Dams and Earth Structures

General

• Code: ΓΕΩ016
• Semester: 9th
• Study Level: Undergraduate
• Course type: Specialization
• Teaching and exams language: Ελληνικά
• The course is offered to Erasmus students
• Teaching Methods (Hours/Week): Lectures (4)
• ECTS Units: 5
• Prerequisite courses: (ΥΔΡ003) Hydraulics, (ΓΕΩ002) Soil mechanics Ι, (ΓΕΩ003) Soil mechanics ΙI

Course Contents

Study of various types of dams and accompanying soil constructions (e.g. slopes) based on the
respective code provisions. Development of topics such as underground water flow, soil
permeability, excavation problems and their mitigation.
Content of theory lectures and exercises:
• Introduction to the subject – necessity of dams and earthworks.
• Presentation of different types of dams and accompanying structures – basic principles of earth
dam construction – physical characteristics of utilized soil materials.
• Soil permeability, groundwater flow, water flow networks.
• Study of earth dams and accompanying structures based on literature and code provisions.
• Problems and causes of failure in earth dams and their mitigation – presentation of historic cases.
Monitoring the dam behavior with instrumentation.

Educational Goals

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
• Recognize and understand the different types of dams and appreciate the importance of the
required accompanying constructions.
• Evaluate the basic physical and mechanical parameters of soil materials and select those suitable
for the construction of dams and related earth structures.
• Distinguish and evaluate the possible causes of failure in earth dams and propose solutions based
on the knowledge acquired during the lectures.
• Conduct basic stability checks for the dam construction.
• Prescribe the fundamental parameters of the accompanying constructions for the proper
operation of a dam.
• Propose an appropriate monitoring plan for assessing the dam behavior and evaluate the
respective results.

General Skills

The course contributes to the following skills:
• Search, analysis and synthesis of data and information, with the use of the necessary technology
• Decision-making
• Working independently
• Team work
• Working in an interdisciplinary environment
• Project planning

Teaching Methods

Face to face.

Use of ICT means

Lecture presentations using computer and projector, in
person or by teleconference (remotely) if required.
Support of the learning process through the e-learning
platform and electronic communication with students
(online announcements and comments, e-mail,
announcements on the Department’s website etc.). If
required, support of students by using teleconference tools
and software.

Teaching Organization

Students Evaluation

Written final examination including:
• Theoretical knowledge and judgment questions on course
subjects
• Solving problems-exercises
Written assignment (compulsory) which includes:
• Processing and solving exercises-problems
• Assessment of understanding key concepts of the course

Recommended Bibliography

• Σαχπάζης Κ. (2018), “Γεωτεχνική Μηχανική των Φραγμάτων”, Εκδόσεις Τσαπραΐλη
  Χρυσάνθη, ISBN: 978-618-83547-0-8
• Τσόγκας Χ.Ε. (2018), “Υδροδυναμικά Έργα”, Εκδόσεις ΖΗΤΗ, ISBN: 978-960-456-509-2
• Μαραγκός Δ. (2000), “Τεχνικά Έργα Υποδομής (2η έκδοση)”, Εκδόσεις Νικόλαος Μαραγκός,
  ISBN: 960-7834-00-3
• • [In Greek] Σαχπάζης Κ. (2018), “Γεωτεχνική Μηχανική των Φραγμάτων”, Εκδόσεις Τσαπραΐλη
  Χρυσάνθη, ISBN: 978-618-83547-0-8
  • [In Greek] Τσόγκας Χ.Ε. (2018), “Υδροδυναμικά Έργα”, Εκδόσεις ΖΗΤΗ, ISBN: 978-960-456-509-2
  • [In Greek] Μαραγκός Δ. (2000), “Τεχνικά Έργα Υποδομής (2η έκδοση)”, Εκδόσεις Νικόλαος
  Μαραγκός, ISBN: 960-7834-00-3