2020-2021 / ENVT3038-1

Management of hydrographic and hydraulic networks

Duration

30h Th, 24h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in environmental science and management (120 ECTS)5 crédits  
 Master in environmental science and management (60 ECTS)5 crédits  

Lecturer

Pierre Archambeau, Benjamin Dewals, Sébastien Erpicum, Michel Pirotton

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

First, the course covers the following theoretical topics:

  • water uses and ressources in surface water
  • introduction to process-oriented hydrology and flood frequency analysis
  • fundamentals in hydrostatics and hydrodynamics (Benrouilli, uniform flow ...)
Next, these fundamental concepts are applied to the analysis of simple real-world applications, such as:
  • water storage (reservoirs, water towers ...)
  • water supply networks and sewage networks
  • hydropower schemes
  • flood risk analysis
  • hydromorphological restoration of rivers

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

After this course, the student will be able to:

  • understand the role of hydraulic structures in the integrated management of water ressources
  • understand in-depth the main fundamental concepts in hydrology and open channel hydraulics, such as to be able to use them accurately in a technical reasoning
  • understand the practical relevance of the concept of uniform flow, to apply it, and to be aware of its limitations as well as of its relative strengths and weaknesses compared to more advanced flow models (backwater curves, unsteady flow ...)
  • understand and apply, in simple configurations, the main design options and sizing principles of common hydraulic systems, including: water towers, water supply networks, storm tanks, as well as combined or separated sewage networks
  • perform simple flood risk analysis
  • perform a first simple design of a hydropower scheme
  • analyse simple sediment transport issues in rivers

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

The course relies on fundamentals in physics (mechanics) and mathematics as taught in the curriculum of university bachelors.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course is based on theoretical lectures and on practical exercises consisting in the design of real-life hydraulic networks and structures.
Since the course focuses more on a deep understanding of the concepts, the student is requested to take an active part in the lessons, during which the teacher fosters direct interactions with the audience.
Exercise sessions and practical assignments constitute a key part of the course and are compulsory. Students who do not attend these activities and/or who fail to submit in due time the expected reports will not be allowed to take the exam.
A discussion forum is available on Moodle, enabling the student to ask questions related to the course.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face lectures.

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

The course and the practical sessions are organized face-to-face in room of suitable dimensions to respect distanciation. If a student cannot attend for reasons related to covid, access to the recordings is specifically given.
If the evolution of the color code no longer makes it possible to accommodate all students every week, the organization will evolve towards complete online learning with access to podcasts for the rest of the theoretical course and the virtual meetings for practical sessions.
If the sanitary context does not allow to have a face-to-face examination, then it will be organised on line, according to the rules depicted in the relative item.

Recommended or required readings

Slides used during the lectures may be downloaded on Moodle platform.
The teacher recommends the reading of complementary material. All documents are made available on Moodle platform.

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Any session :

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )

- Remote

written exam ( open-ended questions )

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred in-person


Additional information:

It is compulsory for the the student to submit an individual report after each practical exercise. These reports are noted.
A written exam takes place in January and September. It includes a theoretical and a practical part. For the later, the student may use reference documents.
No partial exemption is granted.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Lectures take place during the first semester.
If needed and depending on the evolution of the sanitary constraints related to Covid, lectures will be given online through https://moodle.hece.uliege.be platform. 

Contacts