MINING 3076 - Geomechanics and Excavation Engineering

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

The course aims to provide students with a basic knowledge in rock mechanics, rock excavations, geotechnical risks and hazards assessments, dynamic events, instrumentation and monitoring, and rock supports in mining operations. The course also gives an introduction to numerical modelling for mining geomechanical problems.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MINING 3076
    Course Geomechanics and Excavation Engineering
    Coordinating Unit Mining and Petroleum Engineering
    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 Y
    Course Description The course aims to provide students with a basic knowledge in rock mechanics, rock excavations, geotechnical risks and hazards assessments, dynamic events, instrumentation and monitoring, and rock supports in mining operations. The course also gives an introduction to numerical modelling for mining geomechanical problems.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Murat Karakus

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    The purpose of the course is to introduce the students to methods of testing, analysis and design appropriate to rock masses. It is anticipated that on completion of the course the students will:
    1 Have a working knowledge of the engineering properties of rock
    2 Be able to select and use appropriate analytical and numerical methods for the design of underground structures and support systems
    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
    5 Explain the contribution of rock breakage to the mining process
    6 Describe the various methods of rock breakage
    7 Select appropriate methods of drilling and rock breakage for given in-situ rock conditions
    8 Apply fundamental principles to the design and selection of safe and efficient blasting to:
    1. Design blasts to achieve particular outcomes
    2. Manage and control blast damage and environmental impacts
    3. Evaluate productivity and economics

    The Course will contribute to the development of the following attributes:
    1 Appropriate technical knowledge
    2 Skills of analysis, synthesis and problem solution, and the ability to tolerate ambiguity
    3 Lifelong ability to learn

     
    The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Entry to Practice Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer. The course develops the following EA Elements of Competency to levels of introductory (A), intermediate (B), advanced (C):  
     
    1.11.21.31.41.51.62.12.22.32.43.13.23.33.43.53.6
    A A C B C C A C A A
    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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-8

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1-8

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    2,3,7,8

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1-8

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    4

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    4

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    1-8

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    4
  • Learning Resources
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course will be based on lectures, supported by take-home assignments and a program of laboratory practicals.
    Workload

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

    A total of 136 workload hours over 14 weeks (including 2 weeks swot) is approximately 10.5 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

    Please refer to the Rock Mechanics Laboratory Handout and also the Video Introduction to the Rock Mechanics Laboratory Exercises uploaded onto Canvas. It will be assumed that you have studied the handout and the video introduction prior to your arrival in the laboratory, so you will be given minimal instruction. Academic and technical staff will be on hand to assist and to answer any questions.

    The eight exercises in this program have been designed to provide an introduction to, and awareness of, basic measurements and test procedures in rock mechanics. The tests will be conducted in the Engineering Annex (LG09), Room NG31 and adjacent areas. Mechanical tests will be conducted on 42 mm diameter Hawkesbury Sandstone specimens.

    The class has been randomly divided into Groups of 3-5 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 Canvas. 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 program carries a weighting of 15% for the course. Group reports must be submitted through CANVAS by the deadline to be set by the course coordinator. 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.
  • 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

    In accordance with the Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy, Procedure 1a. i: An exemption from the stated requirement that group assessment activities total no more than 30% has been granted.

    Assessment Related Requirements
    In order to pass the course, students are required to attend the final exam and receive a minimum of 40% of the total mark from the final exam. Students who get marks less than 40% from the 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

    No information currently available.

    Submission
    Please submit electronic copy of your work via MyUni before 5.00 pm on the specified submission date unless otherwise instructed. 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 can be accessed on MyUni by students under the ‘Mining Geomechanics’ course folder.
    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.

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