SUBJECT OUTLINE

1. Information on the programme

1.1.Higher education institution UNIVERSITY OF BUCHAREST
1.2. Faculty GEOLOGY and GEOPHYSICS
1.3. Department GEOPHYSICS
1.4. Field of study GEOPHYSICS
1.5.Education level Bachelor/ Master
1.6.Specialization/Study programme APPLIED GEOPHYSICS
1.7. Form of education Full time

2. Information on the discipline

2.1.Name of the GEOPHYSICS IN GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

discipline
2.2.Course coordinator Lecturer Dr. Florina Ţuluca
2.3.Seminar/ laboratory/ project coordinator Lecturer Dr. Florina Ţuluca
2.4. Year of study II 2.5. Semester 3 2.6. Type of 2.7. Content2 AK
evaluation E Discipline
status Compulsoriness3 CD

3. Total estimated time(teaching hours per semester)

3.1.Hours per week –full time out of which: 3.3. seminar/ laboratory/
28 2 2
programme 3.2.lecture project
3.4.Total number of hours in the Out of which:
28 14 3.6.seminar/laboratory 14
curriculum 3.5.lecture
Distribution of the time allotted hours
3.4.1.Study based on book, textbook, bibliography and notes 30
3.4.2. Additional documentation in the library, specialized electronic platforms and field 15
3.4.3. Preparing seminars/ laboratories/ projects, subjects, reports, portfolios and essays 10
3.4.4.Tutorials 5
3.4.5.Examinations 2
3.4.6. Other activities 10
3.7. Total hours of individual study 72
3.8. Total hours per semester 100
3.9. Number of credits4 4

4. Prerequisites(is applicable)

4.1. curriculum-related Basic knowledge on geophysical methods

4.2. skills-related Basic knowledge of English terms for geophysics, computer skills and operating of
geophysical software for maps and sections construction

5. Conditions (if applicable)

5.1.for the lecture The course is interactive, students can ask questions regarding the content of
lecture.Academic discipline requires compliance with the start and end of the
course. We do not allow any other activities during the lecture;
5.2.for the seminar/ laboratory/ During practical works, each student will develop an individual activity with
project laboratory materials (maps, sections, samples, equipment) and software programs.
Academic discipline is imposed throughout the course of practical works.
6. Specific competences acquired

During this multidisciplinary course, students will achieve theoretical knowledge and practical skills on several
competences
Professional

key elements that will allow them to have an expertise in geophysical methods applied for geotechnical sites
survey. They will be able to plan a geophysical field campaign for specific objective of investigation, to select
the proper geophysical methods and tools as well to know data processing steps and to interpret the resulted
models.

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 The professional skills gained during this multidisciplinary course will enable students to work in
multidisciplinary projects, to decide by themselves on the best investigation methods & geophysical tools, to be

competences
Transversal
able to promote the integration of geophysical measurements (mostly non-invasive) for enhanced geotechnical
assessment of sites.
Tracked attitudinal aspects: understanding professional responsibility and understanding the need for a high
ethical standard the geophysical engineering.

7. Course objectives(based on the list of competences acquired)

7.1.Overall course objective The overall objective is to prepare students to deliver adequate geophysical
technical investigation plans for enhanced geotechnical assessment of sites and
for detection of buried objects that might represent a risk for excavation works,
for building construction or other terrain utilization.
7.2.Specific objectives Students will acquire advanced theoretical knowledge on Electrical and
Electromagnetic Methods
Students will learn about the newest data-collecting technology
Students will acquire advanced practical skills for electrical and electromagnetic
methods data modelling, inversion and interpretation.
Students will be understand the professional responsibility and ethical standard
while working in geophysical engineering
Students will learn to work for multidisciplinary projects in the field of
geophysics for geotechnical site investigation
Students will acquire advanced knowledge for appliance of geophysical
methods in assessment of monitoring of infrastructure.
Students will learn about the newest procedures for Unexploded Ordnances
(UXO) site investigation

