Rock Stability Assessment TSDA 1124

Upon successful completion of each module, the student will be able to:

Module 1 - Introduction and Basic Fundamentals of Rock Mechanics

• Recognize and understand the economic implications of rock slope failure.
• Differentiate between a soil mass and rock mass.
• Identify the role that geologic structure or discontinuities have on rock slope stability.
• Define the terms 'friction,' 'cohesion' and 'shear strength.'
• Define the term 'factor of safety.'

Module 2 - Slope Stability Failure Modes

• Define the term factor of safety and calculate a factor of safety for given slope conditions involving planar failures.
• Describe and recognize the following failure modes: a planar failure, a wedge failure, a circular failure, a ravelling failure and a toppling failure.

Module 3 - Geological Data Collection

• Describe what information must be collected in order to analyze discontinuities in a rock mass.
• Describe mapping techniques used to obtain geological structural information.

Module 4 - Rock Slope Stabilization Methods

• Describe how slope design interrelates to geological structural site conditions and economics.
• Describe and explain the purpose and function of the following remedial rock work techniques:
• Scaling
• Rock bolting
• Excavation
• Meshing
• Shotcrete
• Rock dowelling
• Buttress.

Module 5 - Rockfall Control, Warning and Monitoring Methods

• Explain the purpose and function of catchment areas as a method of rockfall protection or control.
• Explain the purpose and function of wire mesh curtains and catch fences as methods of rockfall control.
• Explain the purpose and function of walls, rock sheds and tunnels as methods of rockfall protection.
• Explain the purpose and function of electric fences and trip wires as methods of rockfall warning.
• Describe two tension crack monitoring systems.
• Graph and interpret monitoring data.

Effective as of Fall 2003