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Introduction
1.1 Definition and application of rock mechanics
The subject of rock mechanics started in the 1950s from a rock physics base and gradually became a discipline in its own right during the 1960s.
Definition: According to ISRM the field of rock mechanics is taken to include all studies relative to the physical and mechanical behaviour of rocks and rock masses and the application of this knowledge for the better understanding of the geological processes and in the field of engineering.
The main factor that distinguishes Rock Mechanics from other engineering disciplines is the application of mechanics on a larger scale to a pre-stressed naturally occurring discontinuum.
Rock mechanics is, therefore, a discipline that uses the principles of mechanics to describe the behaviour of rock of engineering scale. 2
How are rocks formed? What are the factors that affect the engineering properties of rocks and rock masses? How will rock react when put to mens use? What is the bearing capacity of rock on surface and at depths? What is the shear strength of rocks? What is the response of rocks under dynamic /earthquake type loading? What is the modulus of elasticity of rock and how to get it? What are the effects of rock defects (jointing bedding planes, schistocity, fissures, cavities and other discontinuities) on its strength? What are the mechanisms of failure of rocks?
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The way one kind of rock (sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic) can turn 6 into another kind of rock.
(a) Igneous rocks Igneous rock is defined as any rock that has cooled from molten rock.
Magma - Liquid rock under the ground. Lava - Liquid rock above the ground. Intrusive Igneous Rocks - Rocks that cool from a melt below the ground. Extrusive Igneous Rocks Rocks that cool from a melt above the ground
(b) Sedimentary rocks Formed by compaction of clasts, a chemical precipitate, or and evaporative residue. Clast A particle of a rock. Chemical precipitate a fine powder that comes out of solution.
Evaporative residue a fine powder left over when water with minerals dissolved in it evaporates.
compacted clasts (particles of rock) Non-Clastic Sedimentary Rocks - Sedimentary rocks formed from compacted precipitates or evaporate residues. Sedimentary rocks can contain fossils.
Almost any rock, if metamorphosed enough can turn into schist or gneiss.
Remarks: Any rock can become an igneous rock if it is melted to a liquid and then is cooled back into a solid. Any rock can become a metamorphic rock if it is changed by heat and pressure but not melted. Any rock can become a sedimentary rock if it is weathered into clasts (particles) and then the clasts are compacted. Any rock can become a non-clastic sedimentary rock if it is dissolved in water. Then the dissolved minerals could come out of the water by evaporation or as a precipitate. And finally the evaporate residue or precipitate is compacted into rock.
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Fractures in rock: Joints: break in rock along which no movement has taken place
Faults: break in rock along which movement has taken place.
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Faults
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