Robert Boes: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2024

Award: The Golden Owl
Name Prof. Dr. Robert Boes
FieldHydraulic Structures
Address
V. Wasserbau, Hydrologie u. Glaz.
ETH Zürich, HIA C 57
Hönggerbergring 26
8093 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 632 40 90
E-mailboes@vaw.baug.ethz.ch
DepartmentCivil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering
RelationshipFull Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
101-0247-01LHydraulic Engineering II
Information: Enrolment of Hydraulic Engineering II is not recommended without having attended Hydraulic Engineering (101-0206-00L) previously since Hydraulic Engineering II is strongly based on Hydraulic Engineering (101-0206-00L).
6 credits4GR. Boes
AbstractHydraulic structures and their functions within hydraulic systems are treated in this lecture. The basic concepts of their layout and design with regard to economy and safety are provided.
Learning objectiveKnowledge of hydraulic structures and their functions within hydraulic systems. Skills for the layout and design of hydraulic structures with regard to economy and safety.
ContentWeirs: Weir stability, gates, inflatable dams, appurtenant structures, fish up- and downstream passages.
Conduits: Design of headraces, pressure shafts, and penstocks, structural details and construction.
Hydropower plants: Powerhouse and turbine types, design, functionality, construction processes.
Dams: Types, appurtenant structures (river diversion, spillways, bottom and low-level outlets), dam type selection criteria, layout and design of gravity dams, buttress dams, arch dams, rockfill dams with central core or concrete face, reservoir sedimentation and sediment management, dam surveillance.
Artificial reservoirs: Purpose, layout, sealing, appurtenant structures, environmental aspects.
Economical aspects of hydraulic infrastructure
Lecture notesSingle manuscript chapters and further documentation
LiteratureIs specified in the lecture and in the manuscript chapters
Prerequisites / NoticeInformation: Because Hydraulic Engineering II is strongly based on Hydraulic Engineering (Wasserbau, 101-0206-00L) it is strongly recommended to have taken this course (101-0206-00L) or a similar one previously.
CompetenciesCompetencies
Subject-specific CompetenciesConcepts and Theoriesassessed
Techniques and Technologiesassessed
Method-specific CompetenciesAnalytical Competenciesassessed
Decision-makingassessed
Problem-solvingassessed
Personal CompetenciesAdaptability and Flexibilityfostered
Creative Thinkingfostered
Critical Thinkingfostered
Self-direction and Self-management fostered
101-0249-00LHydraulic Engineering III
Prerequisites: 101-0247-01L Hydraulic Engineering II or equivalent course.
3 credits2SR. Boes
AbstractThe lecture focuses on selected topics in hydraulic engineering, water management and aquatic ecology relating to hydropower and flood protection projects.
Learning objectiveThe overarching goal of the course is to broaden and enhance knowledge on special aspects in hydraulic engineering and its links to aquatic ecology and to understand the procedures and the planning sequence of large-scale projects.
ContentSelected topics in hydraulic engineering will be focused on, e.g. dam safety, materials in dam construction, possible problems at reservoirs like hazards from impulse waves and dam breaching, the hydraulics of spillways and intake structures at dams and weirs and the link between hydropower and ecology. Another focus will be put on typical approaches and procedures in the planning process of large-scale hydraulic engineering projects at the national and international level.
Lecture notesLecture handouts will be available online. Parts of the lectures will also be covered by a manuscript that will be available in electronic form.
Literaturewill be specified in the lecture and in a written manuscript
Prerequisites / NoticeExternal speakers will be involved to present current topics and projects in Switzerland and abroad.
CompetenciesCompetencies
Subject-specific CompetenciesConcepts and Theoriesassessed
Techniques and Technologiesassessed
Method-specific CompetenciesAnalytical Competenciesfostered
Decision-makingfostered
Problem-solvingfostered
Project Managementfostered
Social CompetenciesCommunicationassessed
Cooperation and Teamworkfostered
Personal CompetenciesAdaptability and Flexibilityfostered
Creative Thinkingfostered
Critical Thinkingassessed
Self-direction and Self-management fostered
102-0004-00LIntroduction into Environmental Engineering Restricted registration - show details 3 credits2GP. Molnar, R. Boes, I. Hajnsek, S. Hellweg, J. P. Leitão Correia , M. Maurer, S. Pfister, J. Slomka, J. Wang
AbstractIn this course students are introduced to how environmental problems in the areas of water quantity and quality, waste production and recycling, air pollution control, are formulated and solved with engineering methods. The course makes a connection between the theoretical Bachelor foundation classes and practical topics of environmental engineering in six main thematic areas.
Learning objectiveAfter completing this course, the student will be able to:
- formulate key global environmental problems
- develop a systems perspective and solutions to the problems (critical thinking)
- identify and solve simple numerical problems in the domain areas
- understand why/how we use data/models in environmental engineering
- develop own interest in the domain areas and see career opportunities
ContentTopics of study:
0. Introduction – description of the Earth System, main stressors, global warming, introduction into the methods and goals of environmental engineering.
1. Water Science & Engineering – definition of the global water cycle and hydrological regimes, surface/subsurface flow equations (advection, diffusion), water resources management, climate change.
2. Resource Management & Recovery – waste management, recycling, resource recovery, lifecycle assessment, water and carbon footprints.
3. Urban Water Technology – water quality parameters, municipal water and wastewater treatment processes and technologies, urban water systems (infrastructure).
4. River and Hydraulic Engineering – utility hydraulic engineering (hydropower production), protective hydraulic engineering (flood protection), waters protection (river restoration, ecological measures at hydropower plants).
5. Air Quality – air quality parameters, main air pollutants, air quality in cities/indoor, emission control, the plume dispersion model.
6. Earth Observation – satellite observation of the Earth System from space, methods, environmental applications (glaciers, forest, land surface change)
Lecture notesCourse will take place in English and German (bilingual). The English textbook by Masters and Ela (see below) will be complemented by instructors materials to the individual thematic topics. Lecture presentations will be the main study material. There is no formal Script.
Literature- Masters, G.M., & Ela, W.P. (2014). Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science, Third Edition, Prentice Hall, 692 pp, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ethz/reader.action?docID=5831826
- lecture presentations and selected papers
CompetenciesCompetencies
Subject-specific CompetenciesConcepts and Theoriesassessed
Techniques and Technologiesassessed
Method-specific CompetenciesAnalytical Competenciesassessed
Decision-makingassessed
Media and Digital Technologiesfostered
Problem-solvingfostered
Project Managementfostered
Social CompetenciesCommunicationfostered
Cooperation and Teamworkfostered
Customer Orientationfostered
Leadership and Responsibilityfostered
Self-presentation and Social Influence fostered
Sensitivity to Diversityfostered
Personal CompetenciesCreative Thinkingfostered
Critical Thinkingfostered
Self-awareness and Self-reflection assessed