Rock Mechanics Through Project-Based Learning

1 Introduction and book organization 
1.1 Rocks and rock mechanics 
1.2 Book organization 
2 Project description 
2.1 Data from site investigation 
2.2 Data from laboratory testing 
2.3 Project tasks 
3 Rock mass formation 
3.1 The structure of the Earth and tectonic activities 
3.2 Geological structures 
3.3 Rock weathering 
3.4 Project work: geological structures and rock weathering 
3.5 Review quiz 
4 Rocks and rock minerals 
4.1 Rock minerals 
4.2 Identification of common rock-forming minerals 
4.3 Rock cycle and rock types 
4.4 Identification of common rocks 
4.5 Engineering problems related to rocks 
4.6 Project work: analysis of rock types 
4.7 Review quiz 
5 Rock exploration 
5.1 General considerations 
5.2 Desk study 
5.3 Field work 
5.4 Engineering issues during site investigation 
5.5 Project work: cross-section and geological units 
5.6 Review quiz 
6 Discontinuities in rock mass 
6.1 Types of discontinuities 
6.2 Joint characteristics 
6.3 Problems for practice 
6.4 Review quiz 
7 Rock properties and laboratory data analysis 
7.1 Rock properties 
7.2 Laboratory tests and data analysis 
7.3 Problems for practice 
7.4 Review quiz 
8 Stresses and failure criteria 
8.1 Stresses in rock mass 
8.2 Failure criteria 
8.3 Project work: lab data analysis and rock properties 
8.4 The Barton shear strength criterion for jointed rocks 
8.5 Project work: Barton shear strength criterion for the jointed mudstone 
8.6 Problems for practice 
8.7 Review quiz 
9 Rock mass ratings and properties 
9.1 General considerations 
9.2 Rock mass rating 
9.3 Rock tunnel quality Q-system 
9.4 Geological Strength Index 
9.5 Project work: rock mass ratings 
9.6 Rock mass properties 
9.7 Project work: rock mass properties 
9.8 Problems for practice 
9.9 Review quiz 
10 Rock falls 
10.1 Rock falls and factors affecting them 
10.2 Rock fall characteristics 
10.3 Rock fall hazard assessment 
10.4 Project work: rock fall hazard assessment 
10.5 Rock fall protection 
10.6 Project work: rock fall protection 
10.7 Problems for practice 
10.8 Review quiz 
11 Rock slope stability 
11.1 Landslide triggers and causes 
11.2 Types of slope failures 
11.3 Slope stability analysis 
11.4 Limit equilibrium method 
11.5 Project work: slope stability analysis 
11.6 Slope monitoring 
11.7 Stabilization and protection techniques 
11.8 Problems for practice 
11.9 Review questions 
12 Rocks and tunnels 
12.1 Behavior of rock mass in tunnels 
12.2 Brittle failure of massive rock mass 
12.3 Gravitational failure 
12.4 Problems with disintegrated rock mass 
12.5 Project work: tunnel-related problems 
12.6 Problems for practice 
12.7 Review quiz