The student will be able to define and obtain the main geomechanical properties of a rock material and of a rock mass as well. These elements contribute to understand the behavior of rock masses and materials: behaviour and technology are fundamental for the solution of the practical problems in the geoengineering field, aspect that is also developed in the course. The main competence for the student will therefore be related to stability assessment in the excavation engineering problems.

Basic knowledge of physics, mechanics and applied geology.

Fundamentals of elasticity in rock mechanics; stress and strain. Rock materials and rock masses. Geotechnical characterization in lab and in field. Strength criteria and behavior of rock materials. Geotechnical characterization of natural formations and behaviour of rock masses; geomechanical classifications. Design methods in rock engineering. Stereographic projections. Analyses of some basic geotechnical problems, such as the stability of underground excavation, surface excavation, application of limit equilibrium method, remedial works, mining problems, in order to focus and understand the theory. Monitoring issues for rock engineering. Classworks.

The course is based on lectures and worked examples during classworks. Recorded online seminars by eminent Authors are presented and commented. Some lab experience will be carried out in order to provide some ability in practical testing operations.

The presentations of the lessons are loaded on the website and they follow the program. Class notes taken directly during lessons are fundamental for the student. Reference textbooks are presented (and available in the DIATI library) for details. Among the others: Hoek E. Practical Rock Engineering, Rocscience; Brady B.H.G. Brown E.T. Rock Mechanics for Underground Mining.

Exam: Written test; Compulsory oral exam;

During the course two written tests will be carried out (half of the course and end of the course) aimed to student self verification (1,5+1,5 h); min score 18, max score 30. After a written part with solution of two exercises (60' minutes, max score 20), a final oral exam with 2 oral questions (30' minutes, max score 10) is regularly scheduled during the exam sessions; final score is the addition of previous described parts, min score 18, max score 30 (+L) . No didactical material is requested and allowed during the test. The ability to understand the interaction between natural and excavated structures and to solve basic analytic problems is evaluated for the exam. The exam is based on the didactical material loaded on the website and developed during the lectures. The evaluation of the student skills is based on the ability to understand the key points to solve practical and common geo - engineering problems presented during the exam.

In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.

Exam: Compulsory oral exam; Paper-based written test with video surveillance of the teaching staff;

The exam follows modes a) and b) as indicated by Politecnico for online exams. The exam is oral, with about 2 questions regarding all the program of the course. In addition there will be a written exercise, live, regarding the stress- strain analysis of rock materials, the limite equilibrium method and the geostructural projections. Timing about 60 min. Each part is contributing to the final score in the same proportion (final vote from 18/30 to 30/30 +L). Self verifications carried out during the course will help the students to understand the questions. No didactical material is requested and allowed during the test. The ability to understand the interaction between natural and excavated structures and to solve basic analytic problems is evaluated for the exam. The exam is based on the didactical material loaded on the website and developed during the lectures. The evaluation of the student skills is based on the ability to understand the key points to solve practical and common geo - engineering problems presented during the exam.

Exam: Written test; Compulsory oral exam; Paper-based written test with video surveillance of the teaching staff;

The exam follows modes a) and b) as indicated by Politecnico for online exams. The exam is oral, with about 2 questions regarding all the program of the course. In addition there will be a written exercise, live, regarding the stress- strain analysis of rock materials, the limite equilibrium method and the geostructural projections. Timing about 60 min. Each part is contributing to the final score in the same proportion (final vote from 18/30 to 30/30 +L). Self verifications carried out during the course will help the students to understand the questions. No didactical material is requested and allowed during the test. The ability to understand the interaction between natural and excavated structures and to solve basic analytic problems is evaluated for the exam. The exam is based on the didactical material loaded on the website and developed during the lessons. The evaluation of the student skills is based on the ability to understand the key points to solve practical and common geo - engineering problems presented during the exam. All types of exam procedures are equivalent each others.