AF2602 Rock Mechanics 7.5 credits
The objective of this course is to give the students basic knowledge with respect to rock engineering design, including the determination of: (1) intact rock and rock mass mechanical properties, (2) rock mass strength, (3) stresses and deformations around excavations and (4) different types of failure mechanisms. After the course the students shall be able to:
- Understand the fundamental differences between the rock mass and other types of man-made construction materials.
- Identify various geological hazards.
- Use different rock mass classifications systems.
- Determine the mechanical properties of intact rock and rock masses.
- Calculate stresses and deformations around underground openings.
- Understand and calculate the interaction between the rock mass and the installed support.
- Analyse typical stability problems in rock for tunneling, slopes and foundations.
Choose semester and course offering
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Application
For course offering
Spring 2025 Start 14 Jan 2025 programme students
Application code
60028
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
- Basic terms in engineering geology and rock mechanics
- Geological uncertainties and ground behavior
- Pre-investigation methods
- Mechanical properties of the rock mass
- Rock support
- Interaction between rock mass and rock support in tunnel engineering
- Block and arching stability in tunnels
- Slope stability
- Foundations on rock
Intended learning outcomes
After the course the students shall be able to:
- Account for the fundamental differences between the rock mass and other types of man-made construction materials.
- Describe ground behavior for different geological conditions and identify common geological uncertainties.
- Use different rock mass classification systems such as the Q system, the Rock Mass Rating (RMR) and the Geological Strength Index (GSI).
- Determine the mechanical properties of intact rock, joints, and rock masses to be used as input to the rock mechanical calculations.
- Calculate radial and tangential stresses and deformations around underground openings.
- Analyze the interaction between the rock mass and the installed support in tunnels with the ground reaction curve concept.
- Analyze typical stability problems in rock engineering such as block stability, arching stability and slope stability.
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
Documented knowledge in soil mechanics or foundation engineering 7,5 ECTS. corresponding to the content in course AF1601.
Eng B/6 according to the Swedish upper secondary school system.
Recommended prerequisites
Knowledge foundation engineering and structural mechanics, structural engineering corresponding to the content in course AF1005 and AF2609.
Equipment
Literature
Rock Engineering by Arild Palmström and Håkan Stille
Examination and completion
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Grading scale
Examination
- LAB1 - Laboratory Work, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
- TEN1 - Examination, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
- ÖVN1 - Exercises, 3.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
Other requirements for final grade
Written examination (TEN1; 3 hp),
approved exercises (ÖVN1; 3 hp) and laboratory work (LAB1; 1,5 hp)
Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination
Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination
Examiner
Ethical approach
- All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
- In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
- In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.