This field course focuses on characterizing and classifying rocks and rock masses in the field as done in preliminary and advanced stages of engineering geological site assessments.

This introductory course starts from a descriptions of the behavior and phenomena of soils and rocks under near surface loading conditions and their key geotechnical properties. Lab and field methods for the characterization of soils, rocks and rock masses are introduced. Finally practical aspects of ground engineering, including tunneling and landslide hazards are presented.

This course introduces students to geotechnical, geophysical, surveying and (remote) sensing methods used in characterizing, developing and monitoring engineering project sites. Strategies, measurements, tools and analyses are described that are relevant to determining the geologic conditions at a site as well as deformations that occur under natural or construction conditions.