I., . . on i I Engineering rock mechanics an introduction to the principles [...]... critically on the rock mass properties and the interaction between the rock mass and the engineered structure As a result, the distinct discipline of engineering rock mechanics has developed The term rock mechanics’ refers to the basic science of mechanics applied to rocks; whilst the term rock engineering refers to any engineering activity involving rocks Thus, the term engineering rock mechanics’... sub+ of rock mechanics 5 Figure 1. 6 Heavily supported tunnel excavated by blasting high-energy particle accelerators For all of these applications, it is essential to understand the rock material and the rock mechanics so that engineering can be conducted in an optimal way Figure 1. 7 Rock fractures forming rock blocks within the rock structure (with 1m long white scale) 6 introduction Figure 1. 8 Open-pit... in rock engineering, the material is natural As engineers and in the context of mechanics, we must establish 12 Geological sefting Figure 2 .1 Relatively consistent intact rock Figure 2.2 'Layered' intact rock Rock as an engineering material 13 the properties of the material, the pre-existing stress state in the ground (which will be disturbed by engineering) and consider these in relation to our engineering. .. University of London 7 Introduction 1. 1 The subject of rock mechanics The subject of rock mechanics started in the 19 50s from a rock physics base and gradually became a discipline in its own right during the 19 60s As explained in the Preface, rock mechanics is the subject concerned with the response of rock to an applied disturbance, which is considered here as an engineering, i.e a man-induced, disturbance... Contents 18 Design and analysis of surface excavations 18 .1 Kinematic analysis of slope instability mechanisms 18 .2 Combined kinematic analysis of complete excavations 18 .3 Foundations: stress distributions beneath variably loaded areas 18 .4 Techniques for incorporating variations in rock and site factors into the analyses 309 309 323 325 330 19 Underground excavation instability mechanisms 339 19 .1 Structurally-controlled... successfully by knowing the rock mechanics principles and applications Figure 1. 9 Large dam in Portugal The subject of rock mechanics 7 Figure 1. 10 Large open-pit mine in Chile All these rock engineering projects, whether we have experience of them or not, can be summarized in the diagram in Fig 1. 12.In this diagram, there is appreciation of the three main aspects of such engineering projects: the outer... Rock mechanics interaction matrices L K n o w l e d g e - b a s e d expert systems / Figure 1 1 Three-tier approach to all rock engineering problems .2 between rock stresses and rock structure in the rock mechanics context; and there will be relations between rock support systems and cost implications in the rock engineering context finally, the central ring represents the individual aspects of each project,... and isotropy of rock material and rock masses 2 .1 Rock as an engineering material One of the most important, and often frequently neglected, aspects of rock mechanics and rock engneering is that we are utilizing an existing material which is usually highly variable This is demonstrated in Figs 2 .1- 2.3 The rock will be used either as a building material so the structure will be made of rock, or a structure... content of the integrated e n p e e r i n g rock mechanics course given at Imperial College and on the authors’ engineering experience Chapters 1- 13 cover rock mechanics, Chapter 14 discusses the principles of rock engineering systems, and Chapters 15 -20 cover major applications in rock engineering The philosophy of the presentation is to provide comprehension of all the subjects discussed In all aspects,... discipline of rock mechanics is universal in its application and the engineering is especially visible in those countries where the ground surface is predominantly composed of rock, for example, Chile, Finland, Scotland, Spain, and 2 Introduction Figure 1. 1 Rock structure illustrating the complex nature of the material the former Yugoslavia In these and other similar 'rocky' countries, rock engineering . 65 68 71 71 73 75 77 78 82 85 85 86 89 95 10 6 11 1 11 3 11 4 11 6 13 4 13 8 14 1 14 1 14 4 14 7 14 9 14 9 15 1 15 1 15 4 15 6 15 9 16 0 16 3 16 3 16 5 16 6 16 9 17 3 17 3 Contents. the rock mass environment Stabilization of 'transitional' rock masses Further comments on rock stabilization methods 1 74 17 7 18 1 18 6 19 1 19 3 19 3 19 5 19 8 2 01 2 01 202. Contents ix 11 .2 11 .3 Tests on intact rock 11 .4 Tests on discontinuities 11 .5 Tests on rock masses 11 .6 Standardized tests Tailoring testing to engineering requirements 12 . Rock mass