Simon Löw: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2021

Name	Prof. em. Dr. Simon Löw
Name variants	Simon Loew
Field	Ingenieurgeologie
Address	Geologisches Institut ETH Zürich, NO G 69.2 Sonneggstrasse 5 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND
Telephone	+41 44 633 32 31
E-mail	simon.loew@erdw.ethz.ch
URL	http://www.engineeringgeology.ethz.ch/
Department	Earth Sciences
Relationship	Professor emeritus

Number	Title	ECTS	Hours	Lecturers
651-3525-AAL	Introduction to Engineering Geology Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement. Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit.	3 credits	6R	S. Löw
Abstract	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.
Objective	Understanding the basic geotechnical and geomechanical properties and processes of rocks and soils. Understanding the interaction of rock and soil masses with technical systems. Understanding the fundamentals of geological hazards.
Content	Rock, soil and rock mass: scale effects and fundamental geotechnical properties. Soil mechanical properties and their determination. Rock mechanical properties and their determination. Fractures: geotechnical properties and their determination. Geotechnical classification of intact rock, soils and rock masses. Natural and induced stresses in rock and soil. Interaction of soil masses with surface loads, water and excavations. Slope instability mechanisms and stability analyses. Underground excavation instability mechanisms and rock deformation. Geological mass wasting processes.
Lecture notes	Lecture Material as defined in German PPT Slides of the German Course “651-3525-00L Ingenieurgeologie”.
Literature	For English speakers study chapters 1-3 of Part I of the book “Geological Engineering” (Gonzalez de Vallejo & Ferrer 2011, CRC Press), without groundwater flow, consolidation time, geophysical methods, details of triaxial tests in soils and rocks, details of clay mineralogy.
Prerequisites / Notice	Participate on all exercises of “651-3525-00L Ingenieurgeologie”, Thursday 13-14 pm. Participate in Written Exam together with students of the German Course
651-4068-00L	Engineering Geology Seminar	2 credits	2S	S. Löw, Q. Lei
Abstract	The seminar includes external and internal lectures on ongoing research topics and the presentation and defence of own MSc thesis research results. In addition students have the opportunity to make new contacts with researchers and practitioners, and get an understanding of the international engineering geology community.
Objective	The students get an insight into selected research & development topics in engineering geology, hydrogeology and geothermics. The students present and discuss their MSc thesis research results topic with a larger scientific audience.
Content	This seminar includes internal and guest lectures related to engineering geology and hydrogeology research topics and presentations of the MSc thesis project results. Students have to attend 8 guest lectures in total during semester 2 and/or 4 and present and defend their own research results in semester 4. They keep a record of the attended guest lectures (using a prepared confirmation sheet).
Lecture notes	The course offers guidelines how to orally present scientific results.
Prerequisites / Notice	Completed and accepted research plan. Significant results of own MSc thesis work.
651-4070-00L	Landslide Analysis Number of participants limited to 18.	5 credits	3G	S. Löw, J. Aaron
Abstract	This course is about the analysis of landslide phenomena, mechanisms, stability and hazard mitigation. The course is focussed on case studies covering major landslide types in the Alps (rock fall, shallow soil slides, rock slides and topples, and deep seated landslides). The course makes use of a new blended e-learning environment and includes compulsory field trips to the study sites.
Objective	The overall aim of the course is to prepare students for dealing with real-world landslide and slope stability problems. Students will gain knowledge and application experience in the field recognition, mapping and monitoring of landslides, the appropriate use of slope stability analysis methods, and the writing of landslide investigation reports. With this experience students may enter the professional workplace or research environment with modern skills and the confidence to tackle similar problems alone.
Content	The major types of landslides are introduced in face-to-face lectures. For every landslide type a case study is introduced which illustrates typical tasks and approaches of professionals working in the field of landslide hazard analysis and mitigation. All case studies include field visits focussing on geological conditions, morphological features, geotechnical properties and field measurements. In the lab we discuss appropriate geological and kinematic models, triggers, stability, failure processes and mitigation mechanisms. The results of the case studies are documented in reports which are the basis for the course evaluation.
Lecture notes	The course includes self study of landslide fundamentals supported by web-based e-learning materials, and audio-supported power-point-lectures. The case study analyses are supported by field handbooks, field data and analysis programs.
