Course teacher(s)
Pierre GERARD (Coordinator) and Alessia CuccurulloECTS credits
5
Language(s) of instruction
english
Course content
This course is structured in two main chapters : (i) an introduction to rock mechanics and (ii) new insights into some advanced concepts of soil mechanics and geomechanics.
Introduction to rock mechanics
- Concept of rock mass
- Subsurface stresses and pressures
- Stress state around openings
- Physical properties of rocks
- Deformability and strength of intact rocks
- Deformability and strength of discontinuities
- Deformability and strength of rock masses
- Experimental soil mechanics
- Elastoplastic and critical state models
- Unsaturated soil mechanics
- Ground improvement techniques
- Selected non-standard geomechanica applications: geothermal energy, earthen construction materials, etc.
Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)
At the end of this course, the students will be able to:
- describe the basic concepts of rock mechanics
- describe how advanced soil mechanics can better explain the mechanical behaviour of soil observed experimentally
- explain how unsaturated soil mechanics impact the hydro-mechanical behaviour of soil
Prerequisites and Corequisites
Required and Corequired knowledge and skills
CNSTH303 - Soil mechanics
CNSTH406 - Geotechnical engineering
Teaching methods and learning activities
- Lectures for theoretical aspects (slides available on UV)
- Exercises for the introduction to rock mechanics and advanced soil mechanics
- One lab session on direct shear test
- Seminars from invited speakers for some specific topics (ground improvement techniques, geothermal energy, etc.)
- Visit of companies
The attendance is compulsory for the seminars, the lab session and the visit of companies. A detailed schedule will be distributed at the beginning of the course.
Course notes
- Université virtuelle
Contribution to the teaching profile
This teaching unit contributes to the following competences:
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of exact sciences with the specificity of their application to engineering
- Present and defend results in a scientifically sound way, using contemporary communication tools, for a national as well as for an international professional or lay audience
- Integrate the behaviour of geomaterial as a construction or a geological material in complex civil engineering problems
- Design (conceptually and quantitatively) geotechnical structures by applying the fundamental concepts of soil and rock mechanics
- An attitude of life-long learning as needed for the future development of his/her career
- A critical attitude towards one’s own results and those of others
Other information
Additional information
The course is taught in English.
Contacts
Prof. Pierre Gerard, Solbosch campus, building C ,level 4, Laboratory of GeoMechanics - gerard.pierre@ulb.be
Campus
Solbosch
Evaluation
Method(s) of evaluation
- written examination
written examination
- Open book examination
- Open question with short answer
- Open question with developed answer
The final mark is based on a written examination related to the theoretical concepts studies during the lectures, and their use for some geomechanical applications, as well as to exercises dealing with rock mechanics and advanced soil mechanics
Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)
The final grade is based on the written exam. A penalty of −1/20 will be applied to the final grade (both for first and second sessions) for each mandatory activity missed without a medical certificate or other valid justification.
Language(s) of evaluation
- english