Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Civil Engineering School
Applications of rock mechanics; investigation of rock masses; in situ and laboratory testing of rocks, their applications and limitations, and their interpretation; rock mass classification systems; rock parameter assessment; rock support and excavation lining systems; and analytical and numerical analyses of rock masses, including example applications to rock slopes, underground excavations in rock, and rock support and excavation lining systems.
The Advanced Rock Mechanics course will apply your fundamental rock mechanics knowledge in practical applications including:
- Mapping and validation
- Slope stability in rockﾠmechanics
- Underground water
- Various tunnelling and mining techniques
- Tunnelling and miningﾠ– shallow and deep rock support
- Caverns in sedimentary rock
- Block caving
- Foundations on rock
- Brittle rock fracture and seismicity
- Shotcrete basics and monitoring
Course requirements
Assumed background
Assumed background is the content of course MINE3121 or CIVL3220.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
CIVL2210 and CIVL3210
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Guest lecturer
Adjunct Professor Harry Asche
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
All lectures, tutorials and practical will be given in the timetabled contact times and scheduled venues. PowerPoint slides of all of the presented course material and recordings made will be provided to enrolled students through Blackboard.ﾠAlso, contact hours will generally be one hour after lectures and tutorials. Outside these hours, appointments can be organised with the course coordinator via email.
Aims and outcomes
The aims of the course are to provide enrolled students with sufficient knowledge to:
- Enable them to plan and manage the investigation and testing of rocks and rock masses
- Interpret laboratory and in situ rock test data as applied
- Understandﾠthe development of projects leading to the design of Open Pit, Underground Mines and Urban Tunnels.
- Understand pavement design and its tests.
- Learn the Do's and Don'ts of site investigation, excavation performance and risk management through a series of Case Studies.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Develop and implement a plan for classifying, investigating, and testing intact rocks and rock masses.
LO2.
Analyse and interpret laboratory and in situ rock test data.
LO3.
Apply basic principles of project development for the design of open pits, underground mines, and urban tunnels.
LO4.
Select the appropriate testing procedures in pavement design, ensuring they can apply these concepts effectively in real-life scenarios.
LO5.
Use case studies to learn the Do's and Don'ts of site investigation, excavation performance, and risk management.
LO6.
Explain and define the critical assumptions for shotcrete design as a support system.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
In-class Quizes
|
10% |
Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Rock Testing Report
|
25% |
4/09/2024 4:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
IT Computing - Numerical Modelling
|
25% |
8/10/2024 4:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
In-class Quizes
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
Week 2,
Week 3,
Week 4,
Week 5,
Week 6,
Week 7,
Week 8,
Week 9,
Week 10,
Week 11,
Task description
In-class quizzes will assess students' learning progress on a weekly basis throughout the semester. Each quiz will contain questions related to the material covered in tutorials, lectures, and course content. The aim is to provide feedback on students' understanding of the key concepts that underpin the course and exam questions. Solutions and explanations for the quiz questions will be provided immediately after each quiz, with opportunities for further discussion during tutorials and contact sessions. Quizzes will be conducted during lectures each week from Week 2 to Week 11, and students need to complete the best 6 of 10 quizzes. Any changes to the quiz schedule will be announced at least one week in advance.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The format of in-class quizzes is multiple-choice and short answer questions, using online polling tools/virtual "clickers" on mobile phone, tablet or browser.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
There is no late submission or deferred assessment for in-class quizzes, and students need to complete the best 6 of 10 quizzes.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
There is no late submission or deferred assessment for in-class quizzes, which must be completed live in the scheduled lecture sessions. This cannot be done in a delayed lecture viewing timeslot.
Rock Testing Report
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
4/09/2024 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L05
Task description
Actual laboratory data will be provided to students with which they need to perform the analysis and complete their reports.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Online via the course Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
IT Computing - Numerical Modelling
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
8/10/2024 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04, L05
Task description
Students will conduct a numerical exercise reflecting the types of problems encountered in Underground Civil Excavation. The details of the assignment and the tasks associated with it will be discussed in the class and they will be provided to the students. The marks will be allocated according to the tasks as outlined in the assignments/projects. Students will be evaluated based on their ability to solve the given numerical problem and demonstrate comprehension of the underlying mechanics. In general, mark distribution is of the form assignment criteria and may vary depending upon the tasks in the assignments. The Rock Mechanics Numerical Modelling assignment is an individual work.
Notice: The Course Coordinator will provide instructions on the assignment on 26 August in-person - See Lecture #1 for details.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Online via the course Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
Task description
The final exam will include 30 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs = 20%) and two Problem-Solving Questions (PSQs = 20%), all of which should be attempted. Equations (without definitions or parameter descriptions) will be included in the exam paper, as required.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
To receive an overall grade of 4 or more, a student must achieve at least 40% on the final exam.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student fails to demonstrate any significant knowledge or understanding of the underlying concepts, and their application. Much of the information provided by the student is inaccurate or irrelevant. |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 44.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student fails to demonstrate sufficient knowledge or understanding of the underlying concepts, and their application. Some of the information provided by the student is inaccurate or irrelevant.. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The student falls short of satisfying the basic requirements of a Pass, being at least reasonably sound knowledge and at least partial understanding of the underlying concepts, and their application, and the provision by the student of at least some correct and relevant information. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates reasonably sound knowledge and at least partial understanding of the underlying concepts, and their application. Some correct and some incorrect information, and some relevant and irrelevant information, is provided by the student. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates sound knowledge and understanding of the underlying concepts, and their application. Information provided by the student is generally correct and relevant. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates very sound knowledge and understanding of the underlying concepts, and their application. Information provided by the students is essentially correct and relevant. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates excellent knowledge and understanding of the underlying concepts, and their application. There is evidence of critical analysis, and the information provided by the student is highly accurate and relevant. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Powerpoint presentations of all lectures with recordings will be made available to all enrolled students through Blackboard.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Lectures All lectures will be given in the timetabled lecture times. |
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Tutorials Tutorials will be given in the timetabled tutorial times, to support the lecture material and the practicals, as advised during the preceding lectures. |
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Information technology session |
IT Computing Rocscience software applications Learning outcomes: L04, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: