INTRODUCTION TO GEOLOGY AND PETROGRAPHY
Academic year and teacher
If you can't find the course description that you're looking for in the above list,
please see the following instructions >>
- Versione italiana
- Academic year
- 2019/2020
- Teacher
- MARCO STEFANI
- Credits
- 6
- Didactic period
- Secondo Semestre
Training objectives
- (A) DIDACTICAL TARGETS.
The course is aimed at providing a synthetic introduction to Earth Sciences subjects relevant to the understanding of the architecture , and the architect work. The lessons will illustrate subjects such as:
natural rocks and their technological products used in building and architecture decoration, with examples of the European historic architecture, particularly from Italian historic towns,
the seismic activity the related dangers and the historic seismology of Italy and the Mediterranean Region,
the nature and mitigation of the natural hazards, induced by tsunami, river and sea flooding,
the physical influences on the development of the anthropic sites, with Italian examples.
(b) abilities
Classification and recognition of the main rock types, with a particular attention for the lithologies used in the historic architecture of Italy and of other regions of Europe.
Understanding of the impact of seismic acceleration on buildins, criteria of the seismic risk zonation.
Basic understanding of the geotechnical measures and of the cone penetration tests.
Understanding of technical reports and cartography on environmental risks induced by landslides, flooding, coastal erosion, earthquakes. Prerequisites
- No previous advanced and specialist knowledge is needed for the course to be profitably followed. A good understanding of the 3D geometric relationships depicted in the map and architecture plan is a useful ability for an easier fruition of the didactic activity. Some knowledge of the history of architecture could help the understanding of some sections of the course, particularly those on the use of rocks in architecture.
Course programme
(1) Introduction to the course topics, didactical organization, and examination procedure.
(2) EARTH MATERIALS AND THEIR ARCHITECTURE USE.
(2a) Introduction to the crystallography, mineralogy and petrography basic concepts.
(2b) Rock classification:
Sedimentary rocks, terrigenous, carbonate, and evaporitic lithologies.
Magmatic, intrusive and effusive rocks.
Metamorphic, orto- and para-metamorphic rocks, metamorphic grade.
(2c) The use of rocks in architecture.
Examples from ancient buildings in Italy, Milan, Venice, Padua, Ferrara, Bologna, Florence. Rome, Naples.
(2d) Introduction to the artificial products, bricks, concrete, ecc., deriving from natural rocks.
(3) A DYNAMIC PLANET AND EARTHQUAKE
(3a) An always changing planet.
The main structures of the Earth, nucleus, mantle, crust, hydrosphere, atmosphere.
Introduction to the plate tectonics and to the main geochemical cycles.
(3b) Introduction to the geological chronology and to history of life.
(3c) Deformation of the Earth.
Brittle and ductile tectonics.
Faults and folds.
Distensive, strike slip, and compressive structures.
The genesis of earthquakes, seismic waves generation and propragation.
Local site effects, amplification and coseismic liquefaction.
Seismic activity and seismic danger.
.
(3d) Earthquake history and distribution in Italy.
Historical seismology
An introduction to the impact of the seismic accelerations on the building structures.
Examples of historic earthquakes recorded in Italy and their effects on buildings, from the ancient times to the present
(4) GEOMORPHOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS
River flooding, coastal erosion, landslide, accelerated erosion.
Case histories of natural hazard in Italy and beyond.
Influences of the natural framework and geological hazard on the development of urban centres.
For any further clarification on the course organization and topics, feel free to contact the teacher, Prof. Marco Stefani, by Email or at the Architecture Department.Didactic methods
- Oral lections with Power Point image projections. Since no adequate and comprehensive text books exist, neither in English nor in Italian, a continuous attendance to lessons is highly recommended.
Learning assessment procedures
- The examination procedure will start at the conclusion time of the lessons of the Geology and Petrography course, the participation to which will be documented by the compulsory collection of the student signatures. The examination procedure will consist of two steps.
(a) Firstly, an online test will take place, consisting of several short questions in Italian, such as multiple response testing, true or false questions, etc. The test will take place in an Architecture Department classroom, using the Wi-Fi network. A Ferrara University official address (n.n.student@unife.it) will be therefore needed. The exam grade will be privately communicated to students through email and will contribute for up to a half to the eventual vote formulation. The text will take place once per Academic Year.
(b) The students that will pass the test, will take the oral examination, consisting in a PowerPoint supported presentation of a personal research dealing on a specific topic, proposed by the candidate and approved by the teacher, before the examination date. Possible research topics are, for instance, the use of rocks in ancient building and the associated quarrying, the geological and geomorphological influence on a town development, the seismic damage affecting a specific region, the impact of flooding or land sliding on a human site, etc. A direct visit or research experience of the candidate on the presentation topic is desirable. The research subject can be selected from Italian or extra-Italian areas. The oral presentation will be about 15-20 minutes long and can be held in Italian, but also in English, French, or Spanish languages. Questions on the discussed topic will follow. The opportunity to try to improve the grade received from the first text through oral examination on various topics concerning the course will be provide on a voluntary basis. The eventual grade will be determined in n/30 and will be recorded on online.
If actual and documented problems will prevent the student form taking the multiple questions text, the candidate will have to orally answer to questions concerning the different course topics at the same date of the oral examination on the personal research.
For any further clarification and help, feel free to contact the teacher, Prof. Marco Stefani, by Email or at the Architecture Department. Reference texts
- No comprehensive text book exists at a level adequate to the course. Several books provide an elementary introduction to the Physical Geography and to basic concepts of the Earth Sciences. Because of this clear lack of adequate textbook, a constant attendance to the lections is strongly recommended.
