Rock Mechanics Through Project Based Learning

Traditional textbooks on rock mechanics often fail to engage students in the learning process as such books are packed with theory that students are unlikely to use in their future employment. In contrast, this book delivers the fundamentals of rock mechanics using a more practical and engaging project-based approach which simulates what practitioners do in their real-life practice. This book will be of great help to those who would like to learn practical aspects of rock mechanics and better understand how to apply theory to solve real engineering problems. This book covers geology, rock mechanics principles, and practical applications such as rock falls, slope stability analysis and engineering problems in tunnels. Throughout the whole book, the reader is engaged in project-based work so that the reader can experience what rock mechanics is like and clearly see why it is an important part of geotechnical engineering. The project utilizes real field and laboratory data while the relevant theory needed to execute the project is linked to each project task. In addition, each section of the book contains several exercises and quiz questions to scaffold learning. Some problems include open-ended questions to encourage the reader to exercise their judgement and develop practical skills. To foster the learning process, solutions to all questions are provided to allow for learning feedback.

The currently available soil mechanics textbooks explain theory and show some practical applications through solving abstract geotechnical problems. Unfortunately, they do not engage students in the learning process as students do not "experience" what they study. This book employs a more engaging project-based approach to learning, which partially simulates what practitioners do in real life. It focuses on practical aspects of soil mechanics and makes the subject "come alive" through introducing real world geotechnical problems that the reader will be required to solve. This book appeals to the new generations of students who would like to have a better idea of what to expect in their employment future. This book covers all significant topics in soil mechanics and slope stability analysis. Each section is followed by several review questions that will reinforce the reader’s knowledge and make the learning process more engaging. A few typical problems are also discussed at the end of chapters to help the reader develop problem-solving skills. Once the reader has sufficient knowledge of soil properties and mechanics, they will be offered to undertake a project-based assignment to scaffold their learning. The assignment consists of real field and laboratory data including boreholes and test results so that the reader can experience what geotechnical engineering practice is like, identify with it personally, and integrate it into their own knowledge base. In addition, some problems include open-ended questions, which will encourage the reader to exercise their judgement and develop practical skills. To foster the learning process, solutions to all questions are provided to ensure timely feedback.

Educators, are you ready to meet the challenge of cultivating the next generation of engineers in a post-COVID-19 context? Current engineering student cohorts are unique to their predecessors: they are more diverse and have experienced unprecedented disruption to their education due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They will also play a more significant role in contributing to global sustainability efforts. Innovating engineering education is of vital importance for preparing students to confront society’s most significant sustainability issues: our future depends on it. Advancing Engineering Education Beyond COVID: A Guide for Educators offers invaluable insights on topics such as implementing active-learning activities in hybrid modes; developing effective and engaging online resources; creating psychologically safe learning environments that support academic achievement and mental health; and embedding sustainability within engineering education. Students’ own perspectives of online learning are also incorporated, with the inclusion of a chapter authored by undergraduate engineering students. This book consolidates the expertise of leading authorities within engineering education, providing an essential resource for educators responsible for shaping the next generation of engineers in a post-COVID-19 world.

An Ideal Source for Geologists and Others with Little Background in Engineering or MechanicsPractical Rock Mechanics provides an introduction for graduate students as well as a reference guide for practicing engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers. The book considers fundamental geological processes that give rise to the nature of rock ma

This comprehensive introduction to rock mechanics treats the basics of rock mechanics in a clear and straightforward manner and discusses important design problems in terms of the mechanics of materials. This extended second edition includes an additional chapter on rock bursts and bumps, a part on basic dynamics, and numerous additional examples and exercises throughout the chapters. Developed for a complete class in rock engineering, Design Analysis in Rock Mechanics, Second Edition uniquely combines the design of surface and underground rock excavations and addresses: Rock slope stability in surface excavations, from planar block and wedge slides to rotational and toppling failures Shaft and tunnel stability, ranging from naturally supported openings to analysis and design of artificial support and reinforcement systems Entries and pillars in stratified ground Three-dimensional caverns, with an emphasis on cable bolting and backfill Geometry and forces of chimney caving, combination support, and trough subsidence Rock bursts and bumps in underground excavations, with a focus on dynamic phenomena and on fast and sometimes catastrophic failures The numerous exercises and examples familiarize the reader with solving basic practical problems in rock mechanics through various design analysis techniques and their applications. Supporting the main text, appendices provide supplementary information about rock, joint, and composite properties, rock mass classification schemes, useful formulas, and an extensive literature list. The large selection of problems at the end of each chapter can be used for homework assignments. Explanatory and illustrative in character, this volume is suited for courses in rock mechanics, rock engineering and geological engineering design for undergraduate and first-year graduate students in mining, civil engineering, and applied earth sciences. Moreover, it will form a good introduction to the subject of rock mechanics for earth scientists and engineers from other disciplines.

