The student are provided with the necessary tools for understanding the specific issue related to geotechnical works. They acquire the ability of analysing a geotechnical problem, identifying the engineering solution and designing it, by means of analytic and numerical tools. They are taught to produce a complete and rigorous geotechnical report.

For understanding the topics covered in the course, the knowledge of the basic elements of Soil Mechanics, Structural Mechanics, Structural Engineering and Foundations is fundamental.

The main features of geotechnical works and the tools available for their analysis and design are introduced in lectures and tutorials. Specifically, the following main topics are considered: LECTURES - Basics of rock mechanics - Analysis of the stability of soil and rock excavations and natural slopes - Geotechnical works for mitigating the risk due to soil and rock stability problems: soil and reinforced soil structures (embankments, dams); soil and rock stabilization systems (anchorages, bolts, nails); defence works (rockfall barriers, rockfall nets, rockfall embankments); ground improvement (micro drains, draining wells, soil stabilization, deep soil improvement, grouting, jet grouting) TUTORIALS Tutorials involve the use of different geotechnical software to learn how to implement the design procedures discussed during the lectures and to develop a specific project. The latter aims at the complete design of a geotechnical work, starting from the development of the geotechnical model on the basis of available site investigation data, followed by the choice of the appropriate engineering solution and its design. The final product is a complete and rigorous technical report, including graphical representation and estimation of construction costs.

The contents are delivered through lectures and tutorials at Computer Labs. The latter are devoted to the use of some geotechnical software that have to be used for the development of a specific project. Home-works focused on the preparation of a final project are planned. The drafting of a complete technical report is the final product due by the students.

The following texts are suggested for further investigation: • R. Lancellotta (2009). "Geotechnical Engineering" 2nd edition. Taylor & Francis, Abingdon (UK) and New York (USA) • R. Lancellotta, J. Calavera (1999). "Fondazioni". McGraw-Hill, Italia • R. Lancellotta, A. Ciancimino, D.Costanzo, S. Foti (2020). "Progettazione geotecnica secondo l’Eurocodice 7 e le Norme Tecniche per le Costruzioni 2018". Hoepli, Milano (ITALY) • AGI & ISPRA (2022). “Linee guida per la progettazione degli interventi di mitigazione del rischio da frana”. AGI (ITALY)

Lecture slides;

Exam: Compulsory oral exam; Group project;

Compulsory oral exam; Group project. The final exam is as follows: - Projects. The group projects have to be delivered by the deadline specified during the course: punctuality when delivering is mandatory. The evaluation is based on: fairness of results, structure and clarity of the report, which has to be drafted according to a rigorous technical paper. The maximum grade is 30/30. - Optional written test concerning the topic of the projects. It will be held at the end of the course. The students have to answer open questions on theoretical and project-related aspects to defend their projects, by presenting and justifying the design choices, showing to have actively contributed to the project development. The maximum grade related to this exam part is 33/30. The students who pass the written test have in any case to give the oral exam. - Oral exam: it can only be sustained if the final projects reports are delivered on time. The assessment of the understanding of all the topics discussed during the lectures is verified. The students who do not give (or pass) the optional written exam have also to discuss the reports contents to complete the oral examination The maximum grade is 33/30. The final grade is calculated as: 0.6 (oral exam, including the written test) + 0.4 (projects).

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.