Failure Mechanics of Rock and Rock Mass

The course is taught every other year.

The course deals with initiation and propagation of single fractures and failure types in rock and rock mass. It involves theories, testing methods, laboratory/field observations, fracture modes in rock, failure types in rock mass, scale effect, and acoustic monitoring technique. It includes both fundamentals of fracture mechanics and advances in the subject. The knowledge one acquires in the course is useful for understanding and interpretation of fracturing in rocks and rock masses.

INGRESS: The student will obtain knowledge and understanding of rock fracture related to underground excavations.

KNOWLEDGE: The student will obtain knowledge in basic fracture mechanics, characteristics of fracture in rock, constitutive modeling, testing methods and the new research trends in rock fracture mechanics.

SKILLS: The students will be able to assess the loading conditions underground openings are subjected to on the basis of the rock fracture/failure modes observed in situ. They will also be able to measure the fracture parameters of rock.

GENERAL COMPETENCE: The students will develop their capabilities in solving problems related to fracture in rock and rock-like materials, in particular using their knowledge in fracture mechanics and rock mechanics.

Teaching will be in forms of lecture and self reading. The weight is put on discussions on individually assigned reading. The students are given up to three assignments each during the semester. They should be presented as reports, which form the basis for course evaluation and grading.