Rock Mechanics : An Introduction

An understanding of rock mechanics is fundamental to a number of civil engineering applications, including tunneling, foundation engineering, slope stabilization, and mining. Covering the principles of rock mechanics in a simple, accessible manner for those with little or no background, this book is the ideal introduction to the subject. Outlining the basis of rock mechanics and the relevant aspects of engineering geology, this text is an excellent starting point for advanced undergraduates and graduate students focusing on geotechnical, geological, and civil engineering.

Rock mechanics is a multidisciplinary subject combining geology, geophysics, and engineering and applying the principles of mechanics to study the engineering behavior of the rock mass. With wide application, a solid grasp of this topic is invaluable to anyone studying or working in civil, mining, petroleum, and geological engineering. Rock Mechanics: An Introduction presents the fundamental principles of rock mechanics in a clear, easy-to-comprehend manner for readers with little or no background in this field.

The text includes a brief introduction to geology and covers stereographic projections, laboratory testing, strength and deformation of rock masses, slope stability, foundations, and more. The authors—academics who have written several books in geotechnical engineering—have used their extensive teaching experience to create this accessible textbook. They present complex material in a lucid and simple way with numerical examples to illustrate the concepts, providing an introductory book that can be used as a textbook in civil and geological engineering programs and as a general reference book for professional engineers.