The laboratory's activities are primarily oriented towards the study, prediction, prevention, and management of risks related to hydrogeological instability and the presence of underground cavities. By integrating geological and geophysical techniques, the laboratory also addresses a wide range of issues related to civil and environmental engineering, as well as civil protection.
Regarding hydrogeological instability:
- Analysis and integrated monitoring of unstable slopes using geological, seismic, microseismic, electromagnetic, and electrical techniques
- Decision Support System tools to assess the probability of landslides and their degree of danger
- Residual risk during emergency phases
- Prediction, prevention programs, and emergency plans
- Numerical simulations for slope stability and solid transport
- Calibration of instrumentation and innovative technologies under controlled conditions
- Definition of triggering rainfall thresholds through small-scale simulations
- Analysis of snowpack melting processes
- Analysis of slopes with post-fire conditions using small-scale simulations
- Integrated monitoring of riverbanks with optical fibers on a small scale
Concerning underground cavities:
- Analysis and monitoring of underground cavities using seismic and electromagnetic techniques
- Evaluation of geological and hydrogeological risks with the definition of emergency plans
Regarding the main activities in the geophysical field:
- Development of innovative equipment and localization algorithms for survivor search using microseismic techniques
- Non-destructive analysis of civil engineering structures and infrastructures using ultrasonic and Ground Penetrating Radar techniques
- Mapping of subsurface utilities and leak detection in water networks
- Seismic microzonation with MASW and HVSR techniques
- Electromagnetic investigations of the snowpack
- Prediction and prevention programs and Emergency Plans at municipal and provincial levels
- Integrated monitoring of unstable slopes with the definition of alert thresholds
- Long-term monitoring of embankments and earth dams
- Hazard and risk maps related to hydrogeological instability
- Numerical analysis for assessing the stress-strain state of unstable slopes
- Geological risk assessment in underground cavities and abandoned mining areas
- Mapping of subsurface utilities and leak detection in water networks
- Calibration of hydrological and hydrogeological monitoring instrumentation under controlled conditions