Landslides are one of
the most destructive natural disasters. They are responsible each year of a
large number of casualties and economic losses worldwide. Landslide modeling is
of foremost importance for the mitigation of landslide risk both at a local and
regional scales. Scope of the course is to introduce students to the basic
theories and methods of landslide modeling and risk mitigation. The first part of the course
reviews basic concepts of slope movements and erosional processes considering
the various geological, geomorphological, hydrogeological and geotechnical
settings. Topics include the study of the different mechanisms of slope instabilities
and the corresponding analytical and numerical methods to be used in static condition
taking into account their complex time-dependent behavior in mathematical and
physically-based models. Pre-failure, progressive failures, reactivation and
catastrophic failure conditions will be thoroughly analyzed.
The second part of the course focuses on selection and design of structural and geotechnical mitigation measures aimed at slope stabilization and landslide risk mitigation. Topics include an overview of ground improvement techniques, mechanical and hydraulic interventions, insertion of rigid inclusions, stabilization by modifying the geometry of the slope and by using of geosynthetics for natural and artificial slopes.
The course will consist of lectures to illustrate the theory and practical sessions where the emphasis is on problem solving.
- Professor: DOMENICO GIOFFRE'