8. Content

8.1.LECTURE Teaching methods Notes

Number of hours –14
Lecture 1 lecture = 2 hours

1.Links between geophysics and geotechnical models

1.1. Geotechnical properties derived from
geophysical properties Lecture using digital 4 hours
1.2. Geotechnical vs. geophysical models technologies
1.3. Benefits of combining geophysical and
geotechnical measurements
2. Advanced geophysical equipment for civil Lecture using digital 2 hours
engineering applications technologies
3. Geophysical methods for pre-foundation investigation Lecture using digital 2 hours
and assessment of hazards induced by constructions technologies
4.Geophysical investigation for infrastructure planning,
assessment and monitoring
4.1. Geophysical underground evaluation for
infrastructure planning
4.2. Assessing infrastructure condition using 4 hours
geophysics (e.g., Embankments, Slopes, Lecture using digital
Tunnels, Dams, Highways, Bridges, Railroads, technologies
Airports).
4.3.Geophysical monitoring during and after
construction
5. Detection and evaluation of buried objects and
utilities using geophysical methods. International Lecture using digital
practice for Unexploded Ordnance (UXO - unexploded technologies 2 hours
bombs - UXBs & explosive remnants of war - ERW)
site survey
Compulsory bibliography:
Butler K. D (ed), 2005, Near-Surface Geophysics, Society of Exploration Geophysicists printing house.
Georgescu P., Chitea F., 2016, Prospecţiuni electrice I, Editura Univ. Bucureşti.
Benedetto A., Pajewski L. (ed), 2015, Civil Engineering Applications of Ground Penetrating Radar, Print ISBN: 978-3-
319-04812-3, Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-04813-0, Springer International Publishing

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 McDowell P.W., Barker R. D., Butcher A.P., Culshaw M.G., Jackson P.D., McCann D.M, Skipp B.O., Matthews S.L.,
Arthur J.C.R., 2002, Geophysics in engineering investigations, CIRIA
Peng S., Zhang J., 2007, Engineering geology for underground rocks, Springer ISBN 978-3-540-73294-5
Reynolds J.M.,1997, An introduction to applied and environmental geophysics, Wiley
Schoen J.H., 2004. Physical Properties of Rocks. Fundamentals and Principles of Petrophysics. Elsevier.
Waltham T., 2009, Foundations of Engineering Geology, 3rd edition, Taylor & Francis, London & New York
Optional bibliography: Telford W.M., Geldart L.P., Sheriff, R.E., Keys D.A., 1990, Applied Geophysics, 2nd edition,
Cambridge University Press
Chitea F., Nutu-Dragomir L.M., 2019, Electrical resistivity tomography contribution to non-invasive landslide
characterization in Dambovita County (Romania), 19th International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference SGEM
2019, Conference proceedings, volume 19, Issue 1.1, pp 787-794
Chitea F., Stanciu I.M., Ioane D., 2019. Filled and unfilled underground voids evaluation using electrical resistivity
method, 19th International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference SGEM 2019, Conference proceedings, volume
19, Issue 1.1, pp. 795-802, DOI: 10.5593/sgem2019/1.1/S05.099,
Diaconu A., Chitea F., Assessing hazardous geological features for tunnel construction by means of geotechnical and
geophysical methods, 18 th Int. Multidisciplinary Scientific Conference SGEM 2018, Conference Proceedings Volume

