5 credits
40.0 h + 10.0 h
Q1
Teacher(s)
Holeyman Alain; Vanden Berghe Jean-François;
Language
English
Prerequisites
- Soil mechanics;
- Geotechnics, which can be followed simultaneously ;
The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
- Geotechnics, which can be followed simultaneously ;
The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
Main themes
The course goal is learning how to manage the various facets of geotechnical risks. This risk management is an integral part of the professional life of the geotechnical engineer. It implies to be able to identify the risks, to quantify them and to mitigate their impact. The proposed learning is acquired by illustrating the "risk" aspects of different geotechnical problems already solved within the mandatory geotechnical curriculum, as well as by introducing new problems where the risk pertains to the project demands and to particular behaviors of soils.
The course is divided into two parts:
The course is divided into two parts:
- The first part starts with the definition of risk and the concept of acceptable risk. Then, it moves on to the methods used to represent the risks and guide the decision-making process. The risks relating to the different phases of a geotechnical engineering project are discussed. These are intrinsically linked to the uncertainties belonging to soil mechanics, namely the uncertainty of characterization resulting from the natural variability of the soil and of the limits of the means of investigation, the uncertainty of calculation resulting from the limitations of the calculation available models, the uncertainty of loading, particularly important in the case of natural loading (for example, earthquakes) and finally the uncertainty of achievement due to the difficulty of underground construction processes.
- The second part deals with a series of practical cases that will help implement the concepts acquired in the first part. For example, the risks related to the slope stability, seismic risks, the risks relating to offshore constructions and environmental risks will be treated according to the preferences of the students.
Aims
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 | With regards to the learning outcomes (LO) repository of the program "Master in Civil Engineering", this course contributes to the development, acquisition and the evaluation of the achievements of the following LOs:
More specifically, at the end of this course, the student should be able to: Technical skills and engineering:
Skills project management / managerial and relational competencies:
|
The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.
Content
Part I: Framework and basic elements
Ch 1: concepts of risk (Course + 1 exercise): Introduction, Definition of risk, acceptable risk, risk assessment, Risk in a legal and contractual context
Ch 2: uncertainties of characterization (Course + 1 exercise) :
Introduction, steps in the geotechnical investigation, Sources of characterization uncertainties, quantification of characterization uncertainties
Ch 3: Uncertainty of realization (Course + 1 exercise)
Geometry, materials, elements: example of piles, Civil Engineering projects
Ch 4: Design, sizing and verification (Course + 3 exercises )
Introduction, Formulations of reliability, Integration of the function of performance, design Methodologies
Part II: Areas of application illustrating
Ch 5: seismic hazard (course + 1 exercise)
Introduction, Internal Structure of the earth, seismic Movement (intensity), earthquakes (Magnitude), Response spectrum, Seismic Hazard Assessment
Ch 6: cyclic behavior of soils (Course + 1 exercise)
Elastodynamics (geometric attenuation), dynamic properties of soils, Liquefaction of soils, assessment of the risk of soil liquefaction
Ch 7: Earthquake Engineering (Courses + 1 exercise)
Foundations subjected to dynamic loads, stability and seismic deformation of embankments, seismic stability of retaining structures, Eurocode 8
Ch 8:Offshore Risks (courses)
Offshore Activities, major offshore structures, risks associated with platforms jack ups, risks related to offshore pipelines, offshore geological uncertainties
Ch 1: concepts of risk (Course + 1 exercise): Introduction, Definition of risk, acceptable risk, risk assessment, Risk in a legal and contractual context
Ch 2: uncertainties of characterization (Course + 1 exercise) :
Introduction, steps in the geotechnical investigation, Sources of characterization uncertainties, quantification of characterization uncertainties
Ch 3: Uncertainty of realization (Course + 1 exercise)
Geometry, materials, elements: example of piles, Civil Engineering projects
Ch 4: Design, sizing and verification (Course + 3 exercises )
Introduction, Formulations of reliability, Integration of the function of performance, design Methodologies
Part II: Areas of application illustrating
Ch 5: seismic hazard (course + 1 exercise)
Introduction, Internal Structure of the earth, seismic Movement (intensity), earthquakes (Magnitude), Response spectrum, Seismic Hazard Assessment
Ch 6: cyclic behavior of soils (Course + 1 exercise)
Elastodynamics (geometric attenuation), dynamic properties of soils, Liquefaction of soils, assessment of the risk of soil liquefaction
Ch 7: Earthquake Engineering (Courses + 1 exercise)
Foundations subjected to dynamic loads, stability and seismic deformation of embankments, seismic stability of retaining structures, Eurocode 8
Ch 8:Offshore Risks (courses)
Offshore Activities, major offshore structures, risks associated with platforms jack ups, risks related to offshore pipelines, offshore geological uncertainties
Teaching methods
Ex-cathedra teaching on the basis of transparencies for Volume 1.
Problem solving workshops (directed exercises, case studies, etc. ) for Volume 2.
Problem solving workshops (directed exercises, case studies, etc. ) for Volume 2.
Evaluation methods
The evaluation will be made in 2 parts:
Part 1: exercises (50% of the final score)
For each exercise session, the students will have to present the resolution of exercises in a short report/calculation note highlighting the approach used, the assumptions and the choices made. This work will be carried out by group of 2
The reports will be graded and the students will be individually interviewed on an exercise. This poll will be open book.
Part 2: overview and critique of an article (50% of the final score)
Presentation of an articlelinked with the course subject, from a list proposed towards Week 9. The students discuss the conclusions of the article by linking them to the material of the course and/or to the control of risks in geotechnical engineering. The presentation will take place during the exams session and will last 20 ', followed by a 10' discussion
This work can be accomplished by group of 2, no report being necessary beyond the presentation file.
Part 1: exercises (50% of the final score)
For each exercise session, the students will have to present the resolution of exercises in a short report/calculation note highlighting the approach used, the assumptions and the choices made. This work will be carried out by group of 2
The reports will be graded and the students will be individually interviewed on an exercise. This poll will be open book.
Part 2: overview and critique of an article (50% of the final score)
Presentation of an articlelinked with the course subject, from a list proposed towards Week 9. The students discuss the conclusions of the article by linking them to the material of the course and/or to the control of risks in geotechnical engineering. The presentation will take place during the exams session and will last 20 ', followed by a 10' discussion
This work can be accomplished by group of 2, no report being necessary beyond the presentation file.
Other information
The course pre-requisite LAUCE2171 can be taken simultaneously with this course
Online resources
Transparencies of the course and project data
Bibliography
- Transparents du cours
- Articles à lire
Faculty or entity
GC
