Geotechnical Failures and Soil Improvement Methods

General

• Code: ΓΕΩ014
• Semester: 9th
• Study Level: Undergraduate
• Course type: Specialization
• Teaching and exams language: Ελληνικά
• Teaching Methods (Hours/Week): Lectures (4)
• ECTS Units: 5
• Prerequisite courses: (ΓΕΩ002) Soil mechanics Ι, (ΓΕΩ003) Soil mechanics ΙI, (ΓΕΩ004) Foundations Retaining Walls, (ΔΟΜ010) Reinforced Concrete I
• Exams Schedule:
  • 16/06/2026, 09:00 - 11:00:

Course Contents

Study, analysis and design of measures for improving soils at risk of geotechnical failures. Issues
related to soil failures (exceeding bearing capacity and/or settlements, liquefaction, etc.), slopes,
underground structures, etc. are examined.
Content of theory lectures and application exercises:
• Basic characteristics and mechanical strength parameters of the soil.
• Presentation of basic types of geotechnical failures. Study of related soil properties, loading
characteristics and causes leading to failure.
• Methods of improvement and strengthening soils under various risks (exceeding bearing capacity,
exceeding settlements, soil liquefaction, landslides, slope failure, hydraulic excavation, etc.). Design,
process, review of geotechnical parameters that are improved by each method.
• Detailed presentation and study of selected soil improvement methods based on literature
methods and code provisions (soil compaction, soil replacement, soil reinforcement with grouting,
micropiles, reinforced earth, geotextiles, soil preloading, drainage methods, gravel piles, etc.).
Correlation with actual geotechnical failure cases addressed by each proposed improvement method.
• Monitoring the behavior of improved soils.

Educational Goals

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
• Recognize, understand and describe the basic forms of geotechnical failures and their causes.
• Identify and comprehend the physical and mechanical geotechnical parameters associated with
potential failure and requiring improvement.
• Distinguish and evaluate the mechanism of the resulting improvement for each soil strengthening
method quantitatively assess the achieved improvement.
• Design and/or synthesize solutions based on the knowledge acquired during the lessons, and
evaluate the particular requirements of the problem at hand, in order to achieve the optimal result
of soil improvement.

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

• Κωστόπουλος Σ.Δ. (2008), “Γεωτεχνικές Κατασκευές ΙΙ”, Εκδόσεις Ίων, ISBN: 978-960-411-
  657-7
• Ρόζος Δ. (2008), ” Βελτίωση γεωτεχνικής συμπεριφοράς γεωλογικών σχηματισμών”,
  Ηλεκτρονικό σύγγραμμα (διάθεση δωρεάν)
• Χριστούλας Στ. (1998), “Επιλογές Εφαρμοσμένης Γεωτεχνικής Μηχανικής”, Εκδόσεις
  Συμεών, ISBN: 978-960-7888-11-1
• Barnes G.E. (2014), “Εδαφομηχανική: Αρχές και Εφαρμογές (3η έκδοση)”, Εκδόσεις
  Κλειδάριθμος, Αθήνα, ISBN: 978-960-461-578-0