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Short Courses

Short Course 1: Multiphysical Analysis and Modeling of Energy Geostructures 

Instructor:  Alessandro F. Rotta Loria, Northwestern University

Description:

Energy geostructures, such as energy piles, walls, slabs and tunnels, are an innovative technology that can be used for the energy supply and structural support of any built environment by coupling the role of the geostructure with that of the geothermal heat exchanger. The energy, geotechnical and structural operation of energy geostructures involves profoundly multiphysical phenomena within and around such structures. These phenomena include, without being limited to, temperature variations, mechanically and thermally induced stress and strain variations, as well as pore water pressure variations. All of these phenomena require the integrated knowledge and the employment of adequate multiphysical mathematical formulations (e.g., analytical and numerical) and modelling tools for a successful analysis, design and application of such technology. This course addresses, without being limited to, the aforementioned knowledge and challenges, with a focus on the following aspects: How can energy geostructures be analyzed and designed from an energy, geotechnical and structural point of view? What is the thermo-hydro-mechanical behavior of energy geostructures? What is the coupled action of thermal and mechanical loads on the energy, geotechnical and structural performance of energy geostructures?

Scheduled to take place: Tuesday, June 18


Short Course 2: Computational Modeling in Geotechnical Engineering 

Instructors:       

Ronaldo Luna, Ph.D., P.E., D.GE, F.ASCESaint Louis University

Siavash Zamiran, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE, Marino Engineering Associates, Inc.

Description: 

This course will present the principles of numerical modeling in geotechnical engineering practice. The main focus will be on the numerical modeling approaches based on finite element and finite difference methods using different geo-mechanical commercial programs.  We consider the geotechnical modeling aspects to span from the results of site characterization and laboratory, soil/rock properties, constitutive relations, boundary conditions, computational domain, loading; to validation and verification of results.  The modeling procedure of a retaining wall system or a small earth dam will be demonstratedas a practical example. Advanced aspects of numerical modeling including soil-structure interaction, fluid-mechanical interaction, and dynamic analysis will be discussed.  The course materials are useful for students and professionals in different engineering fields including civil, geotechnical, mining, petroleum, and geological engineering.  (note: participants are required to bring their personal computer laptop)

 Scheduled to take place: Tuesday, June 18