Rock mass characterization for engineering design

Long Summary

The evaluation of the geomechanical parameters of rock masses in large projects is a topic of great importance given the geological complexity of these masses and the difficulties in their evaluation. These difficulties are related to the uncertainties associated with the rock mass, whose characterization is normally carried out through in situ and laboratory tests. In this course,  the students will learn practical skills to analyse rock masses affected by geological structures, such as discontinuities, folds, fracture and faults at both lab and site scales and understand how rocks deform in geo-engineering projects.

In a first part, we show the fundamental techniques for laboratory measurements of rock physical (i.e., density, permeability, elastic properties, electrical and thermal properties) and mechanical (i.e., USC, triaxial strength, shear strength, frictional properties, fracture toughness) properties.

In a second part, we introduce the most common (borehole and large scale) geophysical methods for site investigation and survey. The methods represent a primary tool for investigation of the subsurface and are applicable to a wide range of problems (e.g., prospecting for natural resources, geological surveying, and engineering investigations).

This course involves student groups conducting laboratory experiments that significantly enhance student understanding of rock mechanics and physics.

Content

The evaluation of the geomechanical parameters of rock masses in large projects is a topic of great importance given the geological complexity of these masses and the difficulties in their evaluation. These difficulties are related to the uncertainties associated with the rock mass, whose characterization is normally carried out through in situ and laboratory tests. In this course,  the students will learn practical skills to analyse rock masses affected by geological structures, such as discontinuities, folds, fracture and faults at both lab and site scales and understand how rocks deform in geo-engineering projects.

In a first part, we show the fundamental techniques for laboratory measurements of rock physical (i.e., density, permeability, elastic properties, electrical and thermal properties) and mechanical (i.e., USC, triaxial strength, shear strength, frictional properties, fracture toughness) properties.

In a second part, we introduce the most common (borehole and large scale) geophysical methods for site investigation and survey. The methods represent a primary tool for investigation of the subsurface and are applicable to a wide range of problems (e.g., prospecting for natural resources, geological surveying, and engineering investigations).

This course involves student groups conducting laboratory experiments that significantly enhance student understanding of rock mechanics and physics.