Duration
20h Th, 4h Pr, 1d FW, 50h Proj.
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The course presents concepts and tools for rock mechanics. Then the design and building methods of rock works are considered, with special attention to tunnelling.
The course combines part presented by the teacher, presentations by the students, and personal practical works.
Course content :
Rock Mechanics:
? Nature, origin, and structure of intact rock
? Properties of intact rock
? Classification of rock masses
? Rock instabilities and stabilization techniques
? Water in rock mass
? Mechanical properties of intact rock
? Rock joints
? In-situ stresses
Underground Structures (Tunnels):
? Introduction
? (Hydro)geological and geotechnical Studies
? Excavation and Support Methods
? Design and Dimensioning (Convergence/Confinement method)
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of the course, students will master the basic concepts in rock mechanics and in design of rock work. They will be able to design a testing procedure and to analyse the experimental results. They will be able to design a tunnel lining and evaluate the stability of a rocky slope for simple cases.
Students will be able to analyse scientific papers, to present results written or orally, clearly, in a synthetic and structured way.
This course contributes to the learning outcomes I.1, I.2, I.3, II.1, II.2, III.1, III.2, IV.1, IV.2, IV.4, VI.1, VII.1, VII.2, VII.3 of the MSc in geological and mining engineering.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
The course is using concepts teach in solid mechanics and in basic geotechnic. The concepts must be mastered before the course beginning.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
On the one hand, the theoretical part will be taught orally ex-cathedra.
On the other hand, the student will produce a series of works (individuals or in groups), mostly face-to-face :
- analysis of outcrops on site and samples testing in lab
- a rock slope stability analysis
- a literature review, leading to one oral presentation with a ppt support
- an analytical computation of tunnel convergence and support loading (Excel or python file to be developed)
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
The powerpoints used during the theoretical courses are available on e-campus plateform.
Notes concerning the rock mechanics part are available at the "Centrale des cours de l'AEES", and available on-line on the e-campus plateforme. The other part, concerning the rock works, will be given as an pdf file available on the portal e-campus.
These materials are written in french. English speaking student can use the following textbooks, available at the University library :
- Geological engineering, L.I. Gonzales de Vallejo & M. Ferrer, CRC Press
- Fondations of Engineering Geology, T Waltman, Spon Press
- Introduction to Tunnel Construction, D. Chapman, N. Metje & A. Stark
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Written work / report
Further information:
The evaluation is based based on report related to practical works (50%) and on an oral exam (50%).
The oral exam concerns the theoretical part. No support, no course material is allowed. The student answers to 2 questions by doing synthesis.
In case of second session, the written reports related to practical works may be rewritten. The theoretical exam may be presented again.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
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Contacts
Prof. Bertrand François, bertrand.francois@@uliege.be