- To understand fluid flow dynamics in porous media and their impact on geological formations.
- To analyse effective stress and pore pressures in various soil and rock types.
- To evaluate how groundwater influences soil stability and rock integrity.
- To explore soil consolidation processes and their importance in engineering.
- To assess the design and operation of wells and pumping systems.
- To interpret data related to groundwater effects on construction projects.
- To apply theoretical knowledge of groundwater dynamics to real-world scenarios.
UNIT 1. FLUID FLOW IN POROUS MEDIA. Groundwater. Aquifer Types. Darcy's Law. Hydraulic Head and Hydraulic Gradient. Permeability. Mechanics and Theory of Fluid Flow in Porous Media. Flow Nets. The Method of Fragments. UNIT 2. EFFECTIVE STRESS AND PORE PRESSURES. WATER EFFECTS ON SOIL AND ROCKS. The Effective Stress Principle. Application in Soil and Rocks. Stress Distribution in the Ground. Hydraulic heave, uplift, internal erosion and piping. Filters. Concept, Use and Preliminary Design. Water Effects on the Rock Matrix and the Rock Mass. UNIT 3. SOIL CONSOLIDATION. Introduction. The Magnitude of the Consolidation Settlement. The Evolution of the Consolidation Settlement. The Parabolic Isochrones Theory. Preloading and Mixed and Radial Consolidation UNIT 4. WELLS AND PUMPING SYSTEMS. Construction of Wells. Design of Wells. Analytical Solutions for Individual Wells. Design of Groups of Wells. Analytical Solutions for groupd of wells. Construction of Wellpoints. Design of Wellpoints.