TECHNICAL GEOLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY

Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: GIOVANNA PAPPALARDO

Expected Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

The ‘Engineering Geology’ module aims to provide students with a comprehensive overview of:

1. the main engineering geological issues associated with major infrastructure projects such as roads, airports, railways, tunnels and dams

2. the fundamentals of hydrogeology

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course, students will have the necessary knowledge to independently analyse earth materials in the field and in the laboratory and to report on the results. In particular, they will acquire the skills to assess issues relating to the engineering geology and hydrogeology of major infrastructure projects. They will develop the ability to systematise and apply their knowledge of engineering geology to the most common design applications.

Independence of judgement

The student will be able to independently analyse geological, technical and hydrogeological information derived from direct geognostic investigations, laboratory tests and groundwater level measurements.

Communication skills

Students will acquire the ability to explain the concepts covered using appropriate technical language to a variety of audiences, including both specialists and non-specialists. The oral examination will enable students to refine their technical language and communication skills.

Learning skills

Students will be able to independently expand their knowledge of the topics covered by studying texts and regulatory references in greater depth, as well as through insights gained from laboratory work, practical exercises and any additional educational activities organised as part of the course.

Course Structure

The course is delivered through a combination of theoretical and practical sessions, with practical exercises taking place both in the lecture theatre and in the Applied Geology and Environmental Hydrogeology laboratory, supported by multimedia materials (slides projected during lectures) and any handouts. Practical exercises are planned on some of the topics covered (e.g. calculation of the water balance and the well yield curve).

Required Prerequisites

The course requires students to have a basic understanding of mathematics and physics; the fundamentals of geology; rock identification; and geological mapping.

Attendance of Lessons

Attendance at lectures is compulsory in accordance with the academic regulations. Information for students with disabilities and/or specific learning difficulties (SLDs): to ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, students concerned may request a personal meeting with the lecturer in order to plan any compensatory and/or adaptive measures, in line with the teaching objectives and their specific needs. You may also contact the Department’s CInAP (Centre for Active and Participatory Integration – Services for Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Difficulties, https://www.cinap.unict.it/) liaison lecturer, Prof. Gabriele Lanzafame.

Detailed Course Content

Basic concepts of hydrogeology: the water balance, aquifers and groundwater tables, different types, springs and their classification, porosity and permeability, Darcy’s law, the stages involved in constructing a well and flow rate testing, groundwater chemistry, pumping tests.

Geological-hydrogeological feasibility study and main interventions in the design phases of roads, tunnels and dams.

Textbook Information

1) Principi di Geologia Applicata, di Laura Scesi, Monica Papini, Paola Gattinoni . Editore: CEA, Data diPubblicazione: 2014, ISBN: 9788808186423 2) Il manuale del geologo, di di Mario Casadio e Carlo Elmi. Editore Bonomo, Data di Pubblicazione 2023.EAN: 9788869722134 3) Geologia Tecnica, Laura Scesi, Monica Papini, Paola Gattinoni, Laura Longoni, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana. Distribuzione esclusiva Zanichelli, 4) Prospezioni idrogeologiche, Pietro Celico, Liguori editori, 5) Teaching materials (slides and handouts) that will be made available on the Studium platform Teaching materials (slides and handouts) that will be made available on the Studium platform

Course Planning

	Subjects	Text References
1	hydrogeology	3-4-5
2	engineering works	1-2-3-5

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Assessment of learning takes place orally, through questions on the syllabus covered. The examination will be held jointly with the ‘Hydrogeology and Major Infrastructure Projects’ module and will cover the content of both modules. The final mark will represent a balanced assessment of the candidate’s knowledge and their ability to summarise, present and make connections, as demonstrated during the examination; account will also be taken of the commitment, diligence and interest shown by the student during lectures and practical activities. During the examination, the candidate may also be asked to write down any formulas they have learnt and/or to sketch out, freehand, certain applied concepts (e.g. test diagrams and graphs).

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

What are the components of a water balance?

• aquifer and groundwater

• types of aquifers

• type of groundwater

• porosity and permeability

• Darcy’s law

• how a well is constructed

• how to estimate the operating flow rate

• what is saline intrusion into aquifers

• Piper diagram

• major infrastructure projects

VERSIONE IN ITALIANO

Degree Course in

Geological Sciences

TECHNICAL GEOLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY

Expected Learning Outcomes

Course Structure

Required Prerequisites

Attendance of Lessons

Detailed Course Content

Textbook Information

Course Planning

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

Suggerimenti e segnalazioni

Dipartimento di

Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali

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