Literature	Sidle, R.C. & Ochiai H. 2006: Landslides, Processes, Prediction and Land use. AGU Books, Water Resources Monograph 18 Transportation Research Board 1996: Landslides, Investigation and Mitigation. Special Report 247. Turner A.K. & Schuster R.L. eds. National Academic Press Washington D.C.
Prerequisites / Notice	Excursions are an integral part of this course. The dates of the excursions are published on https://www.erdw.ethz.ch/studium/exkursionen-feldkurse.html
651-4072-00L	Engineering Geology of Underground Excavations Number of participants limited to 18.	5 credits	3G	S. Löw, O. Moradian
Abstract	This course deals with the geological activities related to underground excavations (field investigations, route selection, geological models and hazards, geotechnical properties, rock mass behavior, groundwater & environmental impacts). The course focuses on problem solving skills (trained in a Lötschberg Base Tunnel case study, including report writing).
Objective	In this course the student shall become familiar with the most important tasks an engineering geologist has to carry out in the context of planning and building an underground excavation or tunnel. The student will learn how to integrate the knowledge gained during the fundamental and methods courses for the design of underground constructions in various project phases (including report writing).
Content	Major Tasks of Engineering Geologist in Underground Constructions, Project Phases and Logistic Constraints of Various Types Underground Constructions, Ground Behaviour in Underground Constructions (Rock and Soil), Groundwater and Environmental Impacts of Underground Constructions; Exploration Methods. Case Study Lötschberg Base Tunnel.
Lecture notes	A script is available in the form of a few review publications.
Literature	Richard Goodman 1993: Engineering Geology, Rock in Engineering Construction, John Whiley and Sons. Evert Hoek 2007: Practical Rock Engineering, Course Notes, wwwhttp://www.rocscience.com/hoek/PracticalRockEngineering.asp
Prerequisites / Notice	The Lötschberg Case Study forms a key component of this integration course. Students will learn (1) how to carry out preliminary investigations related to tunnel design, (2) how to select the tunnel route, (3) how the describe the geotechnical and hydrogeological conditions, (4) how to qualitatively and quantitatively assess geological hazards, rock mass behavior and environmental impacts, and (5) how write geological, geotechnical and hydrogeological reports. A day field trip to the study area (March 15) and a tunneling site (May 19) is included in the course.
651-4276-00L	Alpine Engineering Geological Excursions Priority is given to D-ERDW students (Major in Engineering Geology). If space is available UZH Geography and Earth System Sciences students may attend this field course at full cost. No registration through myStudies. The registration for excursions and field courses goes through http://exkursionen.erdw.ethz.ch only.	1 credit	2P	S. Löw, J. Aaron
Abstract	This course includes 4 days of specialized engineering geologic excursions that are offered by the chair of engineering geology. Topics include visits to landslides and to ongoing construction and research sites (landslides, tunnels, hydropower systems, foundations, roads, waste disposal sites) in the Swiss and Italian Alps.
Objective	Increase the amount of field exposure and field experience in alpine engineering geology.
Prerequisites / Notice	Only new excursions can be selected, that have not been taken in previous study years, or that are not included as compulsory excursions in other selected courses. Students registering for the course confirm having read and accepted the terms and conditions for excursions and field courses of D-ERDW https://www.ethz.ch/content/dam/ethz/special-interest/erdw/department/dokumente/studium/exkursionen/AGB_ERDW_Exkursionen_en.pdf
669-0200-00L	Spring Course: Characterisation and Behaviour of Rock and Soil Does not take place this semester. Only for CAS in Angewandten Erdwissenschaften.	2 credits	2G	S. Löw, I. Anastasopoulos
Abstract
Objective
669-0201-00L	Project Module: Geo-Constructions Does not take place this semester. Only for CAS in Angewandten Erdwissenschaften.	2 credits	1S	S. Löw
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669-0301-00L	Project Module: Geo-Risks Only for CAS in Angewandten Erdwissenschaften.	2 credits	1S	S. Wiemer, S. Löw, H. Willenberg
Abstract	In the project module of the module group Geo-Risks the participants create a common course script for the spring and autumn course in online cooperation.
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