Applied Geology for the Safeguarding of Archaeological and Architectural Heritage
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide the geological and geological-technical knowledge tools necessary for understanding the natural phenomena that influence the development and enjoyment of cultural, landscape, and/or architectural heritage. Furthermore, the student must acquire an adequate education that enables multidisciplinary relations with other professional figures involved in the protection and management of assets.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will have acquired the basic knowledge related to the rheology of geological materials (soils, rocks, and rock masses) and the main geotechnical and geomorphological processes they may be subjected to. They will be able to formulate reasonable hypotheses about the main issues that can affect the preservation and enjoyment of cultural, landscape, and subordinately architectural assets, in relation to the geological-technical context in which they are situated. They will possess an appropriate geological-technical glossary to understand the content of geological-application documents, including thematic maps of susceptibility to instability, hazard, and risk.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Teaching provided in alternate years, active in the academic year 2025-26
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
INTRODUCTION: What are Engineering Geology and Applied Geology? Fields of application and survey tools. Which are the geological means? SOIL: Genetic Environments. Physical properties of soils: properties of individual grains and aggregate soil properties. Geotechnical Classification Systems (USCS). Groundwater flow. Principle of effective stress. Geostatic stress, effect of phreatic and confining aquifer. Soil consolidation (Oedometer Test) and shear strength behaviour (Uniaxial and triaxial compression tests; direct shear test). ROCK MASSES: intact rock and joints. Continuous or discontinuous behaviour? Intact rock properties and classification by geomechanical laboratory tests. Joint properties and shear strength parameters. Rock mass characterization and geomechanical classification.PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE: SMALL-SCALE APPLICATIONS, HAZARD and HYDROGEOLOGICAL RISK CARTOGRAPHY. General concepts: definition and examples of hazard, vulnerability and risk. Cartographies and databases accessible at regional, national and European level. Cartographic tools. Cartography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Reading of topographic and thematic maps. From forecasting to risk management and mitigation: hydrogeological, seismic and volcanic risk. 1) Hydrogeological risks. LANDSLIDES: mapping of landslide areas EROSION: effects on the territory in different environmental contexts; assessment methods; influencing factors. FLOODS: Determination of buffer zones; assessment methods; influence factors; landscape and architectural constraints. 2) Seismic and volcanic risk: effects induced by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, seismic microzonation. Examples on the Italian territory.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of topography, mineralogy, petrography and geomorphology is required.
Teaching methods
The course involves traditional lectures where the relevant topics are introduced, and applications are discussed by illustrating practical case studies.
Teaching Resources
The teaching material (handouts and references) will be shared on My Ariel
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral presentation of a selected case study inspired from the topics of the course, followed by an oral examination to evaluate the knowledge and comprehension of the topics in the syllabus
GEO/05 - ENGINEERING GEOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Apuani Tiziana, Stevenazzi Stefania
Professor(s)