Environmental Geotechnics

A consideration of technical and scientific aspects of key geo-societal issues. Case studies and analysis of current and historic databases will be used to illustrate topics including, but not limited to, impact of climate change, energy resources, water and soil pollution, and health risks posed by heavy metals and emerging pollutants. Upon successful completion of this course, the student would: • Have an exposure to interdisciplinary issues pertaining to environment and geotechnical engineering. • Be trained to develop sustainable and environmentally sound solutions for geotechnical problems. • Understand the relevance of various legal aspects involved in addressing environmental consequences associated with geotechnical issues

INTENDED AUDIENCE : Civil engineering, Geo- technical engineering, Environmental engineering, Geo-environmental engineeringPREREQUISITES :Sufficient exposure to Soil MechanicsINDUSTRY SUPPORT : Several that deal with: power generation, manufacturing, mining, mineral processing, chemicals & pharmaceuticals, agriculture, aquaculture, oil and petroleum,dredging, ports, land-filling, construction, infrastructure

COURSE LAYOUT

Week 1 : Basic introduction, Scope and GenesisWeek 2 : Contemporary Civil Engineering, Recent Trends
Week 3 : Contaminant transport and Fate of contaminants, Soil- Water- Environment InteractionWeek 4 : What is waste?, Type of wastes Week 5 : Applications of Industrial By-products, Geomaterial characterization
Week 6 : Geomaterial characterization
Week 7 : Geomaterial characterization
Week 8 : Contaminant transport through porous media
Week 9 : Sorption & Desorption characteristics of geomaterials
Week 10 : Thermal characterization of geomaterials
Week 11 : Electrical characterization of geomaterials
Week 12 : Swelling and shrinkage characteristics of soils