Examination arrangement

Course content

The course is aiming to give students basic knowledge of numerical analysis for rock engineering. Several numerical methods will be introduced, such as FEM, DEM and FDM. The intention is that students will understand the fundamental theory and application of the numerical methods to rock engineering. Popular commercial codes like UDEC, Phase2 or FLAC3D will be used. The course is carried out mainly in guided self-study and a project report shall be submitted.

Learning outcome

KNOWLEDGE: The student will obtain knowledge in numerical modelling, utilising their knowledge in rock mechanics and rock engineering for numerically analysing stress, displacement, stability/instability condition for underground opening or rock slope.

SKILLS: The student will be able to use a selected program (Phase2, FLAC3D, or UDEC) for analysing their selected issues. The issue can be stability of an underground opening (tunnel, cavern, or mining) or a rock slope (open pit mine, road slope, or natural slope).

GENERAL COMPETENCE: The student will develop their capabilities in understanding the rock mechanic and rock engineering. The student will develop their competence in using a numerical tool to analysing the stress, displacement, and yielded condition for evaluating the stability/instability of an opening or slope in rock.

Learning methods and activities

This is basically a self-study course. However, 2 lectures will be given: one is on continuous modeling and the other is on discontinuous modeling. Students will perform an analysis with a selected commercial code on a selected project and submit a report.

Compulsory assignments

• Report

Further on evaluation

To pass the course a score of at least 70 percent is required.

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

Theory of elasticity. Theory of plasticity.

Required previous knowledge

Requires admission to the PhD programme Engineering, specialization within Engineering Geology and Rock Mechanics, or approval from the person with course responsibility.

Course materials

1. Brady B.H.G. and Brown E.T. (1985) Rock mechanics for underground mining. Chapters 4 & 6.
2. Pande, G. N. Beer, G. Williams, J. R. (1990) Numerical methods in rock mechanics.
3. Evert Hoek, Carlos Carranza-Torres and Brent Corkum (2002) Hoek-Brown Failure Criterion - 2002 Edition.
4. Hoek, E. and Brown, E. T. (1997) Practical estimates of rock mass strength. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Scien., vol. 34, No. 8, pp 1165-1186.
5. FLAC User Manual, Theory and Background, Section 2:Constitutive Models: Theory and Implementation. 2.3 and 2.4.
6. UDEC User Manual, Theory and Background, Sections 1 and 2.
7. Desai C.E. (1977) Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering, McGRAE-HILL, Chapters 1, 2 and 4.
8. Zienkiewicz O.C. and Taylor R.L. (1991) The Finite Element Method. 4th Edition, Chapter 7: Non-linear Problems.