Practical Handbook of Rock Mass Classification Systems and Modes of Ground Failure is a comprehensive, yet concise, guide to 16 of the most important rock classification systems and their failure modes. The book discusses these systems in relation to the design of excavations and ground reinforcement/support under passive, active, static, and dynamic mining conditions. This includes rock testing assessment, surface and underground site investigation, and any practical activity that deals with the physical and mechanical properties of rocks. The book is an excellent professional reference for geoscientists, technicians, and geological engineers doing research and consulting in mining, geological, civil, and petroleum resource fields.

This is the first authoritative reference on rock mass classification, consolidating into one handy source information once widely scattered throughout the literature. It includes new, previously unpublished material and case histories, presents the fundamental concepts of classification schemes, and critically appraises their practical application in industrial projects such as tunneling and mining.

The first Pan-American Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (PCSMGE) was held in Mexico in 1959. Every 4 years since then, PCSMGE has brought together the geotechnical engineering community from all over the world to discuss the problems, solutions and future challenges facing this engineering sector. Sixty years after the first conference, the 2019 edition returns to Mexico. This book, Geotechnical Engineering in the XXI Century: Lessons learned and future challenges, presents the proceedings of the XVI Pan-American Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (XVI PCSMGE), held in Cancun, Mexico, from 17 – 20 November 2019. Of the 393 full papers submitted, 335 were accepted for publication after peer review. They are included here organized into 19 technical sessions, and cover a wide range of themes related to geotechnical engineering in the 21st century. Topics covered include: laboratory and in-situ testing; analytical and physical modeling in geotechnics; numerical modeling in geotechnics; unsaturated soils; soft soils; foundations and retaining structures; excavations and tunnels; offshore geotechnics; transportation in geotechnics; natural hazards; embankments and tailings dams; soils dynamics and earthquake engineering; ground improvement; sustainability and geo-environment; preservation of historic sites; forensics engineering; rock mechanics; education; and energy geotechnics. Providing a state-of-the-art overview of research into innovative and challenging applications in the field, the book will be of interest to all those working in soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering. In this proceedings, 58% of the contributions are in English, and 42% of the contributions are in Spanish or Portuguese.

This book offers a practical reference guide to soft rock mechanics for engineers and scientists. Written by recognized experts, it will benefit professionals, contractors, academics, researchers and students working on rock engineering projects in the fields of civil engineering, mining and construction engineering. Soft Rock Mechanics and Engineering covers a specific subject of great relevance in Rock Mechanics – and one that is directly connected to the design of geotechnical structures under difficult ground conditions. The book addresses practical issues related to the geomechanical properties of these types of rock masses and their characterization, while also discussing advances regarding in situ investigation, safety, and monitoring of geotechnical structures in soft rocks. Lastly, it presents important case histories involving tunnelling, dam foundations, coal and open pit mines and landslides.

Environmental geologists use a wide range of geologic data to solve environmental problems and conflicts. Professionals and academics in this field need to know how to gather information on such diverse conditions as soil type, rock structure, and groundwater flow and then utilize it to understand geological site conditions. Field surveys, maps, well logs, bore holes, ground-penetrating radar, aerial photos, geologic literature, and more help to reveal potential natural hazards in an area or how to remediate contaminated sites. This new workbook presents accessible activities designed to highlight key concepts in environmental geology and give students an idea of what they need to know to join the workforce as an environmental geologist, engineering geologist, geological engineer, or geotechnical engineer. Exercises cover: • Preparation, data collection, and data analysis • Descriptive and engineering properties of earth materials • Basic tools used in conjunction with geoenvironmental investigations • Forces operating on earth materials within the earth • Inanimate forces operating on earth materials at the surface of the earth • Human activities operating on earth materials Each activity encourages students to think critically and develop deeper knowledge of environmental geology.

Rock Engineering is a valuable reference tool for geotechnical engineers, geologists, consultants, contractors, and advanced students on rock engineering and engineering geology courses.

