- WWW Resources
- Catalog Description
- 475 Rock Mechanics Applications to Environmental
Problems. (Crosslisted with Geology, MS&E 475.) II;
3 cr. Classification of rock for specific engineering
purposes, in situ testing, applications to
surface mining and slope stability, applications to
underground mining and excavations, applications to
waste disposal and underground storage, applications to
novel methods of in situ mining, applications to
earthquakes. P: MS&E 474 or cons inst.
- Course Prerequisite(s)
- Prerequisite knowledge and/or skills
-
students are expected to have learned in the prerequisite courses listed above
- Textbook(s) and/or other required material
-
Textbook: class notes.
References: R.E. Goodman, Introduction to Rock Mechanics, 2nd Edition, Wiley, 1989. J.A. Franklin and M.B. Dusseault, Rock Engineering, McGraw Hill, 1989. Hoek and Brown, Underground Excavations in Rock, The Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, London, 2nd edition, 1977. Hoek and Bray, Rock Slope Engineering, The Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, London, 1980. Hudson (editor), Comprehensive Rock Engineering (5 volumes), Pergamon Press.
- Course objectives
-
This course introduces the student to the fundamentals of mechanics of jointed rocks, and to solving practical rock engineering design problems.
- Topics covered
-
Planes of discontinuity in rocks: characteristics and orientation
Mechanical properties of discontinuous rock
Measurement of rock-mass defoormability
Engineering classifications of rock
Principles of design in rock
Design of underground openings (massive rocks, layered rocks, weak rocks)
Design of rock slopes
Design of foundations in rock
Specific rock mechanics applications to geo-environmental problems (term paper)
- Class/laboratory schedule
-
Joint orientation - stereographic projection
Strength and deformability of rock discontinuities - Direct shear tests
riteria of slip on discontinuities - Triaxial tests on joints
Dynamic elastic properties of rock and rock masses
Simulation of tunnel failure under compressive external forces
Simulation of pressure-tunnel failure due to excess internal loading
- Contribution of course to meeting the professional component
- This course contributes primarily to the students' knowledge of engineering topics, and does provide design experience.
The following statement indicates which of the following considerations are included in this course: economic, environmental, ethical, political, societal, health and safety, manufacturability, sustainability.
-
-
environmental
health and safety
economic
- Relationship of course to undergraduate degree program objectives and outcomes
- This course serves students in a variety of engineering majors. The information below describes how the course contributes to the college's educational objectives.
-
-
The objective of this course is to provide the understanding and the tools neccesary to rationally design stable structures in rock. The course provides opportunities for real-world geological engineering practice, and integrates science, mathematics, engineering, and communication (through lab reports) concerning geological engineering.
-
Within the Geological Engineering Program, this course helps provide key educational outcomes as listed below:
-
a. an ability to apply knowledge and principles of mathematics, science, and engineering to geological engineering problems. This includes differential equations, calculus-based physics, chemistry, and geological science topics that emphasize geologic processes, the identification of minerals and rocks, geophysics, and field methods. This also includes engineering science topics such as statics, properties/strength of materials, and geomechanics.
-
b. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
-
c. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, constructability, and sustainability. This requires exposure to topics such as surface and near-surface natural processes, the impacts of construction projects, disposal of wastes, and site remediation.
-
e. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve geological engineering problems in space and time. This includes the knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of earth materials, surface water, ground water and their distribution.
-
h. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
-
i. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
-
j. a knowledge of contemporary issues
-
k. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
- Assessment of student progress toward course objectives
-
Home Work 15
Lab Reports 15
Team Project 30
Exams 40
Home work, lab reports, and exams test the ability of student to identify the important parameters required to assesss the stability of engineering structures in rock, and use these parameters to design safe rock openings. Team projects are designed to develop ability to research literature and work in a team in order to achieve the goals of the assigned project.
- Person(s) who prepared this description
