course-details-portlet

TBA5150

Geohazards and Risk

Credits 7.5
Level Second degree level
Course start Autumn 2025
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Aggregate score

About

About the course

Course content

The course will include:

  1. terminology used in risk assessment
  2. a brief insight into various geohazards landslide types, debris flow, rock fall
  3. a brief introduction of soil mechanics and slope stability analysis
  4. identification of sources and types of uncertainties in problems related to geohazards
  5. discussion of the potential benefits of a probabilistic compared to a deterministic approach
  6. review relevant statistical and probabilistic theories needed to develop the methodologies and to interpret the results of the probabilistic analyses
  7. application of probabilistic analysis as applied to geotechnical analysis, such as First Order Second Moment (FOSM) method and the First Order Reliability Method (FORM), event tree and logic tree construction, reliability of "systems"
  8. methods for prevention and mitigation of geohazards
  9. discussion on risk reduction strategies e.g., F-N diagram
  10. spatial variability and its impact
  11. basic knowledge of consultation

Learning outcome

Knowledge

This course is about dealing with uncertainties in geotechnics and geohazards: Its better to be probably right than exactly wrong! The candidate should have knowledge of:

  • Slope stability analysis in geotechnical context
  • How to characterize and model uncertainties in geotechnical parameters (soils and rocks), quantify variability in soil profiles, loading and resistance factors as well as the calculation methods
  • Describing and formulating a geotechnical problem using a reliability approach
  • Incorporating uncertainties in conventional geotechnical analyses
  • Performing hazards related to slope or foundation failures, avalanches and earthquakes
  • Considering risk acceptance/tolerance criteria
  • Considering risk management and reduction measures (reliability based decision-making and mitigation).

Skills

The candidate can:

  • Identify sources of uncertainties in a given geotechnical problem, define relevant and critical failure modes or unwanted events
  • Assess probability of occurrence
  • Plan and perform reliability/risk analyses
  • Calculate/predict consequences
  • Make optimized decisions based on reliability analyses
  • Recommend actions for risk reduction and/or risk mitigation and contribute to sustainable solutions.

General competence

The candidate can:

  • Make sound engineering judgments with a special focus on numerical simulations in geomechanics
  • Develop sustainable solutions for our built environment
  • Compose clear presentation
  • Coding
  • Work in teams.

Learning methods and activities

Lecture, tutorials, term project, assignments.

Compulsory assignments

  • Assignments

Further on evaluation

The exam is divided in two parts which together add up to the final grade: Written school exam (65 %) and group assignment (35%).

Obligatory assignments: The candidate should submit three mandatory assignments before they are allowed to take the final exam.

If there is a re-sit examination, the examination form may be changed from written to oral. For a re-take of an examination, all assessments during the course must be re-taken. The parts of the assessment is given a letter grade. A failing grade on a part of the assessment can be included in the final grade.

Course materials

Lecture notes presented by the geotechnical division.

Subject areas

  • Marine Civil Engineering
  • Hydraulic Engineering
  • Structural Engineering
  • Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - Refrigeration Plants and Heat Pumps
  • Railway Engineering
  • Highway Engineering
  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Geology
  • Technological subjects

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Aggregate score
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

School exam
Weighting 65/100 Examination aids Code C Date 2025-12-09 Time 09:00 Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment
Place and room for school exam

The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.

Sluppenvegen 14
Room SL310 turkis sone
9 candidates
Room SL415
13 candidates
Room SL310 blå sone
16 candidates
Assignment
Weighting 35/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment

Re-sit examination - Summer 2026

School exam
Weighting 65/100 Examination aids Code C Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment Place and room Not specified yet.