Geotecnia Urbana

It is recommended that students have already attended, preferably with success, the Environmental Geotechnics and Sustainability course, taught in the first year of the degree.

In classes, the expository and inquisitive method is used when explaining theoretical subjects. Whenever possible, active student-centred
methodologies will be implemented in classes, namely the flipped classroom, project-based learning and jigsaw classroom. This solution, which requires prior preparation from students,
allows for more effective use of contact hours. During classes, interactive activities are used through digital pedagogical platforms, aiming
at greater participation and interest of students. Several laboratory moments are planned for an easier assimilation of the physical meaning
of various geotechnical quantities. After identifying an urban problem in the city of Coimbra, or another, the students, through various tasks
included in the problem-based learning methodology, through which the students acquire transversal skills while implementing the knowledge
that they acquire throughout the semester, devise practical solutions.

By the end of the semester, students should have developed the following skills:

Specific skills:

• distinguish the main geotechnical parameters of strength, permeability and compressibility;
• reflect on the effects of soil sealing;
• design green infrastructure to solve/mitigate urban problems;
• identify and characterise the main urban geotechnical structures;
• predict the behaviour of urban geotechnical structures based on geometric and geotechnical constraints;
• persuade others about possible geotechnical risks.

Transversal skills:

• communicate orally and in writing;
• research and summarise information from reliable sources.
• work in a team

Seepage. Soil permeability. One- and two-dimensional percolation. Hydraulic instability.
Soil sealing. Extension of soil sealing in cities. Consequences on the urban water cycle and the urban heat island effect.
Green infrastructures. Types of infrastructures. Benefits and limitations of green infrastructure. Infrastructures on a local, regional and global
scale.
Soil shear resistance. Understanding frictional force and normal to the plane, tangential and normal stress. Failure criteria. Stress-strainresistance
relationship.
Earthworks. Embankments and excavations. Natural and artificial slopes.
Retaining structures. Types of retaining and excavation structures. Notions of external and internal soil stability.
Foundations of urban structures. Shallow and deep foundations. Construction processes.
Deformability and compressibility. Short and long term behavior. Horizontal settlements and deformations.

NAO