Excavation and Geomechanics - 2019 entry

In order to create an excavation, both surface and underground, it is important to understand the engineering characteristics of the material being excavated. The module provides an insight into excavation processes and how rock mass quality influences excavation methods, equipment selection, product technology and post-excavation stability. The module provides fundamental understanding of rock mechanics and soil mechanics principles related to excavation. The module provides a review of appropriate excavation techniques including selection of appropriate mining methods. The module also provides fundamental geotechnical knowledge that is a pre-requisite for subsequent design-related modules. The module is not recommended for interdisciplinary pathways.

The module provides an understanding of the mechanics of rock and soil behaviour and its influence on excavation behavior, design and, importantly, stability. The module provides pre-requisite material for all subsequent geotechnical-related modules. It provides basic knowledge for assessment of material properties, evaluation of rock failure criteria and an awareness of their impact on design or use of materials. Where appropriate, case history information is used to emphasize important aspects associated with data variability and its influence on design.

Laboratory and field-based mapping exercises are used to emphasize and consolidate key aspects of how rock mass quality will affect excavation stability and use of potential stabilisation methods.

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1.   Appraise and assess the methods, roles and limitations of laboratory and field measurements for engineering design;

2.   Visualise and critically analyse discontinuity data using stereograms;

3.   Perform rock mass mapping and critically apply empirical design methodology.

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

4.   Evaluate and apply knowledge to specific design tasks;

5.   Choose appropriate design from critical evaluation of available data.

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and  Knowledge:

6.   Apply personal data-handling skills through critical evaluation of a design problem and produce, to a strict deadline, detailed recommendations/reasoned arguments for an appropriate solution;

7.   Utilise a full range of computer-based learning resources as an autonomous learner.

The syllabus consists of three main areas: rock mechanics, soil mechanics and mining methods.


Gomechanics: rock mass classification, laboratory and field test methods, strength and deformation of geological materials (including uniaxial, triaxial and tensile strength; point load index: Schmidt rebound hardness; rock failure criteria), rock mass strength, discontinuity shear strength, impact of groundwater flow. Introduction to factors influencing design of excavations including in-situ stress, stresses induced by excavation and structural controls on stability. Rock mass mapping and use of stereonets for visualization of discontinuity orientation data.


Mining Methods: Surface mining, underground mining, mining methods infrastructure, feasibility studies and production.

The re-assessment coursework would take the form of a single summative assessment.

Basic reading: 

The books listed in the reading list are available as e-books through University of Exeter Library

Web based and additional electronic resources as advised:

Hoek's Corner –  http://www.rockeng.utoronto.ca/roc/Hoek/Hoek.htm

Reading list for this module: