The course is aimed at providing the basis of soil-structure interaction problems and advanced soil and rock mass behaviour. The problems are trated also under the light of Eurocodes, showing its application and validity limits. Classic static problems, such as foundations and earth retaining strutures, are treated as well as dynamic problems concerning impacts of various types of lanslides on structures. The main purpose of the course is to discuss both theoretical framework and practical solution of the involved engineering problems. Students will be provided with conceptual and practical (i.e. numerical) tools for analysing and solving problems that involve the interaction between structures and soils, in the framework of current standards.

The purpose of the course is to give students knowledge of the theoretical issues, capability to perform structural design analyses and choose the appropariate methods, capability to present their conclusions. With reference to the European descriptors:

• Knowledge and understanding (DdD1): knowledge of theories for modelling of soils and soil-structure interaction both in static and dynamic conditions.
• Applying knowledge and understanding (DdD2): ability to choose the appropriate modelling approach and the design parameters of the problems under investigation.
• Communication skills (DdD4): capability to report the conclusions of the analyses and the outcomes of the design procedure in a clear and consistent way.
• Learning skills (DdD5): ability to elaborate information on the basis of the provided teaching.

• Insitu tests

CPT, SPT, vane test, pressuremeter, dilatometer. Correlations with soil mechanical parameters.

• The "macro-element" concept

Ultimate load, load-displacement curves. Application to: shallow foundations, retaining walls, cyclic loading conditions, buried structures (pipeline-landslide interaction).

• Eurocode 7

Principles and application to geotechnical design. Shallow and deep foundations, retaining structures, anchors.

• Special retaining structures

Rockfall Shelters and dynamic interaction problems. Experimental results and design approaches. Structural response in dynamic conditions.

• Principles of rock mechanics and rock slope stability

Rock mass classification. Mechanical behaviour of joints. Discrete modelling of rock masses.

• Numerical analysis of embedded retaining walls

Principles and use of a numerical code (ParatiePlus), with practical application to a case study.

Basics of soil mechanics and classical geotechnical engineering problems.

• Home assignment: individual evaluation of design calculation performed with numerical codes, as introduced during the laboratory sessions of the course.
• Written test: solution of design problems on selected topics (EC application, shallow foundations under combined loads, retaining structures, rock blocks stability).
• Oral exam: questions on all theoretical topics treated during the lectures.

The oral exam will start with the discussion of the report and of the written exam.