MINING 3072 - Mining Geomechanics

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2017

This course aims to provide students with the basic knowledge required to undertake geomechanical investigations and design tasks. The course consists of two main modules. 1) Deformable Materials, which covers basics of materials behaviour; stress-strain, failure criteria, stress and strain tensors. 2) Rock Mechanics including rock material and rock mass behaviours, rock mass strength and deformability, strength of discontinuities, basic rock testing, rock mass classification systems, response of rock mass to underground excavation, stress measurement, time dependant and dynamic behaviour of rocks and rock slope stability (optional).

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MINING 3072
    Course Mining Geomechanics
    Coordinating Unit School of Civil, Environmental & Mining Eng
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Assumed Knowledge C&ENVENG 1010, GEOLOGY 1104 & C&ENVENG 2025
    Course Description This course aims to provide students with the basic knowledge required to undertake geomechanical investigations and design tasks. The course consists of two main modules. 1) Deformable Materials, which covers basics of materials behaviour; stress-strain, failure criteria, stress and strain tensors. 2) Rock Mechanics including rock material and rock mass behaviours, rock mass strength and deformability, strength of discontinuities, basic rock testing, rock mass classification systems, response of rock mass to underground excavation, stress measurement, time dependant and dynamic behaviour of rocks and rock slope stability (optional).
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Murat Karakus

    Dr. Murat Karakus (Course Coordinator)

    http://www.adelaide.edu.au/directory/murat.karakus
    http://mea.edu.au/Content/about/mea-staff/dr-murat-karakus/

     
    Engineering North, Room N151
    School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering
    The University of Adelaide

    murat.karakus@adelaide.edu.au

    Tel: (08) 8313 6471
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

     
    1 have a working knowledge of the engineering properties of rock
    2 be able to select and use appropriate methods for the design of rock slopes
    3 have the necessary grounding in rock mechanics to embark upon a study of the principles of rock engineering
    4 recognise the evolving nature of the discipline and develop skills to access, evaluate and integrate new knowledge and processes

     
    The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer.
    The course is designed to develop the following Elements of Competency: 1.1   1.2   1.3   1.4   1.5   1.6   2.1   2.2   2.3   2.4   3.1   3.2   3.3   3.4   3.5   3.6   

    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2,3,4
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1,2,3,4
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    3,4
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1,2,3,4
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    4
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Lecture material and related spreadsheets will be made available to students in printed form, on MyUni and via email.

    Recommended Resources
    The recommended textbook is B H G Brady and E T Brown, Rock Mechanics for Underground Mining, Wiley.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course will be based on lectures, supported by take-home assignments and a programme of laboratory practicals.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements. Please note that the workload calculated here are only approximate figures.
     
    Learning activity Estimated hours per activity Number of activities Total hours of workload
    Lectures  1 36 36
    Assignments  3* 5 15
    Tests  2 2 4
    Laboratory practicals  1.5 2 3
    Laboratory practicals preparation and write up  3* 8 24
    Revision for tests and examination  3* 12* 36
    Examination  2 1 2
    Total   120
    * These values will, of course, vary substantially from student to student.
    A total of 120 workload hours over 14 weeks (including 2 weeks swot) is approximately 8 hours per week. Students who commit this time can be expected to obtain a Pass or Credit for this Course. Students who wish to secure a Distinction or Higher Distinction will need to commit additional hours.
    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

    Specific Course Requirements
    Laboratory exercises

    The eight exercises in this programme have been designed to provide an introduction to, and an awareness of, basic measurements and test procedures in rock mechanics.  The tests will be conducted in the Engineering Annex (LG09) and adjacent areas.  Mechanical tests will be conducted on 42 mm diameter Hawkesbury Sandstone specimens.

    The Class has been randomly divided into Groups of 3-4 students.  Each Group will work separately through the eight exercises.  Each Group will test only one specimen in each of the destructive tests (1, 2, 4a and 4b) then share their results with the Class after two weeks of completion of the tests.  Please use the template table provided on MyUni. If one of your destructive tests is unsuccessful, describe what happened in your report, then use the results obtained by another Group.  Each Group will attend the laboratory on two occasions: Once to undertake tests 1, 2 and 3 and once to undertake tests 4, 5, 6 and 7.

    Your Group has limited time to conduct these tests so it is imperative that you are well prepared and arrive on time.  You will not have time to read through the laboratory handout during the laboratory session, so it is important you study this handout and also the video introduction prior to your session.  When you arrive in the laboratory, sign in, locate your test equipment and specimens then start preliminary measurements immediately.  Technical staff will be on hand to show you how to operate the mechanical test equipment.

