COSTRUZIONI IDRAULICHE FLUVIALI E MARITTIME

Knowledge and understanding

The course aims to provide basic knowledge, tools and methodologies required for the planning, design and management of structural and non-structural measures for the hydraulic protection of inland and coastal areas in urban and non-urban environments. Specifically, students will gain an understanding of the design and management issues related to the main river training and protection structures, damming and water intake structures in watercourses, and hydraulic structures in coastal areas, with particular reference to seawater intake systems, sea outfalls and associated protection structures.

Applying knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course, students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to the analysis and design of the main river training and protection structures, flood risk mitigation measures, and hydraulic structures in maritime and coastal areas, also through the use of the computational and modelling tools employed during the practical exercises.

Making judgements

Through the practical exercises, students will develop the ability to critically analyse problems related to river training and protection, flood risk mitigation, and hydraulic structures in coastal areas, assessing the most appropriate technical solutions in relation to the problem under consideration.

Communication skills

Students will acquire the ability to correctly use the technical language of hydraulic structures and to clearly describe the problems analysed, the methodologies applied and the results obtained. Group practical exercises will also contribute to developing the ability to prepare and communicate results through technical reports.

Learning skills

Students will acquire the methodological tools required to independently explore topics related to river training and protection, flood risk mitigation, and hydraulic structures in maritime and coastal areas, also through the use of the analysis and modelling tools addressed during the course.

2030 Agenda Goals

The course contributes in particular to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

Goal 6: protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems and efficient and sustainable use of water resources.

Goal 11: development of cities and human settlements resilient to disasters and promotion of integrated risk management.

Goal 13: improvement of knowledge and capacities related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.

Goal 15: combating desertification and land degradation, including the effects of droughts and floods.

The course will be delivered through:

• interactive lectures aimed at encouraging active student participation and facilitating the acquisition and critical understanding of the topics covered;
  
• guided classroom exercises aimed at applying the main concepts and analysis and modelling methods used in the field of Hydraulic Structures, including the use of professional software such as MATLAB, QGIS and HEC-RAS, in order to develop practical skills applicable to hydraulic engineering;
  
• guided visits to hydraulic structures located in the area.
  

The level of learning achieved will be assessed based on students’ ability to communicate the knowledge acquired during lectures, critically analyse

and appropriately use information, and prepare technical reports on the exercises carried out while actively working in groups.

Guidance for the activities will be provided in the classroom, while additional support will be available during office hours.

Attendance at theoretical lectures and practical exercises is strongly recommended, as it represents an important opportunity for discussion, further study and consolidation of skills.

Students who have been granted a specific status under University regulations will agree with the instructor on attendance arrangements and the completion of practical exercises.

INTRODUCTION

General overview of river and maritime hydraulic structures. Issues related to water use and environmental protection. Regulatory aspects.

RIVER TRAINING MEASURES

Review of hydrology and fluvial geomorphology. Characteristic curves of watercourses. Review of open-channel hydraulics. Flood risk and flood risk mapping. Structural and non-structural measures for flood risk mitigation. Measures in mountainous areas. Hillslope erosion. Criteria for hydraulic training of torrents. Check dams and grade-control structures. Bank protection works. Measures in lowland areas. Levees and design criteria. Levee stability verification. Channel resizing. River straightening. Eco-hydrological aspects.

FLOOD RISK MITIGATION MEASURES

River floods. Hydraulic and hydrological invariance. Flood attenuation. Reservoirs and flood detention basins. Dams and reservoir management. Purposes of dams and reservoirs. Construction aspects and ancillary works. Simulation and optimization models for reservoir management. Environmental flow.

HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES AND MEASURES IN MARITIME AND COASTAL AREAS

General aspects of maritime and coastal hydraulic infrastructures and structures. Seawater intake and utilization structures. Structures for drainage and discharge of stormwater into the sea. Submarine pipelines. Environmental issues. Construction aspects, materials and design of ancillary protection structures.

Recommended textbooks and additional teaching materials

1. L. Da Deppo, C. Datei, P. Salandin – Sistemazione dei corsi d’acqua, Edizioni Libreria Cortina, Padova, 2004.

2. G. Becciu, A. Paoletti – Fondamenti di Costruzioni Idrauliche, UTET Scienze Tecniche, Peschiera Borromeo (MI), 2010.

3. R. Rosso – Manuale di protezione idraulica del territorio, kdp.amazon.com, 2018.

4. Centro Studi Deflussi Urbani – Sistemi di fognatura. Manuale di progettazione. Hoepli, 1997.

5. Slides used during lectures.

The examination consists of a single oral test, generally comprising three questions, each covering one of the main sections of the course. Registration for an examination session is mandatory and must be completed exclusively through the "Student Portal" during the established registration periods. On the day of the examination session, after consulting the students who have registered in advance and taking into account their preferences, the instructor schedules the examination sittings to be held before the opening of the following examination session.

The overall assessment takes into account the outcome of the oral examination, the quality of the design exercises carried out during the course, and the consistency of active participation in class.

The oral examination is aimed at assessing students’ knowledge and understanding of the course topics, their ability to apply the acquired knowledge, critically analyse the problems addressed, and correctly use the technical language of the discipline.

The quality of the design exercises is assessed with reference to the correct application of the main concepts and analysis and modelling methods addressed during the course, the ability to analyse and interpret the results obtained, and the quality of the related technical reports.

The final grade will be awarded according to the following criteria:

• Fail: insufficient knowledge of fundamental topics, significant deficiencies in the ability to apply the acquired knowledge, and inadequate use of technical language;
  
• 18–21: sufficient knowledge of the main contents and basic ability to apply the acquired knowledge;
  
• 22–25: satisfactory knowledge of the topics and correct application of the acquired knowledge, with satisfactory analytical skills;
  
• 26–28: good knowledge of the contents, good analytical and application skills, and appropriate use of technical language;
  
• 29–30: in-depth knowledge, ability to critically integrate the different topics and independently address the problems proposed;
  
• 30 with honours: excellent and comprehensive knowledge, a high degree of autonomy in applying the acquired knowledge, and excellent analytical, synthesis and communication skills.
  

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current regulations, interested students may request an individual meeting in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on the learning objectives and their specific needs. Students may also contact the CInAP (Centre for Active and Participatory Integration – Services for Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders) representative within their Department.

• Flood risk assessment
• Hydraulic calculation of gravity check dams
• Design of grade-control structures
• Bank protection works
• Flood protection in downstream river reaches
• Flood attenuation
• Structural elements of a dam
• Reservoir sizing and simulation
• Environmental flow assessment
• Seawater intake structures
• Submarine pipelines for sea outfalls