Advanced Rock Mechanics

Group A Rock strata characterization: Geological structures in rock mass, characteristics of rock mass, joints in rock mass, joint survey techniques,rock mass classification systems. Methods of determination of strength and deformability of rock and rock mass, failure criteria for rock and rock mass. Strata mechanics and ground movement—design of underground excavation in competent and incompetent rock, ground movement and control, rock burst theories of subsidence, subsidence prediction and control. Ground control and stabilization .

Group B Theories of elasticity—propagation of elastic waves in rock medium and dynamic behaviour of rocks. Factors influencing stress concentration, zone of influence of an excavation, effect of planes of weaknesses and shape of excavation, delinearization of zone of failure. Instrumentation—monitoring instruments,their operation and installation. Finite element method and boundary clement method, their application for stability analysis of excavation and slopes