INTRODUCTION TO ROCK MECHANICS
CVEN 5768

Instructor
Course Syllabus
Course Description
Definition
Course Objective
Important Policies - Please Read

Instructor:      Bernard Amadei, Professor (ECOT 546)
                            Tel: 303-492-7734; Fax: 303-492-7317
                            E-mail: amadei@colorado.edu
 

Course Syllabus: Click here to download the course syllabus (PDF)

Course Description

This 3-credit hour introductory course explores the nature of rocks and rock masses as construction, foundation, or engineering materials. Topics covered include: Physical properties of intact rocks; stresses and strains; thermal, hydraulic and mechanical properties of rocks and rock masses; applications of theory of elasticity in rock mechanics; visco-elasticity; rock discontinuities; hemispherical projection methods; in situ stresses and stress measurements; rock slope engineering and underground excavations in rock.

Definition

Rock mechanics is the branch of geotechnical engineering concerned with the engineering mechanics and the properties of rocks. In general, civil engineers deal with two types of Earth materials: soils and rocks. Geotechnology is a term used in the literature to describe both the science and engineering of soil deposits, rock masses, and the fluids they contain.

Course Objective

The main objective of CVEN 5768 is to teach engineering students: (1) how to appreciate and identify geologic features that could have short and long-term consequences to the overall performance of various engineering structures and projects that they might encounter in their engineering careers, and (2) how to quantify the effect of geologic features when considering rock-structure interaction.

Important Policies - Please Read

Classroom behavior policy: www.colorado.edu/policies/index.html
Student honor code: www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/
 

CU Web Sites of Interest

Chinook Library Catalog
International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences (Science Direct - online)
Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering (SpringerLink - online)
CU Schedule (Spring 2007 - Summer 2009)
Spring 07 Final Exams Schedule
Final Exam Policy

Note: Many articles can be accessed online using a free service of Norlin Library. Web site: http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/research/ejournalfinder.htm