Knowledge and understanding

The course aims to provide theoretical and experimental knowledge for the planning, design/verification, construction and operation of hydraulic engineering systems and structures intended for river training and for the protection and mitigation of hydraulic risk due to river flooding. Basic principles of river protection and restoration will also be provided.

Applying knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course, students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to the analysis and design/verification of systems and structures for river training and for hydraulic risk protection and mitigation in natural and urban catchments, also through the use of the computational tools employed during the practical exercises.

Making judgements

Through the practical exercises, students will develop the ability to analyse problems related to the hydraulic protection of natural and urban catchments and the quantitative protection of watercourses, 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 terminology of river engineering and to clearly describe the problems analysed, the methodologies applied and the results obtained during the practical exercises. The oral examination will also contribute to developing and assessing the ability to present and discuss the course topics.

Learning skills

Students will acquire the methodological tools required to independently explore topics related to river training, hydraulic risk protection and mitigation, and river protection and restoration, also through the use of the computational tools and methodologies addressed during the course.

UN 2030 AGENDA GOALS

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

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

Goal 13: strengthening knowledge and capacity related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.

Goal 15: combating desertification and land degradation, with particular reference to the effects of droughts and floods.

The course is delivered through face-to-face teaching. It includes theoretical lectures and practical exercises carried out individually in the classroom. The practical exercises, carried out using specific software, concern the hydraulic protection of natural and urban catchments and the quantitative protection of watercourses.

Basic knowledge of Hydraulics and Hydrology is recommended. Familiarity with spreadsheets (e.g., Excel) and basic knowledge of programming languages are also useful.

Attendance is strongly recommended, as it is consistent with the proposed educational approach, which aims to promote gradual learning, active student participation and interaction between instructors and students. Students who, upon submission of the required documentation, have been granted a special status under University regulations will agree with the instructor on attendance arrangements and the completion of the practical exercises.

INTRODUCTION

The role of river engineering in soil and water conservation, water resources utilization and environmental protection. Regulatory aspects of river basin management. Hydrogeological Management Plan (Piano di Assetto Idrogeologico). Examples of river engineering and river restoration measures.

REVIEW OF HYDROLOGY AND HYDRAULICS

Review of hydrology and fluvial geomorphology. Characteristic curves of watercourses. Review of hydraulics. Open-channel flow hydraulics.

HYDRAULIC PROTECTION OF NATURAL CATCHMENTS

Measures for flood risk assessment and mitigation. Hillslope erosion. Equilibrium, compensation and design slopes. Criteria for the hydraulic management of torrents. Hydraulic design and structural verification of check dams. Design criteria for grade-control structures. River training in downstream reaches. Groynes and related design criteria. Flood protection in lowland areas. Levees and related design criteria. Levee stability verification. Piping verification. Levee protection. Channel resizing. River straightening. Flood diversion channels. Flood detention basins.

HYDRAULIC PROTECTION OF URBAN CATCHMENTS

Flood risk mitigation in urban areas. Hydraulic and hydrological invariance. Overview of urban drainage systems. Combined sewer overflows. Receiving water bodies and sustainability of discharges. Best management practices and measures for the restoration of urban catchments.

TEXTBOOKS

1. Da Deppo, L., Datei, C., Salandin P. (1995). Sistemazione dei corsi d’acqua. Ed. Libreria Cortina, Padova.

2. Armanini, A. (1999). Principi di Idraulica Fluviale. Ed. BIOS, Cosenza.

3. Centro Studi Idraulica Urbana – Sistemi di fognatura: manuale di progettazione. Hoepli, 1997.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING MATERIAL

4. Handouts/slides used during lectures.

Students are required to pass an oral examination. 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 and their ability to correctly use the technical terminology of the discipline.

The quality of the design exercises is assessed with reference to the correct application of the methodologies addressed during the course and the ability to analyse and interpret the results obtained.

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

·       Fail: insufficient knowledge of fundamental topics and significant deficiencies in the ability to apply the acquired knowledge;

·       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 course contents, good analytical and application skills, and appropriate use of technical terminology;

·       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 legislation, interested students may request a personal 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.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of topics that may be covered in the assessment:

·       Characteristic curves of watercourses

·       Hydrogeological Management Plan (Piano di Assetto Idrogeologico)

·       River training measures in mountain reaches

·       Hydraulic design and structural verification of check dams

·       River training measures in downstream reaches

·       Verification of river levees

·       Watercourses in urban areas

·       Combined sewer overflows