course-details-portlet

GEOL1007

Solid Mechanics for Geologists

Choose study year
Credits 7.5
Level Third-year courses, level III
Course start Autumn 2024
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement School exam

About

About the course

Course content

The course gives the geology students the required preliminary knowledge in solid mechanics so that they be able to follow courses TGB4210 Rock and Soil Mechanics, Basic Course and TGB4260 Numerical Modelling for Rock Engineering later in their studies within Environmental and Construction Geology.

Mathematical preliminaries (30-40%): basic linear algebra; matrices, vectors and tensors; eigenvalues.

Solid mechanics (60-70%): stresses and strains; principal stresses; plane stress and plane strain; elasticity; plasticity; viscoelasticity; failure criteria; stress concentration; brittle and ductile behavior; mechanical properties; heterogeneity; representative elementary volume; size effect; contact problems; experimental measurement of stresses and strains in the laboratory.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: The student will understand mathematical concepts (vector, tensor, eigenvalue) that are central in solid mechanics. The student will understand the difference between different types of material behavior - brittle, ductile, elastic, plastic, viscoelastic, creep. The student will understand the difference between different failure criteria. The student will understand the difference between plane strain and plane stress conditions. The student will understand how stress concentration happens and what consequences it has. The student will understand different types of boundary conditions.

Skills: The student will be able to perform basic algebraic operations on matrices, vectors and tensors. The student will be able to calculate principal stresses in two-dimensional problems. The student will be able to make a choice amongst different failure criteria. The student will be able to evaluate the effect of stress concentration.

General expertise: The student will obtain preliminary expertise that is required to follow courses TGB4210 Rock and Soil Mechanics, Basic Course and TGB4260 Numerical Modelling for Rock Engineering. This will directly contribute to achieving UN sustainable development goal 4 "Quality education".

Learning methods and activities

Weekly colloquia; self-study; mandatory assignments.

The course is taught in English.

The course is evaluated by a reference group.

Compulsory assignments

  • Exercises

Further on evaluation

The student have to get all mandatory exercises approved in order to take exam. Examination papers will be given in English only. If there is a re-sit examination, the form of assessment may be changed from written to oral exam.

Specific conditions

Admission to a programme of study is required:
Geology (BGEOL)

Required previous knowledge

The following two courses are the mandatory prerequisite for this course:

MA0001 Mathematical Methods A

MA0002 Mathematical Methods B

Course materials

1. Specially-designed course material to read before each colloquium.

2. Fleisch, D. (2011) A Student's Guide to Vectors and Tensors. Cambridge University Press.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
TKT4126 3 sp Autumn 2021
This course has academic overlap with the course in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Structural Geology/Tectonics
  • Engineering Geology
  • Mineral Production
  • Rock Mechanics
  • Rock Engineering
  • Rock Mechanics
  • Mining Engineering
  • Geotechnical Engineering

Contact information

Course coordinator

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Geoscience