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TGB4210

Rock and Soil Mechanics, Basic Course

Choose study year
Credits 7.5
Level Third-year courses, level III
Course start Spring 2025
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction Norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement School exam

About

About the course

Course content

Rock mechanics (70%): Rock material: mechanical properties, test methods and failure criteria. Rock joint: mechanical properties and failure criteria. Rock mass: assessment of rock mass quality and estimation of strength and deformation parameters. In situ stresses in the rock mass. Stress distributions around underground openings - tunnels and caverns. 2D elastic numerical modelling for stress analysis. Measurements of in situ rock stresses and rock deformations in the field. Rock failure modes in the field. Rock support: methodology, support devices, rock bolting. Use of rock mechanical principles in the design of underground spaces.

Soil mechanics (30%): Characterization of soil for engineering purposes. Stresses and deformations in soils. Experimental methods for determination of mechanical properties of soils. Case histories on soil mechanics problems.

Learning outcome

The student will obtain knowledge and understanding of rock mechanical and geotechnical processes related to tunnelling, mining, slope stabilization and other constructions/excavations in rock.

Knowledge: The student will obtain knowledge in the mechanical properties and strength of rock and rock masses, the stress state in the rock mass and redistribution of the stress after excavation as well how the changes in rock stress influence the stability of underground structures. Furthermore, the student will obtain knowledge in the strength and stiffness of soils as well as the concepts of pore pressure and effective stress.

Skills: The student will be able to conduct evaluation of the rock mass quality, calculation of the stresses and deformation in the rock around underground openings, stability analysis and rock support design. Furthermore, the student will be able to make simplified calculations of settlement and bearing capacity of soil as well soil slope stability. The student will master numerical modelling in Examine2D.

General competence: The student will develop their capabilities in solving problems in a manner of cross-disciplines, in particular using their knowledge in engineering geology, rock mechanics, rock/mining engineering and soil mechanics.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, compulsory laboratory tests, class exercises and assignments. The course is evaluated by a reference group.

Compulsory assignments

  • Exercises, lab tests

Further on evaluation

If there is a re-sit examination, the form of assessment may be changed from written to oral.

Required previous knowledge

Basis in mechanics, such as GEOL1007 Solid Mechanics for Geologists, TKT4126 Mechanics or other similar courses.

Course materials

A lecture folder in PDF-format and presentation slides.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
SIG0545 7.5 sp
TBA4100 2 sp Autumn 2009
TBM4240 2 sp Autumn 2022
This course has academic overlap with the courses 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

  • Engineering Geology
  • Mineral Production
  • Rock Mechanics
  • Rock Engineering
  • Rock Mechanics
  • Highway Engineering
  • Mining Engineering
  • Geotechnical Engineering

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Geoscience