Rock Mechanics: An Introduction

Rock mechanics is a multidisciplinary subject combining geology, geophysics, and engineering and applying the principles of mechanics to study the engineering behavior of the rock mass. With wide application, a solid grasp of this topic is invaluable to anyone studying or working in civil, mining, petroleum, and geological engineering. Rock Mechanics: An Introduction presents the fundamental principles of rock mechanics in a clear, easy-to-comprehend manner for readers with little or no background in this field. The text includes a brief introduction to geology and covers stereographic projections, laboratory testing, strength and deformation of rock masses, slope stability, foundations, and more. The authors—academics who have written several books in geotechnical engineering—have used their extensive teaching experience to create this accessible textbook. They present complex material in a lucid and simple way with numerical examples to illustrate the concepts, providing an introductory book that can be used as a textbook in civil and geological engineering programs and as a general reference book for professional engineers.

Table of Contents:
Fundamentals of engineering geology Introduction Structure and composition of the Earth Minerals and mineralogical analysis Rock formations and types Geological structures and discontinuities Weathering of rocks and soil formation Earthquakes Hydrogeology Site investigation Summary References Spherical presentation of geological data Introduction Orientations of planes and lines Coordinate system with longitudes and latitudes Intersection of a plane and a sphere Spherical projections Slope failure mechanisms and kinematic analysis Summary References Rock properties and laboratory testing Introduction Engineering properties of intact rock Uniaxial compressive strength test Indirect tensile strength test Point load strength test Slake durability test Schmidt hammer test Triaxial test Empirical correlations Summary References Rock mass classification Introduction Intact rock and rock mass Factors affecting discontinuities Rock mass classification Rock mass rating Tunnelling quality index: Q-system Geological strength index Summary References Strength and deformation characteristics of rocks Introduction In situ stresses and strength Stress–strain relations Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion Hoek–Brown failure criterion Mohr–Coulomb c′ and f ′ for rock mass from the Hoek–Brown parameters Deformation modulus Strength of rock mass with a single plane of weakness Summary References Rock slope stability Introduction Modes of rock slope failure Slope stability analysis Slope stabilisation Summary References Foundations on rock Introduction Shallow foundations Deep foundations Foundation construction and treatment Summary References Appendix A Index