School of Engineering and Technology, (SET)
 
CE71.12 : Rock Mechanics  3(2-3)
 
Course objectives:

Rock mechanics is a principal subject in geological and geotechnical engineering. It plays a vital role in the exploration and production of oil and other natural resources; mining, construction of civil infrastructures, transportation routes, and water resource facilities, hydropower projects; and in the prevention and mitigation of natural hazards particularly landslides. Knowledge on rock mechanics is essential for infrastructure development projects of all countries where there are existence of mountainous terrains.
 
Learning Outcomes:

Properties of intact rock, rock mass and discontinuities; index properties and classifications; strength and deformability properties, moisture-sensitive and time-dependent properties of weak rocks and related problems; deformability of rock mass and related problems; groundwater in rock mass, foundations on rocks; shear strength along discontinuities, rock slope engineering, permeability and rock mechanics for petroleum engineering application.
 
Pre-requisite(s):

None
 
Course Outline:
I.        Overview of rock mechanics in geological and geotechnical practice:  
           
II.       Properties of Intact Rock, Geologic Discontinuities, and rock mass
1.   Index properties and classifications for rocks
2.   Geologic discontinuities and description
3.   Rock mass classifications (RMR, Q-system, and GSI, etc.)
 
III.      Basic Mechanics: Stress-strain and strength
1.   Stress-strain relationship
2.   Brittle and ductile behavior
3.   Brittle fracturing of rocks and failure mechanics
4.   Strength criteria of rock and rock mass
 
IV.      In situ stresses in earth crust
1.   Characteristics and influencing factors
2.   Effects on rock engineering works
3.   Measurement methods
 
V.       Deformability of rock mass
1.   Types of problems - buildings, dams, pressure tunnels
2.   Influencing factors and theoretical assessment
3.   Determination of modulus of rock mass (laboratory tests, in situ tests, empirical methods)
4.   Time dependent modulus (creep)
5.   Elastic solutions for stresses and displacements beneath foundations and around tunnels (close-formed and numerical analysis)
  
VI.     Moisture Sensitive Behavior of Weak Rocks (swelling and slaking)
 
VII.     Foundations on Rocks
1.   Modes of bearing capacity failure
2.   Socketted pile foundations
3.   Foundation on weathered rock
4.   Foundation on karstic terrain
 
VIII.    Rock Slope Stability
1.   Types of rock slope failures and influencing factors   
2.   Shear strength along geologic discontinuities
2.1   Influencing factors
2.2   Strength criteria (Patton's, Barton's, etc)
3.   Rock Slope stability analysis
3.1   Plane failure
3.2   Wedge failure
3.3   Rotational failure
4.   Stabilization and instrumentation
 
IX.      Groundwater in rocks 
1.   Groundwater flow in rcok masses
2.   Permeability measurement, flow analysis and monitoring
3.   Rock mechanics for petroleum engineering: Permeability and flow in reservoir rocks, drilling and stability of wells, etc.
 
Laboratory Sessions:
1.      Index Properties:
Porosity, void index, unit weight, specific gravity, Schmidt hardness, sonic pulse velocity, Point Load index.
2.      Uniaxial compression test, Triaxial test , 
3.      Direct shear tests of intact rock and rock discontinuity
4.      Slake durability test, Swelling tests
5.      Rock aggregate tests
 
Learning Resources:

Textbook:
Hudson, J. A. (1989): 
Rock Mechanics Principles in Engineering Practice, CIRIA,   Butterworths
Goodman, R. E. (1989):
Introduction to Rock Mechanics, 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons.
Hoek, E. (2000)
Rock Engineering-Course Notes, Available for free downloading from www.rockscience.com
Brady, B. H. G. & Brown, E. T. (1993):
Rock Mechanics For Underground Mining, 2nd Edition, Chapman & Hall
 
Reference Books:
Hudson, J. A. (1993): Editor in Chief
Comprehensive Rock Engineering: Principles, Practice & Project, Vols. 1-5, Pergamon Press.
Lama, R. D., Vutukuri, V. S. and Saluja, S. S. (1974 and 1978):
Handbook on Mechanical Properties of Rocks, Vols. 1-4, Trans. Tech. Publications.
Risnes, R. (1992):
Petroleum Related Rock Mechnaics, Development in Petroleum Science, 33, Elsevier
Thiel, K. (1989):
Rock Mechnanics in Hydroengineering, Development in Geotechnical Engineering, 51, Elevier.
Zhang Lianyang (2004):
Drill Shafts in Rocks: Analysis and Design: Taylor and Francis Group.
Wyllie, D.C. and Mah, C.W. (2004),
Rock Slope Engineering-Civil and Mining. Spons Press. Based on 3rd edition by Hoek and Bray. (1981). Rock Slope Engineering, The Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, London.
 
Journals and Magazines:
Journal of Rook and Rock Engineering
 
Journal of Rock Mechanics, Mineral Science and Geomechanics Abstracts

http://isrm.luno.net/linksijormams.html
http://www.armarocks.org/
http://www.cgs.ca/english/rockmechanics/cgs_rmd_annual_report_98_99.html
http://www.rockscience.com/
http://www.rock-mechanics-software.com/
 
 
Teaching and Learning Methods:

N/A
 
Evaluation Scheme:
The final grade will be computed according to the following weight distribution:

Mid-Semester Exam (25%)
Final Exam (45%)
Laboratory Attendance and Report (20%)
Homework (10%)

Closed book exam.
 
Instructor(s):
SECTION NAME