8.2. PRACTICAL WORK Theoretical presentation of 1 labwork (2 hours/work)

Number of hours –14 practical works

Construction of a 2 (4 hours)
geophysical survey plan for
Projecting a geophysical survey for ground stability
underground void
evaluation in mining areas
investigation and hazardous
triggered effects.
EM signal analysis for 2 (4 hours)
Buried utilities detection using electromagnetic methods. detecting metallic and non-
metallic buried targets.
Processing, modeling, inversion and interpretation of the Complete flux of data 3 (6 hours)
geophysical data for a selected case study: buried analysis and interpretation ,
foundation evaluation/ infrastructure assessment/ including synthetic modeling
landslide/ underground voids detection approach.
Compulsory bibliography: Loke M.H., 2010, Res2Dinv tutorial - Geotomo Software
Schoen J.H., 2004. Physical Properties of Rocks. Fundamentals and Principles of Petrophysics. Elsevier.
Georgescu P., Chitea F., 2016, Prospecţiuni electrice I, Editura Univ. Bucureşti.
Chitea F., Ioane D., Damian A., 2015, Geophysical studies for hazard delineation in salt mine environments,
10.5593/SGEM2015/B13/S5.113, 15th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConferences SGEM 2105, Vol 3,
pp 871-878, ISBN 978-619-7105-33-9 / ISSN 1314-2704
Chitea, F., Stanciu, I.M., Ioane, D., 2019. Filled and unfilled underground voids evaluation using electrical resistivity
method, 19th International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference SGEM 2019, Conference proceedings, volume
19, Issue 1.1, pp. 795-802, DOI: 10.5593/sgem2019/1.1/S05.099
Optional bibliography: Telford W.M., Geldart L.P., Sheriff, R.E., Keys D.A., 1990, Applied Geophysics, 2nd edition,
Cambridge University Press
Waltham T., 2009, Foundations of Engineering Geology, 3rd edition, Taylor & Francis, London & New York
Biswas A.,, Sharma S. P. (ed), 2020, Advances in Modeling and Interpretation in Near Surface Geophysics, ISSN 2364-
9119, ISSN 2364-9127 (electronic), Springer Geophysics
Chitea F., Ioane D., Tolbes C., Calin M.C., Diaconu A., 2019, Detection of buried foundations in urban environment by
Electrical Resistivity Tomography, Balkan Geophysical Society Congress 2019, BGS2019-ENG5.2-N64O5
Serban A., Chitea F., Ioane D., 2015, ERT investigation of a buried water reservoir, 10.5593/SGEM2015/B13/S5.109,
15th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConferences SGEM 2105, Vol 3,pp 839-846, ISBN 978-619-7105-
33-9 / ISSN 1314-2704

9. Corroborating the course content with the expectations of the epistemic community representatives, of
the professional associations and of the relevant stakeholders in the corresponding field

The content of the course is elaborated in accordance with the actual market necessities in civil engineering works and
international standards for enhanced evaluation of underground condition by geophysical methods, to assist in lowering
the risks and costs associated with natural hazards or the ones triggered by anthropic activities.

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10. Assessment

10.3.Percentage
Type of activity 10.1.Assessment criteria 10.2.Assessment methods of the final
grade
10.4.Lecture Answers at the examination Written test 80%
10.5. Seminar/Laboratory Answers at laboratory works Oral presentation of final 20%
assignments results obtained at laboratory
works
10.6. Minimum performance standards - Correct answers to 50% of the written test subjects and completing of the
laboratory works assignments

1
Education levels- choose of the three options: Bachelor/Master/Ph.D.
2
Discipline status (content)-for the undergraduate level, choose one of the options:-FD (fundamental discipline), BD
(basic discipline), CS (specific disciplines-clinical sciences), AP (specific disciplines-animal production),FH (specific
disciplines, UO (disciplines based on the university’s options). -for the Master level, choose one of the options: AK-
Advanced Knowledge, CT- Complementary Training, S- Synthesis
3
Discipline status (compulsoriness) - choose one of the options – CD ( compulsory discipline) OD (optional discipline)
ED ( elective discipline).
4
One credit is equivalent to 25 hours of study (teaching activities and individual study).

Approved by the Head of the Department

Department on Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bogdan Mihai Niculescu
11.01.2021

Approved by the Faculty Dean

Council on Prof. dr. ing. Lucian Petrescu
19.10.2021