Course content

The course is taught in English for the 1st year master level civil engineering students (2-years MSc programs). The course mainly covers material properties of rocks and rock mass; in situ stresses and groundwater in the rock mass; classification of rock mass, support and lining for tunnels and caverns; engineering geological investigation methods; design approach for tunnels, caverns and pressure shafts; rock slope stability; drill and blast tunnels: excavation method, blast design, time and cost estimation; TBM tunnels: excavation method, TBM performance, time and cost estimation.

Learning outcome

Ingress: The student gains fundamental (basic) knowledge in engineering geology and tunneling methods.

Knowledge: The student will be able to describe engineering geological properties of rock mass, classify rock mass quality, carry out stability assessment and estimate rock support requirement, assess stability of rock slope, select appropriate tunnel construction methods and increase understanding on engineering geological investigations so that they gain basic knowledge in planning, design and construction of structures in rock mass.

Skills and competence: The students gain skills and general competence in evaluating engineering geological conditions for planning and construction of tunnels, caverns and shafts.

General competence: The student will be able to perform basic engineering geological assessment and selection of tunnel construction methods and subject specific digital tools to provide long-term and sustainable solutions.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures in engineering geology and tunneling; compulsory tutorials both in engineering geology and tunneling. Visit to engineering geological lab and field excursion are part of tutorials. Lectures and examination will be given in English only. Compulsory field excursion may be scheduled for a weekend. The course is evaluated by reference group.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

Completed undergraduate level in civil / geological engineering or equivalent.

Required previous knowledge

Comprehensive knowledge in civil engineering and general geology disciplines. In addition, the candidates are required to have higher level knowledge in mathematics, statistics, chemistry etc.

Course materials

Rock engineering - Hydropower development series 9; course material in drill and blast tunnels and TBM tunnels; lecture notes and additional material recommended by the professors.

Credit reductions