Engineering geology Lab.
Check the analysis pricelist (N – Geologia Applicata, in Italian).
Building U4, 2° floor, room 2017, telephone +39 02 6448 2758
Responsible: Giovanni Battista Crosta
Contact: Elena Valbuzzi
Equipment: stereoscope Falcon Z 2 with double oculars and focal optical system at continuous variability (zoom) and magnification from 1.8 to 18.0x, stereoscope at mirrors Falcon Z 2 with double oculars with a zoom up to 4x, workstation connected to the Ateneo network and internet with the possibility of analysis trough digital photogrammetry, collection of aereophotographic material concerning different Italian areas and foreign countries (in some multitemporal and multiscale area)
Staff: Elena Valbuzzi, Andrea Valagussa, Paolo Frattini, Federico Agliardi
Description:
This laboratory runs photo-interpretative analysis with the support of stereoscopes that allows a three-dimensional view of the study areas. The purpose is to reconstruct the geological, geomorphological and structural settings with emphasis on the identification and localization of the instability phenomena.
The analytic and systematic investigation of photographic documents give different advantages:
- Global view of the territory
- Dynamic study of different areas
- Description of inaccessible phenomena
- Highlight of particular phenomena
- Cost reductions
The classic photointerpretation is developed through the identification and classification of a specific object. This information is managed with the Geographic Information System (GIS). With the implementation of the techniques the recognition and the mapping of some objects are carried out directly in video through the use of digital ortophotos, the DTM (digital terrain model) and appropriate instruments/codes for digital photogrammetry.
The laboratory also carries out the function of support for different bachelor and master thesis, and different university research projects.
Building U4, floor 2, room 2021
Person in charge: Dott. Nicoletta Fusi
Computerized X rays micro-tomography allows non destructive analysis of rocks, soils, geological materials s.l. and artificial materials; the system has a resolution of 7 micron and can scan regular or irregular shape samples (diameter up to 130 mm and height up to 150 mm); it is also possible to perform 2D and 3D reconstruction of the internal structure of the sample (ImageJ and Avizo FEI).
Projects: Prothego, University of Tabriz (Iran), University of Alicante (Spain), Regione Valle d’Aosta, Università di Milano, Agusta Westland, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
Publications
Pla, C., Cuezva, S., Martinez-Martinez, J., Fernandez-Cortes, A., Garcia-Anton, E., Fusi, N., Crosta, G.B., Cuevas-Gonzalez, J., Cañaveras, J.C., Sanchez-Moral, S., Benavente, D. (2016). Role of soil pore structure in water infiltration and CO2 exchange between the atmosphere and underground air in the vadose zone: A combined laboratory and field approach. Catena, 149, 402-416.
Martínez-Martínez, J, Fusi, N., Galiana-Merino, J.J., Benavente, D., Crosta, G.B. (2016). Ultrasonic and X-ray computed tomography characterization of progressive fracture damage in low-porous carbonate rocks. Engineering Geology 200, 47–57
Pola, A., Crosta, G.B., Fusi, N., Castellanza, R. (2014). General characterization of the mechanical behaviour of different volcanic rocks with respect to alteration. Engineering Geology, 169, 1-13.
Fusi, N., Martinez-Martinez, J. (2013). Mercury porosimetry as a tool for improving quality of micro-CT images in low porosity carbonate rocks. Engineering Geology, 166, 272–282
Pola, A., Crosta, G.B., Fusi, N., Barberini, V., Norini. G. (2012). Influence of alteration on physical properties of volcanic rocks. Tectonophysics, 566–567, 67–86.
Crosta, G., Agliardi, F., Fusi, N.C., Zanchetta, S., Barberini, V., Laini, M., et al. (2010). Rock fabric controls on the failure mode of strongly deformed gneisses. In J. Zhao, V. Labiouse, J. Dudt, & J. Mathier (a cura di), Rock Mechanics in Civil and Environmental Engineering (pp. 107-110). Leiden: Taylor & Francis.
Castellanza R., Geroulymatou E., Nova R., Fusi N., Barberini V. & Crosta, G. (2009) - Experimental observation of the formation and the evolution of compaction bands in high porosity soft rocks during oedometric loading - ISRM Regional Symposium EUROCK 2009.
Castellanza R., Crosta G., Fusi N., Grizzetti R. (2009) – Dissolution of evaporitic rocks: implications of geomechanical behaviour - ISRM Regional Symposium EUROCK 2009.
