Soft Rock Mechanics and Engineering , 1st ed. 2020

This book offers a practical reference guide to soft rock mechanics for engineers and scientists. Written by recognized experts, it will benefit professionals, contractors, academics, researchers and students working on rock engineering projects in the fields of civil engineering, mining and construction engineering.

Soft Rock Mechanics and Engineering covers a specific subject of great relevance in Rock Mechanics ? and one that is directly connected to the design of geotechnical structures under difficult ground conditions. The book addresses practical issues related to the geomechanical properties of these types of rock masses and their characterization, while also discussing advances regarding in situ investigation, safety, and monitoring of geotechnical structures in soft rocks. Lastly, it presents important case histories involving tunnelling, dam foundations, coal and open pit mines and landslides.

1. Introduction

2. Geology of Soft Rocks

3. Engineering of Soft Rocks

4. Sandstones: Nature, Properties and Geomechanical Behavior

5. Shales and Mudstones of Soft Rocks – Properties and Characteristics

6. Evaporitic Rocks: Geomechanical characteristics

7. Laboratory Testing of Soft Rocks

8. Site Investigation of Soft Rock Masses

9. Correlation of Properties of Soft Rocks

10. Geomechanical Classifications of Soft Rock Masses

11. Deformation Mechanism of Soft Rocks

12. Large Deformation Supporting Strategy

13. Supporting System Failure and its Control

14. Nonlinear Large Deformation Mechanics Design

15. Soft Rocks Properties and Behavior in Coal Mines

16. Soft Rocks in Mining Open Pit Slope Stability

17. Degradation Processes in Civil Slopes in Soft Rocks

18. Soft Rocks Properties and Behavior in Oil Exploration,

19. Soft Rocks in Tunneling

20. Soft Rocks in Dam Foundations and Dam Sites

Prof. Dr. Milton Kanji is graduated as Geologist from University of São Paulo, Brazil (1960). He got his MSc degree in Engineering Geology and Geotechnics at the University of Illinois and his PhD in Rock Mechanics at the University of São Paulo; he also got the post-doctoral title “Livre Docente” on Earth Works at the Polytechnical School of the University of São Paulo, where he is Associate Professor at the Department of Structural Engineering and Geotechnics. He has worked with large engineering firms dedicated to geotechnical services and design. He was responsible for the basic design of the Itaipu main dam foundations, and the rock mechanics and engineering geology related to Água Vermelha and Jaguara dams, among others. He has been involved in more than 50 dam sites. He performed or coordinated the design of 6 important Petrobras tunnels for gas pipelines, through the Company Shaft Consultoria Ltda, of which was the Technical Director. Presently he works as an independent consultant, mainly involved with dam foundations, tunnels and slope stability. He has worked as expert witness in arbitrations by hydroelectric projects and tunnels, as an expert for insurance companies and loss adjusters. Is author of more than 100 technical papers and book chapters. As ISRM Fellow, former ISRM Vice-President for South America (1975-1979), he is presently Chairman of the Technical Commission of Soft Rocks.

 Prof. Dr. Manchao He is currently an Academician in Chinese Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering of Argentina, Professor at China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing (CUMTB) and Tongji University. He is also the Director of State Key Laboratory for Geomechanics and Deep Underground Engineering in Beijing, China. He is recognized as the leader of the Chinese Union for Mining Innovation (CUMI). And he is serving as Vice President of International Society for Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering (ISRM),

Discusses difficult ground conditions involving soft rocks from an interdisciplinary perspective;

Describes the classification and properties of soft rock masses;

Presents important case histories involving tunnelling, dam foundations, coal and open pit mines and landslides