Level of education
Bachelor's degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training structure
Faculty of Science
Description
This EU presents the mechanical behavior of rocks based on the results of laboratory work. The different types of laboratory experiments are described and the various mechanical behaviors are discussed and illustrated with experimental data. Hydrostatic compression, uniaxial compression, and triaxial compression tests are described. Elastic, plastic, and viscous behaviors are considered, and the combination of these behaviors is applied to describe the behavior of rocks.
Concepts related to the behavior of discontinuities and fracture mechanics are discussed. The concepts of creep and delayed behavior will also be discussed in order to consider the long-term behavior of rock masses.
In order to quantitatively consider mechanical behaviors, the concepts of stress tensor and deformation will be discussed. These will enable the introduction of elastic deformation calculations based on elastic moduli. The calculation of stresses on planes, based on knowledge of the stress tensor, will be discussed in general terms and illustrated using Mohr's representation.
Objectives
The EU's objective is to raise students' awareness of the usefulness of rock mechanics in the context of traditional Earth science issues. Students will need to understand the main types of mechanical behavior that exist and apply them to rocks, trying to take into account all their complexity. They will also need to know how to use the stress tensor to calculate stresses on planes, such as geological discontinuities.
Mandatory prerequisites
None
Knowledge assessment
Continuous assessment comprising:
- a written exam covering the course and exercises
- an oral presentation on an analysis of experimental data from the literature.
Targeted skills
- Understand the challenges of rock mechanics and its applications
- Understand the main mechanical behaviors of rocks
- Be able to interpret experimental data in terms of mechanical behavior
- Know how to use the stress tensor to calculate stresses on plane discontinuities.
Bibliography
Manual of Rock Mechanics, Volumes I and II, 1999, published by the French Committee on Rock Mechanics.