Duration
20h Th, 4h Pr, 1d FW, 50h Proj.
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The course presents concepts and tools for rock mechanics. Then the design and building methods of rock works are considered, with special attention to tunnelling.
The course combines part presented by the teacher, presentations by the students, and personal practical works.
Course content :
Rock mechanics : Basic principles, determining the mechanical properties of rock masses, experimental investigations, constitutive models,
Earthwork : stability of underground opening, design procedures, tunnelling methodology, rock slope stability, rock foundation engineering, etc.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of the course, students will master the basic concepts in rock mechanics and in design of rock work. They will be able to design a testing procedure and to analyse the experimental results. Thy will be able to design a tunnel lining and a slope stability for simple cases.
Students will be able to analyse scientific papers, to present results written or orally, clearly, in a synthetic and structured way.
This course contributes to the learning outcomes I.1, I.2, I.3, II.1, II.2, III.1, III.2, IV.1, IV.2, IV.4, VI.1, VII.1, VII.2, VII.3 of the MSc in geological and mining engineering.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
The course is using concepts teach in solid mechanics and in basic geotechnic. The concepts must be mastered before the course beginning.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
On the one hand, the theoretical part will be taught orally ex-cathedra.
On the other hand, the student will produce a series of works (individuals or in groups), mostly face-to-face :
- an analytical computation of tunnel convergence and support loading (Excel or Matlab file to be developed),
- a rock slope stability analysis
- a literature review, leading to 1 or 2 oral presentation with ppt or poster supports
- analysis of outcrops on site and samples testing in lab
- report writing
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face
Recommended or required readings
Notes concerning the rock mechanics part are available at the "Centrale des cours de l'AEES". The other part, concerning the rock works, will be given as an pdf file available on the portal MyULiege. These materials are written in french. English speaking student can use the following textbooks, available at the University library :
- Geological engineering, L.I. Gonzales de Vallejo & M. Ferrer, CRC Press
- Fondations of Engineering Geology, T Waltman, Spon Press
- Introduction to Tunnel Construction, D. Chapman, N. Metje & A. Stark
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Written work / report
Additional information:
The evaluation is based based on report related to practical works (50%) and on an oral exam (50%).
The oral exam concerns the theoretical part. No support, no course material is allowed. The student answers to 2 questions by doing synthesis.
The practical works contributes to the evaluation though :
- oral presentations of literature reviews
- written report on convergence - confinement exercise
- written report on outcrops analysis and on lab testing.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The course is organised during the 2nd semester, on tuesday morning
Assistance to practical part is mandatory.
Contacts
Prof. Bertrand François, bertrand.francois@@uliege.be
Prof. Frédéric Collin, f.collin@uliege.be