SLM-20306 Land and Water Engineering

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

SLM-10806 Design in Land and Water Management 1; SLM-10306 Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation; WRM-10306 Irrigation and Water Management; HWM-21806 Hydraulics and Hydrometry.

Continuation courses:

WRM-21312 Design in Land and Water Management 2.

Contents:

This course consists of an Land Management (SLM) part and a Water Management (WRM) part.
In the SLM part the students will learn - the theoretical background on soil characteristics, soil mechanics and rainfall infiltration relations - needed to make proper designs of mechanical soil conservation measures. This theoretical part is supported by a practical consisting of various soil analysis and experiments. The students will present the results in a report. Beside lectures students will get tutorials in which they apply the gained knowledge in technical design of mechanical soil and water conservation structures.
The Water Management part (WRM) focuses on hydraulic principles for designing canals and structures. The WRM part of the course includes a series of lectures, self-study assignments and two practical assignments. For the first practical assignment, students explore the existing water management infrastructure (canals & structures) in the local 'Binnenveld' area. For the second practical assignment students use the facilities of the hydraulic laboratory at the Wageningen campus. During the course students are challenged to link their practical experience to relevant theories and methods and apply the newly acquired knowledge in assignments on designing irrigation infrastructure.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able, for:
a) stationary flow structure design to:
- explain the difference in flow regimes in natural streams, irrigation and drainage systems;
- calculate the most economic cross-sections and practical bed/depth ratios for irrigation and drainage canals;
- calculate water levels under uniform and gradually varied flow conditions (back water and draw down curve);
- classify the different types of canal structures;
- explain the hydraulic behaviour of specific canal structures (sensitivity / flexibility);
- select canal structures in specific circumstances, in particular socio-technical aspects;
- interpret sub / super / critical flow and hydraulic jump conditions;
- explain the sediment (bed and suspended) transport criterion;
- apply theoretical knowledge and ability to design intake, regulation and outlet structures.
b) soil mechanics to:
- describe and interpret the physical soil characteristics and shortcomings in relation to land use purpose;
- to estimate stresses in a soil mass;
- understand the nature of shear resistance of a soil;
- to design a gravity retaining wall;
- to evaluate the stability of a slope.
c) non-stationary flow structure design to:
- determine the infiltration rate of different soil types;
- determine the soil roughness (surface storage);
- determine the soil cover percentage.
d) mechanical erosion control measures to:
- describe and explain the principles of the main mechanical methods of erosion control;
- select and apply the most appropriate mechanical method in a conservation plan.

Activities:

- lectures, and tutorials;
- conduct and report field and lab work;
- reporting exercises and assignments.

Examination:

Individual written exam (70%): exam consists of a land engineering and water engineering part and marks for both parts need to be > 5.5.
Quality of individual assignments and group products (30%).

Literature:

Literature and lecture notes will be made available through blackboard.