Mechanics of Earth Materials
Stress and Strain
Time Scales
Outline
Engineers need to not only have a basic understanding of the physical, chemical
and mineralogical characteristics of rocks iand soils but also their response to applied loads
, the flow of fluids and other environmental stresses. The mechanical
behaviour of rocks and soils and their fluid flow characteristics as porous
media are the areas of expertise of geological engineers.
The materials in geological engineering are rocks and soils. At the surface,
projects include:
- Foundations
- Highways and Railroads
- Dams and Reservoirs
- Slopes and Landslides
In the subsurface, projects in which the mechanical properties of rocks are important include the construction of:
- Mine Shafts, Levels, Raises and Adits
- Tunnels
- Storage Caverns
- Disposal Chambers
Fluids exert a very strong influence on the mechanical behaviour of rocks and soils. In addition the movement of fluids controls the location of:
- Mineral Deposits
- Hydrocarbons
- Groundwater Contaminants
Stress and Strain
Time Scales
Outline
(c) Department of Civil and Geological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan,
57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, S7N 5A9