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Rock Mechanics and Tunneling Course Outline: Part One Rock Mechanics
Rock Mechanics and Tunneling Course Outline: Part One Rock Mechanics
• Introduction
• Discontinuities
– Description of discontinuities
• Introduction • Excavability
continuous system.
• Geological classification is
classified as:
• Intact Rock
• Rock Mass
Intact Rock
• Intact rock
• A rock mass
• Digenetic discontinuities
• In situ stress of state
Figure 1.4 Geological control of the properties of intact rock and of the
rock mass.
• The mechanical state and behaviour of rock masses
– Are result of a combination of all these factors to a
different extent depending on each situation’
Example
– At and near ground level
• discontinuities and weathering processes play
important role in mechanical state and behavior.
– While at greater depths
• existing state of stress, and the corresponding in situ
stress magnitudes play important role in mechanical
state and behavior.
What is rock mechanics
Rock Mechanics studies
• Is the theoretical and applied
science of the mechanical behavior
of intact rock and rock masses.
• It deals with the mechanical
properties of rocks and the related
methodologies required for
engineering design. Figure 1.5 Rock mass.
• Blocks of Bunter sandstone
• The response of intact rock and
separated by discontinuities
rock masses to the force fields of
their physical environment.
• Rock mechanics can be divided into two subcategories:
– engineering rock mechanics
– geological rock mechanics.
• Engineering geology
• Mining
• Petroleum and
• Environmental engineering.
Toronto CN Tower
(Canada)
The Coliseum
(Rome, Italy)
27
Rock Mechanics in Ethiopia
33
Tunneling
• Tunneling is the recognition of the most probable mode of
failure modes for the rock conditions encountered and the
selection of an appropriate excavation sequences and
support methods to maintain the tunnel profiles.