    Sign out as you leave the laboratory.  If you do not sign in and sign out we will assume you have not attended the session.  If you are unable to attend your scheduled laboratory session due to illness or other unavoidable factors and are able to submit a doctor’s certificate, join another group and undertake the exercises at another time.  Alternatively make arrangements with the lecturer to attend during one of the spare sessions.

    This laboratory programme carries a weighting of 15% for the course.  Individual reports (not Group reports) must be handed in by 4.00 pm Friday 3rd June 2016. These laboratory exercises are a compulsory component of the course. Students who do not attend the laboratory sessions and/or do not hand in a laboratory report will fail the course. Students who do not attend the laboratory sessions (or do not sign in and out), but do hand in a laboratory report based on results obtained by other students, will fail the course.
    Test number Description Approximate duration, minutes Equipment in Engineering Annex (LG09) unless otherwise stated
    1  Uniaxial Compression Test 15 Seidner compression testing machine
    2  Triaxial Test 30 Seidner compression testing machine
    3  Deformation Test. Demonstration 15 MTS compression testing machine
    4a and 4b   (a) Point Load Test and (b) Brazilian Disc Test 15 Point Load tester
    5  Sonic Velocity Test 15 PUNDIT 7
    6  Sonic Velocity Test 15 Wooden block model and compass
    7  Core Logging 10 Core boxes
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Weighting (%) Individual/ Group Formative/ Summative
    Due (week)*
    Hurdle criteria Learning outcomes
    4 Assignments 25 Individual Summative Weeks 2-12 1. 2. 3.
    2 Quizzes 20 Individual Summative Week 4-6 2. 3.
    1 Lab report 15 Group Summative Week 12 1. 2. 4.
    3 Online Quizzes 0 Individual Formative Weeks2-12 1. 2. 3.
    Final Exam 40 Individual Summative Exam Week Min 40% 1. 2. 3. 4.
    Total 100
    * The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.
     
    This assessment breakdown complies with the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.
     
    This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.
    Assessment Related Requirements
    In order to pass the course, students are required to attend final exam and receive minimum 40% of the total mark from final exam. Students who get marks less than 40% from final exam will fail the course.

    The laboratory exercises are a compulsory component of the course.  Students who do not attend the laboratory sessions and/or do not hand in a laboratory report will fail the course.  Students who do not attend the laboratory sessions (or do not sign in and out), but do hand in a laboratory report based on results obtained by other students will fail the course.
    Assessment Detail

    The two 60-minute tests/quizzes for Deformable Materials will be full open book. Student answers will be submitted in the form of handwritten into an examination booklet. Student can bring their hand calculator. Any other electronic devices are NOT allowed.

    The 2-hour closed book examination covering the Rock Mechanics modules will be held during the normal University examination period.

    Assignments are to be submitted for marking by the specified deadline, which will be about 10 days after the assignment is set.

    Marked assignments will be returned together with outline answers, about two weeks after the submission date. Outline answers will be emailed to students in electronic form. No marks will be awarded for work submitted after the submission time and date. Relatively few brief comments will be written on the student assignments; instead, general comments will be emailed to the class. Any student who needs further clarification or explanation of an assignment (or indeed any other topic) can raise the matter in class, or alternatively make an appointment to meet with the course lecturer. The following approximate schedule will apply for the assignments. These dates are subject to change as requirements demand:

    Assignment

    Topic

    Set by email

    Submission, before 5.00 pm

    Min Geo 1

    Deformable Materials

    11 March

    21 March

    Min Geo 2

    Deformable Materials

    24 March

    04 April

    Min Geo 3

    Numerical Modelling

    08 April

    29 April

    Min Geo 4

    Rock mechanics

    02 May

    12 May

    Min Geo 5

    Rock mechanics

    16 May

    26 May

    Submission
    Please use the standard School cover sheet, which can be found at:
    http://www.ecms.adelaide.edu.au/civeng/students/docs/assessment_cover_sheet.pdf

    Please post your submissions into the ‘Mining Geomechanics’ box outside the School Office before 5.00 pm on the specified submission date. Work submitted after the submission time and date will be returned unmarked and will be assigned zero marks, unless a doctor’s certificate is presented. Marked assignments will be returned at a suitable lecture. Assignments that have not been collected by students will be available for collection from the box marked ‘Mining Geomechanics’ in room N135d.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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