Rocklab #1 - rock characterization
Building U4, floor 2, room 2021
People in charge: Prof. Riccardo Castellanza, Prof. Giovanni Crosta, Dott. Nicoletta Fusi
Equipments: uniaxial and triaxial loading device (3000 kN) with loading and displacement control system, triaxial cells (up to 32 MPa) for samples with diameter from 20 to 100 mm, shear box for rock joints, point load test.
Sonic velocity equipment (V-meter and E-meter)
Staff: Prof. Riccardo Castellanza, Prof. Giovanni Crosta, Prof. Federico Agliardi, Dott. Nicoletta Fusi, Dott. Alberto Villa, Dott. Stefano Basiricò
Rock characterization and determination of their physical and mechanical properties can be done through the following tests: uniaxial and triaxial compression test, flexural test, splitting tensile strength (brasilian test), high pressure consolidation test, including also P wave velocities measurement.
In this laboratory it is also available equipment for non destrucitve tests on rocks and soils, such as sonic velocity equipment to measure dynamic elastic constants and resonant frequency.
Projects: Edison SpA, Università di Torino
Publications
Agliardi F., Dobbs M.R., Zanchetta S., Vinciguerra S., Folded fabric tunes rock deformation and failure
mode in the upper crust, 2017, Scientific Reports, 7, 1, 15290
Pola, A., Crosta, G.B., Fusi, N., Castellanza, R. (2014). General characterization of the mechanical behaviour of different volcanic rocks with respect to alteration. Engineering Geology, 169, 1-13.
Agliardi F., Zanchetta S., Crosta G.B., Fabric controls on the brittle failure of folded gneiss and schist, 2014,Tectonophysics, 637, 150, 162
Crosta, G., Agliardi, F., Fusi, N.C., Zanchetta, S., Barberini, V., Laini, M., et al. (2010). Rock fabric controls on the failure mode of strongly deformed gneisses. In J. Zhao, V. Labiouse, J. Dudt, & J. Mathier (a cura di), Rock Mechanics in Civil and Environmental Engineering (pp. 107-110). Leiden: Taylor & Francis.
Rocklab #2 - mechanical testing
Building U4, floor 2, room 2023
People in charge: Prof. Riccardo Castellanza, Prof. Giovanni Crosta, Dott. Nicoletta Fusi
Equipments: uniaxial and triaxial loading device (3000 kN) with loading and displacement control system, triaxial cells (up to 32 MPa) for samples with diameter from 20 to 100 mm, shear box for rock joints, point load test.
Sonic velocity equipment (V-meter and E-meter)
Staff: Prof. Riccardo Castellanza, Prof. Giovanni Crosta, Prof. Federico Agliardi, Dott. Nicoletta Fusi
The GDS-Vis loading device (250 kN) can operate in load or axial displacement control. An internal system allows to measure the vertical displacement of the sample.
The following components integrate the system:
- loading cell in rigid steel for samples of 50, 70 and 100 mm;
- hydraulic attuators to apply cell pressure (maximum 64 MPa) and back pressure (maximum 32 MPa), with an internal system to measure pressures and volume changes of oil in the cell and of pore water in the sample
- external measurement system made of a vertical loading cell, three digital estensimeters for local deformations and a pressure transducer to measure pore pressure at the sample top
- data acquisition and control system, made of a digital acquisition box and a pc with GDS lab software for control and acquisition.
During time this equipment has been improved with new pieces, specifically designed, for uniaxial compression tests on small samples, borehole and creep tests.
Projects: Prothego, University of Tabriz (Iran), University of Alicante (Spain), Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
Publications
Martínez-Martínez, J, Fusi, N., Galiana-Merino, J.J., Benavente, D., Crosta, G.B. (2016). Ultrasonic and X-ray computed tomography characterization of progressive fracture damage in low-porous carbonate rocks. Engineering Geology 200, 47–57
Ciantia M.O., Castellanza R., Crosta G.B., Hueckel T. (2014). Effects of mineral suspension and dissolution on strength and compressibility of soft carbonate rocks, 2015, Engineering Geology, 184, 1, 18
Pola, A., Crosta, G.B., Fusi, N., Castellanza, R.. (2014). General characterization of the mechanical behaviour of different volcanic rocks with respect to alteration. Engineering Geology, 169, 1-13.
Pola, A., Crosta, G.B., Fusi, N., Barberini, V., Norini. G. (2012). Influence of alteration on physical properties of volcanic rocks. Tectonophysics, 566–567, 67–86.
