1st Edition

Rock Mechanics Through Project-Based Learning

By Ivan Gratchev Copyright 2020
    162 Pages
    by CRC Press

    162 Pages
    by CRC Press

    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.

    1 Introduction and book organization
    1.1 Rocks and rock mechanics
    1.2 Book organization

    2 Project description
    2.1 Data from site investigation
    2.2 Data from laboratory testing
    2.3 Project tasks

    3 Rock mass formation
    3.1 The structure of the Earth and tectonic activities
    3.2 Geological structures
    3.3 Rock weathering
    3.4 Project work: geological structures and rock weathering
    3.5 Review quiz

    4 Rocks and rock minerals
    4.1 Rock minerals
    4.2 Identification of common rock-forming minerals
    4.3 Rock cycle and rock types
    4.4 Identification of common rocks
    4.5 Engineering problems related to rocks
    4.6 Project work: analysis of rock types
    4.7 Review quiz

    5 Rock exploration
    5.1 General considerations
    5.2 Desk study
    5.3 Field work
    5.4 Engineering issues during site investigation
    5.5 Project work: cross-section and geological units
    5.6 Review quiz

    6 Discontinuities in rock mass
    6.1 Types of discontinuities
    6.2 Joint characteristics
    6.3 Problems for practice
    6.4 Review quiz

    7 Rock properties and laboratory data analysis
    7.1 Rock properties
    7.2 Laboratory tests and data analysis
    7.3 Problems for practice
    7.4 Review quiz

    8 Stresses and failure criteria
    8.1 Stresses in rock mass
    8.2 Failure criteria
    8.3 Project work: lab data analysis and rock properties
    8.4 The Barton shear strength criterion for jointed rocks
    8.5 Project work: Barton shear strength criterion for the jointed mudstone
    8.6 Problems for practice
    8.7 Review quiz

    9 Rock mass ratings and properties
    9.1 General considerations
    9.2 Rock mass rating
    9.3 Rock tunnel quality Q-system
    9.4 Geological Strength Index
    9.5 Project work: rock mass ratings
    9.6 Rock mass properties
    9.7 Project work: rock mass properties
    9.8 Problems for practice
    9.9 Review quiz

    10 Rock falls
    10.1 Rock falls and factors affecting them
    10.2 Rock fall characteristics
    10.3 Rock fall hazard assessment
    10.4 Project work: rock fall hazard assessment
    10.5 Rock fall protection
    10.6 Project work: rock fall protection
    10.7 Problems for practice
    10.8 Review quiz

    11 Rock slope stability
    11.1 Landslide triggers and causes
    11.2 Types of slope failures
    11.3 Slope stability analysis
    11.4 Limit equilibrium method
    11.5 Project work: slope stability analysis
    11.6 Slope monitoring
    11.7 Stabilization and protection techniques
    11.8 Problems for practice
    11.9 Review questions

    12 Rocks and tunnels
    12.1 Behavior of rock mass in tunnels
    12.2 Brittle failure of massive rock mass
    12.3 Gravitational failure
    12.4 Problems with disintegrated rock mass
    12.5 Project work: tunnel-related problems
    12.6 Problems for practice
    12.7 Review quiz

    Biography

    Dr. Ivan Gratchev is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Engineering & Built Environment, Griffith University, Australia. His research interests are in geotechnical aspects of landslides, soil liquefaction, and rock mechanics. He has published numerous research articles in leading international journals and international conferences. During his academic career, Dr. Gratchev has taught several geotechnical courses (including soil mechanics, rock mechanics and geotechnical engineering practice) using a project-based approach. His teaching achievements were recognised by his peers and students through several learning and teaching citations and awards. Dr. Gratchev has co-authored a textbook on soil mechanics entitled "Soil Mechanics through Project-Based Learning".