Ludo just got geotechnical! In UnSaLuDo, you move around the board while learning about unsaturated soils, such as surface tension, suction, and strength. It’s the perfect balance between fun and technical content!
Content covered: Mechanics of unsaturated soils, water retention curve, suction, pore pressure, hysteresis, loading paths, apparent strength, etc.
Target audience: undergraduate Civil Engineering students and graduate students in Geotechnics, especially those taking Unsaturated Soil Mechanics courses.
Number of players: 2 to 4 participants.
Average playtime: 40 to 60 minutes.
Game type: educational variation of the classic Ludo game, with question cards that affect player movement.
Objective: progress through the board by correctly answering technical questions about unsaturated soils and be the first to reach the finish line.
Format: printable physical game, with board, simple instructions, and cards available in colorful PDF files.
How to use it: This game can be used during theoretical classes, review sessions, group activities, or as a complementary learning tool. It is recommended that instructors first introduce the theoretical foundations of the topic—especially based on the article by Tarantino and Di Donna (2019), “Mechanics of unsaturated soils: simple approaches for routine engineering practice”. Reading and discussing this content beforehand enhances students’ understanding of the concepts explored in the game.
What do you need? Only the PDF files available on this page are needed. Simply print the cards on A4 sheets (double-sided) and cut them as indicated. All necessary content is included on the cards themselves — no glossary, answer key, or extra materials required. Students can use the game independently, with minimal supervision. We recommend printing the board in A3 size for better visibility. The rules fit on a single A4 sheet.
During the UnSaLuDostudents develop core cognitive skills related to understanding and applying concepts of unsaturated soils. According to the revised Bloom’s Taxonomy, the game fosters the following learning levels:
The game was supervised by Dr Bruna Lopes. All content and design were developed by Gustavo Augusto Froes Cardoso, based on the article by Tarantino and Di Donna (2019), “Mechanics of Unsaturated Soils: Simple Approaches for Routine Engineering Practice.” “Mechanics of unsaturated soils: simple approaches for routine engineering practice”.
Dr Mariana Chrusciak and Dr Manoel Cordão Neto contributed to the review of the article submitted to the International Conference on Unsaturated Soil Mechanics (2023), which describes the game’s creation and pedagogical foundations.
UnSaLuDo was tested in 2023 with postgraduate students at Newcastle University during the Foundation Design and Retaining Structures module, and it was improved based on the feedback received to ensure clarity, and teaching effectiveness.
Game: UnSaLuDo
Bio: Ludo has gone geotechnical! Move across the board while learning about unsaturated soils, surface tension, suction, and strength in a perfect blend of fun and technical content.
Last update: 01/07/25