With the ever-increasing developmental activities as diverse as the construction of dams, roads, tunnels, underground powerhouses and storage facilities, petroleum exploration and nuclear repositories, a more comprehensive and updated understanding of rock mass is essential for civil engineers, engineering geologists, geophysicists, and petroleum and mining engineers. Though some contents of this vast subject are included in under-graduate curriculum, there are full-fledged courses on Rock Mechanics/Rock Engineering in postgraduate programmes in civil engineering and mining engineering. Much of the material presented in this book is also taught to geology and geophysics students. In addition, the book is suitable for short courses conducted for teachers, practising engineers and engineering geologists. This book, with contributions from a number of authors with expertise and vast experience in various areas of rock engineering, gives an in-depth analysis of the multidimensional aspects of the subject. The text covers a wide range of topics related to engineering behaviour of rocks and rock masses, their classifications, interpretation of geological mapping of joints through stereographic projection, in situ stress measurements, laboratory and field tests, stability of rock slopes, foundations of structures, including dams and support systems for underground excavations. The Third Edition of the book is further enriched with the addition of a number of case histories in which the analyses and designs were carried out by adopting rock mass parameters as per RMR, Q or GSI. The consequence of such an approach is critically examined. With the adoption of parameters from joint factor, excellent performance prediction has been demonstrated for anisotropic rocks and tunnel. Various expressions developed for Kn and Ks for different conditions are included for adoption in numerical analyses. When dilatancy component is separated, the scale effect on shear response is insignificant. This edition provides a comprehensive understanding of rock mass response and enables students to tackle rock engineering problems more confidently and realistically, and therefore it will be of immense benefit to students, teachers, professionals and designers alike.

Scale-Size and Structural Effects of Rock Materials presents the latest research on the scale-size and structural effects of rock materials, including test methods, innovative technologies, and applications in indoor testing, rock mechanics and rock engineering. Importantly, the book explains size-dependent failure criteria, including the multiaxial failure and Hoek-Brown failure criterion. Five chapters cover the size effect of rock samples, rock fracture toughness, scale effects of rock joints, microseismic monitoring and application, and structural effects of rock blocks. The book reflects on the scientific and technical challenges from extensive research in Australia and China. The title is innovative, practical and content-rich. It will be useful to mining and geotechnical engineers researching the scale-size and structural effects of rock materials, including test methods, innovative technologies and applications in indoor testing, rock mechanics, and engineering, and to those on-site technical specialists who need a reliable and up to date reference. Presents the latest theory and research on the scale, size and structure of rock materials Develops new methods for evaluating the scale-size dependency and structural effects of rock and rock-like materials Describes new technologies in mining engineering, tunneling engineering and slope engineering Provides an account of size-dependent failure criterion, including multiaxial and Hoek-Brown Gives practical and theoretical insights based on extensive experience on Australian and Chinese geotechnical projects

This comprehensive introduction to rock mechanics treats the basics of rock mechanics in a clear and straightforward manner and discusses important design problems in terms of the mechanics of materials. This extended second edition includes an additional chapter on Rock Bursts and Bumps, a part on Basics Dynamics, and has numerous additional examples and exercises throughout the chapters. Developed for a complete class in rock engineering, this volume uniquely combines the design of surface and underground rock excavations and addresses: • rock slope stability in surface excavations, from planar block and wedge slides to rotational and toppling failures • shaft and tunnel stability, ranging from naturally-supported openings to analysis and design of artificial support and reinforcement systems • entries and pillars in stratified ground • three-dimensional caverns, with emphasis on cable bolting and backfill • geometry and forces of chimney caving, combination support and trough subsidence • rock bursts and bumps in underground excavations, with focus on dynamic phenomena and on fast and sometimes catastrophic failures. The numerous exercises and examples familiarize the reader with solving basic practical problems in rock mechanics through various design analysis techniques and their applications. Supporting the main text, appendices provide supplementary information about rock, joint, and composite properties, rock mass classification schemes, useful formulas, and an extensive literature list. The large selection of problems at the end of each chapter can be used for home assignment. A solutions manual is available to course instructors. Explanatory and illustrative in character, this volume is suited for courses in rock mechanics, rock engineering and geological engineering design for undergraduate and first year graduate students in mining, civil engineering and applied earth sciences. Moreover, it will form a good introduction to the subject of rock mechanics for earth scientists and engineers from other disciplines.