Diploma in Rock Mechanics

The Diploma in Rock Mechanics will give you theoretical and practical knowledge related to the study of rock mass and discontinuities, with the objective of knowing the behavior of stresses and the deformations when carrying out underground and/or surface excavations.

At the end of this Diploma,the participant will understand the phenomena that affect rock masses and will have the ability to make recommendations to maintain the stability of the excavations carried out.

Knowledge will be reinforced through workshops applying specialized software.
This Diploma is aimed at professionals in the mining, construction and energy sectors.

► Module 1: Fundamentals of Rock Mechanics

* Introduction
* Geological setting
* intact rock
* Discontinuities
* rock mass
* Stresses in situ and induced
* Deformations
* Anisotropy and homogeneity
* Geomechanical classifications
* Application workshops

► Module 2: Analysis and processing of laboratory test of Rock Mechanics

* Introduction
- ASTM standards vs ISRM procedures
- Field vs laboratory tests
- Basic vs special essays
- Destructive vs non-destructive tests
- Rock tests vs discontinuity
* Reception, handling and preparation of rock samples
* Determination of intact rock index properties
- Specific weight
- Absorption
- Porosity
- Density
* Resistance tests on intact rock
- Direct: Simple compressive strength (UCS)
- Indirect: Point Load Test (PLT)
- Resistance to triaxial compression of rocks (TX)
- Indirect tensile strength of rocks (Brazilian Method)
* Shear resistance on discontinuity surfaces
- Natural vs simulated discontinuity
* Test for determination of elastic constants
- Young's modulus
- Poisson's Ratio
* Durability tests
* Permeability tests
* Sonic wave velocity tests
* Acoustic emission tests
* Examples and exercises

► Module 3: Analysis of stability in underground excavations

* Introduction
- Failure mechanisms in rock mechanics
- Failure mechanisms in surface vs. underground mining
- Structurally controlled and gravity triggered mechanisms
- Mechanisms controlled by the global resistance of the RM and triggered by the concentration of induced efforts
* Structurally controlled underground analysis
- Tetrahedral wedges: Stereography & interpretation
- Shear strength properties of discontinuities
- Mohr – Coulomb (M-C) linear failure criterion
- Barton – Bandis (B-B) nonlinear failure criterion
* Calculation of the factor of safety (FoS) of unstable cradle-type blocks
- Interpretation of results
* Calculation of probability of failure (PoF) of cradle-type unstable blocks
- Interpretation of results
* Tenso Analysis - deformation for underground excavations
- Global strength properties of the jointed rock mass
- Generalized Hoek – Brown nonlinear failure criterion (H-B-G)
- Parameters of resistance (c – Φ) and deformability (E – ν)
* In-Situ forces vs. induced forces
* In situ stress field measurement tests
- Measurements in the field and/or terrain
- Equations and/or empirical correlations
* Definition of the field of efforts In Situ: Sigma 1 – Sigma 2 – Sigma 3
- Types of constant and/or gravitational stress field
* Calculation of the resistance factor (SF) in underground excavations
- Use and abuse
- Interpretation of results
* Elastic analysis vs plastic analysis in underground excavations
- Interpretation of results
* Examples and exercises: Software Dips/Unwedge/RS2/RS3

► Module 4: Analysis of stability in surface excavations

* Introduction
- Failure mechanisms in rock mechanics
- Failure mechanisms in surface vs. underground mining
- Structurally controlled mechanisms
- Mechanisms controlled by the global resistance of the MR
- Evaluation of the stability of slopes in mining
* Structurally controlled analysis on slopes
- Planar faults, cradles and rollovers: Stereography and interpretation
- Shear strength properties of discontinuities
- Mohr – Coulomb (M-C) linear failure criterion
- Barton – Bandis (B-B) nonlinear failure criterion
* Calculation of the factor of safety (FoS) of unstable blocks
- Interpretation of results
* Calculation of the probability of failure (PoF) of unstable blocks
- Interpretation of results
* Stress analysis - deformation for superficial excavations
- Global strength properties of the jointed rock mass
- Generalized Hoek – Brown nonlinear failure criterion (H-B-G)
- Parameters of resistance (c – Φ) and deformability (E – ν)
- Cutting resistance reduction method
- Calculation of the resistance reduction factor (SRF)
* In-Situ forces vs. induced forces
- Types of constant and/or gravitational stress field
* Comparison of results
- Strength Reduction Factor (SRF) from FEM
- Safety factor (FS) - Static/Pseudo-Static- from LEM
* Plastic analysis in superficial excavations
- Interpretation of results
* Examples and exercises: Software Dips/Swedge/Slide2D/Slide3D/RS2/RS3

