Ge Eng 5471: Rock Engineering Syllabus

INSTRUCTOR:Norbert H. Maerz, Ph.D. P. Eng.

Tel:341-6714

Fax:341-4368

E-Mail:

Web:

CLASS TIMES:Tuesday4:00-6:30260 Toomey Hall

OFFICE HOURS:Any time, call ahead to make sure I’m in214A Rock Mechanics

By appointment anytime332 McNutt

By telephone anytime

PREREQUISITES: GE3175 (Geomorphology and Terrain Analysis) or equivalent is a prerequisite. The course is intended for geology, mining, geological, and civil engineering students already equipped with an understanding of basic geology, to prepare them for geotechnically-oriented careers.

COURSE CONTENT: The nature of rock, groundwater, and ground stresses, and how they will affect, and be affected by construction work. Techniques of site investigation, testing and monitoring, excavation and stabilization. Quarrying and utilization of earth and rock resources. Introduction to materials behavior and design methods applied to surface and underground construction. Emphasis on essential techniques and concepts.

SKILLS: Students graduating from this course should be able to produce adequate engineering descriptions of rocks and logs of test pits and boreholes; plan an effective and economical site investigation; understand the techniques and principles of geotechnical design, monitoring, excavation and ground stabilization; be able to select methods appropriate for specific ground conditions and types of project; evaluate and plan the extraction of earth and rock resources; recognize the potential environmental effects of geotechnical works and how these can be minimized.

CONCEPTS: How the physical characteristics of geotechnical materials affect their mechanical behavior and engineering performance; the significance, nature and importance of groundwater and ground stresses; how ground conditions vary with depth below surface; scale effects between samples and in situ conditions in soils and rocks and the importance of fissures and joints; variability and uncertainty in ground characteristics and the role of monitoring; the various roles of testing; the decision-making process and empiricism in geotechnical design, and the role of analytical modeling; utilizing the self-supporting characteristics of earth and rock; different objectives of civil and mining works.

TEXTBOOK Required: Rock Engineering (1989) by J.A. Franklin and M.B. Dusseault, McGraw Hill, New York.

TEXTBOOK Optional: Rock Engineering Applications (1991) by J.A. Franklin and M.B. Dusseault, McGraw Hill, New York.

Textbook Notes:

Rock Engineering (1989) is now out of print. Photocopies of the book are available from the instructor at approx $40/copy.

Rock Engineering Applications (1991) is not a required book this term, but complements the course well. (This book is recommended for those pursuing careers in rock engineering, also out of print.).

ADDITIONAL NOTES: All figures that are shown in class will be made available on BlackBoardat

INSTRUCTIONS, DATES, ETC ON WEBSITE: Please check BlackBoard

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS: There will be more or less weekly homework assignments. Assignments will be graded on presentation, clarity and conciseness as well as on technical merit.

FIELD TRIP: There will be one perhaps two field trips for on campus students. Attendance is required. Trip reports may be required.

EXAMINATIONS:One 1.5 -hour midterm examination during class time, and one 1.5 -hour final examination, both open book.

METHOD OF ASSESSMENT:

CLASSROOM

30% Midterm

30% Final Exam

30% Assignments

10% Class Participation

DISTANCE ED

35% Midterm

35% Final Exam

30% Assignments

METHOD OF GRADING:

A: 90-100%

B: 80-89%

C: 70-79%

D: 60-69%

F: <60%

Distance ed. Notes:

Distance ed. students are encouraged to attend live lectures via webex and interact by asking questions and sharing experiences with the class. There is no penalty for not attending classes; however in most cases student that attend classes tend to perform better on exams.

INSTITUTIONAL STUFF:

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Page 30 of the Student Academic Regulations handbook describes the student standard of conduct relative to the University of Missouri System's Collected Rules and Regulations section 200.010, and offers descriptions of academic dishonesty including cheating, plagiarism or sabotage ( Additional guidance for faculty, including the University’s Academic Dishonesty Procedures, is available on-line at Other informational resources for students regarding ethics and integrity can be found online at .

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Any student inquiring about academic accommodations because of a disability should be referred to

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"If you have a documented disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, you are strongly encouraged to meet with me early in the semester. You will need to request that the Disability Services staff send a letter to me verifying your disability and specifying the accommodation you will need before I can arrange your accommodation."

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