CEG8213 : Applied Rock Engineering
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Colin Davie
- Lecturer: Professor Stefano Utili, Dr Jean Hall
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
1. to introduce students to geological hazards and the description of geological materials in relation to the extractive and construction industries.
2. to enable students to apply their knowledge to a practical problem
3. to introduce the concepts and principles underlying the stability of rock structures
4. to introduce the techniques for analysis, design and stabilisation of rock structures
Module Summary:
This module develops a student's knowledge of geomaterials, their form and existence in the context of engineering applications in the extractive and construction industries. The focus is on the characteristic properties and behaviours of geological materials (predominantly rocks) in material and in mass form. The implications for applications in construction and for materials as a resource are explored. Particular attention is paid to the analysis and design of engineered rock structures with applications in civil engineering, quarrying and open pit mining.
Outline Of Syllabus
* lectures and laboratory practicals on aggregates (hard rock and unconsolidated)
* lectures and laboratory practicals on material and engineering properties of rocks and rock masses
* lectures and tutorials on stability of rock slopes and remedial measures for various applications; rock support; stability and support of underground openings; design and analysis for civil, quarrying and mining applications
* lectures on excavation techniques, reserve estimation and geohazards in excavation
* Field mapping and description of rocks, soils and groundwater features, relating to past industrial activity
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 18 | 1:00 | 18:00 | Classroom Lecture Sessions |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 15 | 1:00 | 15:00 | Group Report - Coursework based on practicals and fieldwork |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 36 | 0:30 | 18:00 | Revision for exam |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Written exam |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 7:00 | 7:00 | Computer based practical to demonstrate the use of reserve estimation software |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 55:00 | 55:00 | Studying online resources that accompany taught sessions |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 40:00 | 40:00 | Background reading of course texts |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 3 | 3:00 | 9:00 | Lab activity Rock Testing (up to 3 times for 3 groups in a session- depending students No's) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Computer based practical to demonstrate the use of reserve estimation software |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Practice of practical skills |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Flipped tutorial sessions to support lecture material and tutorial exercises |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Field trip – rock mass classification |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 1 | 6:00 | 6:00 | Field trip -stability assessment, reserve estimation |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 8:00 | 8:00 | Practice of tutorial questions |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Guest Lectures |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The module is taught as an intensive block in order to provide an immersive learning experience with a flexible integration of lecture, tutorial and practical sessions. This format also allows part time and full time students and CPD delegates to attend. This is a module which focuses on practical applications. The module includes lectures to explain the theory, small group teaching activities to explain the practice and practicals to demonstrate laboratory techniques. Fieldwork is included to provide real-case examples of theory seen during the classroom sessions. It allows opportunities to practice skills and it relates directly to the assessment.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 1 | A | 50 | Unseen written examination |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 2 | M | 50 | Ward's Hill Field Exercise (2000 words or equivalent) |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 2 | M | Formative report and calculations. Set during module. Relates to mining component. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The exam addresses the learning outcomes relating to understanding the engineering properties and behaviour of rock, understanding and interpreting types of failures of rock structures, understanding techniques for stabilising rock structures, evaluating, analysing and designing for some types of failures in rock structures (before and after remediation). Particularly, it is designed to assess the individual student’s ability in analytical and mathematical methods.
The field exercise is intended to give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and understanding and technical skills to a practical example. Working in groups, students need to synthesise their knowledge and understanding to apply the correct combination of techniques in the context of the questions asked and the site
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CEG8213's Timetable