Skip to main content

Module

CEG8213 : Applied Rock Engineering

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Colin Davie
  • Lecturer: Dr Jean Hall, Professor Stefano Utili
  • Owning School: Engineering
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

1. to introduce students to geological hazards and the description of geological materials in relation to the extractive and construction industries.
2. to enable students to apply their knowledge to a practical problem
3. to introduce the concepts and principles underlying the stability of rock structures
4. to introduce the techniques for analysis, design and stabilisation of rock structures

Module Summary:

This module develops a student's knowledge of geomaterials, their form and existence in the context of engineering applications in the extractive and construction industries. The focus is on the characteristic properties and behaviours of geological materials (predominantly rocks) in material and in mass form. The implications for applications in construction and for materials as a resource are explored. Particular attention is paid to the analysis and design of engineered rock structures with applications in civil engineering, quarrying and open pit mining.

Outline Of Syllabus

* lectures and laboratory practicals on aggregates (hard rock and unconsolidated)
* lectures and laboratory practicals on material and engineering properties of rocks and rock masses
* lectures and tutorials on stability of rock slopes and remedial measures for various applications; rock support; stability and support of underground openings; design and analysis for civil, quarrying and mining applications
* lectures on excavation techniques, reserve estimation and geohazards in excavation
* Field mapping and description of rocks, soils and groundwater features, relating to past industrial activity

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion151:0015:00Group Report - Coursework based on practicals and fieldwork
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion360:3018:00Revision for exam
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion12:002:00Written exam
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture181:0018:00Classroom Lecture Sessions
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading140:0040:00Background reading of course texts
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical33:009:00Lab activity Rock Testing (up to 3 times for 3 groups in a session- depending students No's)
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical13:003:00Computer based practical to demonstrate the use of reserve estimation software
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical17:007:00Computer based practical to demonstrate the use of reserve estimation software
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading155:0055:00Studying online resources that accompany taught sessions
Guided Independent StudySkills practice12:002:00Practice of practical skills
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching111:0011:00Flipped tutorial sessions to support lecture material and tutorial exercises
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesFieldwork13:003:00Field trip – rock mass classification
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesFieldwork16:006:00Field trip -stability assessment, reserve estimation
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study18:008:00Practice of tutorial questions
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesModule talk13:003:00Guest Lectures
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The module is taught as an intensive block in order to provide an immersive learning experience with a flexible integration of lecture, tutorial and practical sessions. This format also allows part time and full time students and CPD delegates to attend. This is a module which focuses on practical applications. The module includes lectures to explain the theory, small group teaching activities to explain the practice and practicals to demonstrate laboratory techniques. Fieldwork is included to provide real-case examples of theory seen during the classroom sessions. It allows opportunities to practice skills and it relates directly to the assessment.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination1201A50Unseen written examination
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Report2M50Ward's Hill Field Exercise (2000 words or equivalent)
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Report2MFormative report and calculations. Set during module. Relates to mining component.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The exam addresses the learning outcomes relating to understanding the engineering properties and behaviour of rock, understanding and interpreting types of failures of rock structures, understanding techniques for stabilising rock structures, evaluating, analysing and designing for some types of failures in rock structures (before and after remediation). Particularly, it is designed to assess the individual student’s ability in analytical and mathematical methods.

The field exercise is intended to give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and understanding and technical skills to a practical example. Working in groups, students need to synthesise their knowledge and understanding to apply the correct combination of techniques in the context of the questions asked and the site

Reading Lists

Timetable