Learning objectives
The student learns the fundamental of rock mechanics and the methods to characterize the rock masses.
Knows how to design support elements for rock slopes and tunnels.
The students apply knowledge and understanding by solving exercices, in teams in the classroom or as homework, that refer to engineering practice.
Teamwork in the solution of exercices help students to make and motivate choices, exchange opinions, draw conclusions. A written report is also required to illustrate the results of the exercices.
Prerequisites
Calculus and geotechnics.
Course unit content
The mechanical behaviour of rock and rock masses. Definition of rock mass, rock discontinuities. Quantitative description of discontinuities (in-situ surveys and drill cores); Shear strenght of discontinuities (strenght criteria, measure in-situ and in laboratory); Mechanical properties of unperturberd rocks (lab. tests); Rock masses classification methods; empirical methods for rock mass characterization; in-situ tests for rock mass characterization; groundwater flows in rocks (in situ-tests); Numerical method for rock mass modeling.
Rock Engineering: use of stereographic projection for the analysis of kinematic modes of blocks. Limit equilibrium analysis for the slope stability analysis of open pits and excavations. Rock support systems and their dimensioning. Numerical methods for the analysis of the mechanical behaviour of rock structures. Examples of open pit mines, large building and constructions.
Tunnels and underground engineering: design, excavation methods and construction of surface and deep tunnels. Empirical methods to select the construction method and the support type of deep tunnels. Analytical solutions to compute stress and strain in undeground cavities; tunnel support design with the characteristic curve method; supports for safety conditions in tunnels; measurement and monitoring during tunnel construction; distinct element method and finite elements method in the project of tunnels and large underground cavities
Full programme
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Bibliography
J.A. Hudson, J.P. Harrison – Engineering Rock Mechanics: an introduction to the principles – Pergamon.
Available at Biblioteca politecnica di Ingegneria e Architettura.
B. H. G. Brady, E. T. Brown - Rock mechanics for underground mining - Chapman & Hall – London 1993- Available at Biblioteca politecnica di Ingegneria e Architettura.
M. Barla – Elementi di Meccanica e Ingegneria delle Rocce – Celid
Teaching methods
Lectures, numerical exercises
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination with questions are about theoretical and methodological aspects of rock mechanics; questions and discussion of the results of numerical exercices.
Other information
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