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10 views2 pages

Class Test

Uploaded by

obert gwambu
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Department of Mining Engineering

Open Book Test – Rock Mechanics Maximum Marks: 50

Instructions

 This is an open-book test; you can refer to textbooks, class notes, and research
papers.
 Show all calculations and provide explanations for your answers.
 Apply engineering reasoning and practical knowledge rather than just copying
formulas.

Problem 1 [10 Marks]


A cylindrical specimen of sandstone of 50 mm diameter and 125 mm length, tested in uniaxial
compression gave the following results: Load failure = 100 k Longitudinal deformation up to 1.5
mm Assuming load deformation curve to be straight line right line up to failure, find uniaxial
compressive strength and the modulus of elasticity of the sandstone.

Problem 2 [5 Marks]
Explain in detail the importance of specific gravity and hardness in rock mechanic’s study.

Problem 3
During an underground excavation at a depth of 600 meters, the in-situ vertical stress is
estimated to be 16 MPa, and the horizontal stresses are 20 MPa and 12 MPa.
(a) Sketch a Mohr’s Circle for this stress state and determine the maximum shear stress
acting on the rock.
(b) Given that the cohesion of the rock is 5 MPa and the internal friction angle is 35°,
check whether the rock mass is likely to fail under these conditions using the Mohr-
Coulomb failure criterion.
(c) If failure is likely, suggest two practical engineering solutions to improve stability.

Problem 4
Explain the tri-axial strength test of rock sample with neat sketch. [10 Marks]

Problem 5 [25 Marks]

A 2.5 km-long underground hydropower tunnel is being excavated through a gneissic rock
formation at a depth of 500 meters. The excavation is performed using a drill-and-blast method,
and concerns have been raised regarding the stability of the tunnel walls and roof due to varying
rock mechanical properties.

Given Rock Properties:

 Density (ρ) = 2700 kg/m³


 Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) = 120 MPa
 Tensile Strength (σt) = 10 MPa
 Young’s Modulus (E) = 40 GPa
 Poisson’s Ratio (ν) = 0.28
 Cohesion (C) = 18 MPa
 Friction Angle (ϕ) = 35°
 Rock Mass Rating (RMR) = 48 (Fair rock)

The in-situ stress conditions are:

 Vertical stress (σv) = 12 MPa


 Maximum horizontal stress (σH) = 25 MPa
 Minimum horizontal stress (σh) = 8 MPa

During the excavation, rock spalling and minor roof falls are observed in some sections of the
tunnel. The engineering team is considering two support options:

1. Rock bolts with wire mesh and shotcrete (Active Support)


2. Steel ribs with fiber-reinforced concrete lining (Passive Support)

Tasks:

i. Evaluate the stability of the tunnel walls and roof using the given rock properties and in-
situ stress conditions. Calculate the Factor of Safety (FoS) for shear failure using the
Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion.
ii. Determine the likelihood of tensile failure by comparing the induced tensile stress against
the rock’s tensile strength.
iii. Compare and justify the suitability of the two proposed support systems in controlling the
observed failures.
iv. Propose an alternative support strategy (if needed) and explain why it might be more
effective in stabilizing the tunnel structure.

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