An Ideal Source for Geologists and Others with Little Background in Engineering or Mechanics Practical 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 masses and control their mechanical behavior. Stresses in the earth’s crust are discussed and methods of measurement and prediction explained. Ways to investigate, describe, test, and characterize rocks in the laboratory and at project scale are reviewed. The application of rock mechanics principles to the design of engineering structures including tunnels, foundations, and slopes is addressed. The book is illustrated throughout with simple figures and photographs, and important concepts are illustrated by modern case examples. Mathematical equations are kept to the minimum necessary and are explained fully—the book leans towards practice rather than theory. This text: Addresses the principles of rock mechanics as it applies to both structural geology and engineering practice Demonstrates the importance of and methods of geological characterisation to rock engineering Examines the standard methods of rock mechanics testing and measurement as well as interpretation of data in practice Explains connections between main parameters both empirically as well as on the basis of scientific theory Provides examples of the practice of rock mechanics to major engineering projects Practical Rock Mechanics teaches from first principles and aids readers’ understanding of the concepts of stress and stress transformation and the practical application of rock mechanics theory. This text can help ensure that ground models and designs are correct, realistic, and produced cost-effectively.

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.

This text provides an introduction for graduate students, as well as engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers. It is also relevant to those working in nuclear waste disposal and oil and gas production. The early chapters deal with fundamental mechanics and physics as they apply to rock masses. It provides an introduction to the geological processes that give rise to the nature of rock masses and control their mechanical behavior. It discusses stresses in the earth's crust and explains methods of measurement and prediction.

Analysis and Design Methods

Until a few years ago, hydropower, road tunneling and mining were the main fields interested in rock mechanics. Now, however, rock mechanics is becoming increasingly important in many more branches - the most significant globally being the disposal of hazardous, especially radiaoctive, waste in deeply located repositories. This has raised a number of new aspects on the mechanical behaviour of large rock masses hosting repositories and of smaller rock elements forming the nearfield of tunnels and boreholes with waste containers. The geological background and above all rock structure form the basis of this book. The structural scheme proposed is referred to explain the scale-dependent behaviour of rock. Thus, the reason for differences in strength and strain properties of different types and volumes of rocks is shown in a very clear fasion, using simple material models and very basic numerical models.The author's academic background in both geology and soil and rock mechanics and his long experience in practical design and construction work has led to an unusually pedagogic way of dealing with the subject. The book is intended for use by consultants in engineering geology and waste disposal and by students of these subjects. However, engineers and geologists with a limited background in stress/strain and fracture theory and computer-based calculation methods will also find the book attractive.

A practical guide to the principles of rock mechanics and their relevance and application to rock engineering in a form which is rapidly assimilable and easily accessible to civil and geotechnical engineers. No bibliography. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

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

This book provides a new and much-needed systems approach to all rock engineering problems. The methodology has application to any structures built on or in rock, and hence will be of major interest to everyone involved in the subject - engineers, researchers, students and teachers. the author explains from first principles how this new and original methodology is developed. The subjects encompass a unique atlas of rock engineering mechanisms, a method of establishing the importance of each parameter and mechanism in any rock engineering project, the energy and entropy contexts, how to implement the approach in engineering practice, and all the benefits accruing from systems thinking - with examples ranging from assessing candidate schemes to systems auditing of rock engineering projects.