Rock fractures control many of Earth's dynamic processes, including plate-boundary development, tectonic earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and fluid transport in the crust. An understanding of rock fractures is also essential for effective exploitation of natural resources such as ground water, geothermal water, and petroleum. This book combines results from fracture mechanics, materials science, rock mechanics, structural geology, hydrogeology, and fluid mechanics to explore and explain fracture processes and fluid transport in the crust. Basic concepts are developed from first principles and illustrated with worked examples linking models of geological processes to real field observations and measurements. Many additional examples and exercises are provided online, allowing readers to practise formulating and quantitative testing of models. Rock Fractures in Geological Processes is designed for courses at the advanced undergraduate and graduate level but also forms a vital resource for researchers and industry professionals concerned with fractures and fluid transport in the Earth's crust.

This volume aims at providing answers to some puzzling questions concerning the formation and the behavior of collapse calderas by exploring our current understanding of these complex geological processes. Addressed are problems such as:- How do collapse calderas form? - What are the conditions to create fractures and slip along them to initiate caldera collapse and when are these conditions fulfilled? - How do these conditions relate to explosive volcanism?- Most products of large caldera-forming eruptions show evidence for pre-eruptive reheating. Is this a pre-requisite to produce large volume eruptions and large calderas?- What are the time-scales behind caldera processes? - How long does it take magma to reach conditions ripe enough to generate a caldera-forming eruption?- What is the mechanical behavior of magma chamber walls during caldera collapse? Elastic, viscoelastic, or rigid? - Do calderas form by underpressure following a certain level of magma withdrawal from a reservoir, or by magma chamber loading due to deep doming (underplating), or both?- How to interpret unrest signals in active caldera systems?- How can we use information from caldera monitoring to forecast volcanic phenomena?In the form of 14 contributions from various disciplines this book samples the state-of-the-art of caldera studies and identifies still unresolved key issues that need dedicated cross-boundary and multidisciplinary efforts in the years to come. - International contributions from leading experts - Updates and informs on all the latest developments - Highlights hot topic areas and identifies and analyzes unresolved key issues

Rock mass classification methods are commonly used at the preliminary design stages of a construction project when there is very little information. It forms the bases for design and estimation of the required amount and type of rock support and groundwater control measures. Encompassing nearly all aspects of rock mass classifications in detail, Civil Engineering Rock Mass Classification: Tunnelling, Foundations and Landsides provides construction engineers and managers with extensive practical knowledge which is time-tested in the projects in Himalaya and other parts of the world in complex geological conditions. Rock mass classification is an essential element of feasibility studies for any near surface construction project prior to any excavation or disturbances made to earth. Written by an author team with over 50 years of experience in some of the most difficult mining regions of the world, Civil Engineering Rock Mass Classification: Tunnelling, Foundations and Landsides provides construction engineers, construction managers and mining engineers with the tools and methods to gather geotechnical data, either from rock cuts, drifts or core, and process the information for subsequent analysis. The goal is to use effective mapping techniques to obtain data can be used as input for any of the established rock classification systems. The book covers all of the commonly used classification methods including: Barton's Q and Q' systems, Bieniawski's RMR, Laubscher's MRMR and Hoek's and GSI systems. With this book in hand, engineers will be able to gather geotechnical data, either from rock cuts, drifts or core, and process the information for subsequent analysis. Rich with international case studies and worked out equations, the focus of the book is on the practical gathering information for purposes of analysis and design. - Identify the most significant parameters influencing the behaviour of a rock mass - Divide a particular rock mass formulation into groups of similar behaviour, rock mass classes of varying quality - Provide a basis of understanding the characteristics of each rock mass class - Relate the experience of rock conditions at one site to the conditions and experience encountered at others - Derive quantitative data and guidelines for engineering design - Provide common basis for communication between engineers and geologists