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101-0302-00L 3 Credits BSC , MSC D-ERDW , D-BAUG

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Clays in Geotechnics: Problems and Applications

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Michael Plötze

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:32:59

Abstract

Clays and clay minerals play a vital role in geotechnical engineering, offering both benefits and challenges in various applications. Their variability, affected by pore water chemistry and soil fabric, complicates use but enables targeted modifications. This course offers an introduction to clay mineralogy, properties, testing methods, and the associated challenges in environmental geotechnics.

Objective

Upon successful completion of this course the student is able to: - Describe clay minerals and their fundamental properties - Describe/propose methods for characterisation of clays and clay minerals - Draw conclusion about specific properties of clays with a focus to their potential use, problematics and things to consider in geotechnics and engineering geology.

Content

- Introduction to clays and clay minerals (importance and application in geosciences, industry and everyday life) - Origin of clays (formation of clays and clay minerals, geological origin) - Clay mineral structure, classification and identification incl. methods for investigation (e.g., XRD) - Properties of clay materials, characterisation and quantification incl. methods for investigation (e.g., cation exchange, rheology, plasticity, shearing, swelling, permeability, retardation and diffusion) - Clay Minerals in geotechnics: Problems and applications in soil mechanics, barriers, slurry walls, tunnelling.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture slides and further documents will be provided.

General Information

Language: English
Levels: BSC , MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: session examination
Mode: oral 30 minutes

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture with exercise	Clays in Geotechnics: Problems and Applications Remark: No course on 10.03.2025.	Mon 09:45-11:30 (HIL E 9)	2 h weekly

Offered In

Erd- und Klimawissenschaften Bachelor
- Vertiefungen
  - Vertiefung Geologie und Geophysik (Für Beratungen in der Vertiefung Geologie und Geophysik stehen Dr. Vincenzo Picotti (Geologie) und Dr. Andrea Zunino (Geophysik) zur Verfügung.)
    - Wahlfächer (Den Studierenden steht zusätzlich das gesamte Lehrangebot der ETH Zürich und der Universität Zürich zur Auswahl offen. Für Studierende, die sich für den Fokus "Space Systems" interessieren, werden folgende Wahlfächer dringend empfohlen: - 701-0106-00L Mathematik V: Angewandte Vertiefung von Mathematik I - III)
Bauingenieurwissenschaften Master
- 2. Semester
  - Vertiefungsfächer
    - Vertiefung in Geotechnik
Erdwissenschaften Master
- Vertiefung in Geology
  - Wahlpflichtmodule Geology (Innerhalb der Majors Geology sind mindestens zwei Wahlpflichtmodule zu absolvieren.)
    - Sedimentology
      - Sedimentology: Wahlpflichtfächer
- Vertiefung in Mineralogy and Geochemistry
  - Wahlpflichtmodule Mineralogy und Geochemistry (Innerhalb der Majors Mineralogy and Geochemistry sind mindestens zwei Wahlpflichtmodule zu absolvieren.)
    - Mineralogy and Petrology
      - Mineralogy and Petrology: Wahlpflichtfächer
- Wahlfächer (Den Studierenden steht - in Absprache mit den zuständigen MSc-Kommission - das gesamte Lehrangebot der ETH Zürich und der Universität Zürich zur Auswahl offen.)