one question about planning and carrying out surveys and interpretation of results. The discussion of the laboratory activities is also part of the exam. The final evaluation is based on the clarity of exposition (5 points), technical skills (5 points), capability to relate the different aspects of the subject (10 points), degree of competence achieved (10 points).

Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilità o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unità Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione più idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.