The course focuses on the characterization of rock as a basis for describing rock mass behaviour used in the planning and construction of underground excavations.

We illustrate some physical properties, deformation mechanisms, and define flow laws. We show the fundamental techniques for the measurement in laboratory of density, permeability, elastic properties and deformation. We presented actual case studies and discuss upscaling from laboratory to field.

In this course, students will gain hands-on experience performing laboratory and index tests commonly used in Rock and Soil Mechanics. The course is divided into two modules, with half the semester devoted to soil mechanics testing, and half to rock mechanics testing.