► Module 5: Numerical Methods applied to Rock Mechanics

* A brief introduction
* Why model numerically?
* A simple math review
* Constitutive models
* 2D numerical modeling (geometric idealizations)
* 3D numerical modeling
* Conventional numerical methods
* Continuous methods
* Finite Element Method (FEM)
* The Finite Difference Method (FDM)
* The Boundary Element Method (BEM)
* Discontinuous methods
* The discrete/Distinct Element (DEM) method
* Discrete Fracture Network (DFN)
* Hybrid numerical methods
* FEM/BEM method
* DEM/BEM method
* FEM/DEM method
* Examples – Case Studies

► Module 6: Applied Rock Mechanics

* Geomechanical characterization of rock massifs: Mapping & Logging
- Examples and exercises
* Laboratory test processing: Strength and deformability properties
- Examples and exercises
* Stability analysis of superficial excavations
- Examples and exercises
* Analysis of stability of underground excavations
- Examples and exercises
* Final comments: Present & future rock mechanics

► Module 7: Use of software in rock mechanics

* Kinematic analysis of slopes and underground excavations in Dips software
* Planar fault stability analysis with RocPlane
* Crib failure stability analysis with Swedge and Unwedge
* Stability analysis of circular failures with Slide / Slope / Flac
* Stability analysis of underground excavations with RS2 and RS3
* Examples and exercises
* Geotechnical/geomechanical analysis, modeling and design

► Module 8: Thesis Project

1. When does the Diploma start?
Answer:
The diploma does not have a start date, since it is developed in the virtual offline mode. You can start at any time, depending on your time availability. Likewise, the development of the diploma is individual, it is not required that there be a number of participants for the diploma to start.

2. Is there a specific start date or can I access it whenever I want, once the amounts have been paid?
Answer:
You can start the diploma course immediately, if you request it. The activation of the same is carried out in a time not exceeding two business days.

3. I see that in the diploma course you use some softwares. Do you facilitate the softwares? If I don't have any software, Phase2 for example, do you provide any facility to get them?
Answer:
We do not grant the software that will be used in the workshops because it is copyrighted by the Rocscience firm. We have a module on the virtual campus which will give you access to request a temporary license from the firm Rocscience. Rocscience on average takes 24 hours to send you the download links and you will be able to use it for about 15 days. The programs with a temporary license are complete and there are no limitations in their functions and they allow you to record the cases that you develop in them.

4. If one of the softwares is new to me, in the content of the diploma do you teach its management?
Answer:
Yes. Software is applied in all Diploma modules. It starts at the basic level and progresses to advanced levels. There is the possibility of developing cases raised by students.

5.- Is the modality that you apply 100% virtual? In my case, I am in Costa Rica.
Answer:
Yes, it will be developed on a virtual platform from which the teacher and students will connect to the class, only with a computer and the Internet you will be able to participate. The diploma is available in all countries.

6.- I have taken virtual courses and diplomas in other institutions and I have bad experiences (my questions were never answered, I did not have the support of the tutor, I had problems accessing the virtual campus, among others). Why should you trust the International Geotechnical Center?
Answer:
We are sorry for the bad experience you had. One of the pillars of success of our institution is that it is directed by specialists in Geomechanics and Geotechnics (and this is vital to differentiate ourselves from the competition). The aforementioned guarantees us to know our clients and their needs (specialized curriculum, atypical work rhythm, remote location in some cases, others). This is why the International Geotechnical Center has developed training programs that meet the needs of professionals. The hundreds of clients who have trusted us attest to this.

7.- I am a technician with experience in Geomechanics. Can I participate in the diploma course?
Answer:
Yes. Technicians, university students, engineers, masters, doctors, post-doctors and the general public related to the professional field can participate in the diploma.

8. I reside in Argentina. I would like to know if the certificates and diploma of the diploma are valid in my country.
Answer:
Our diploma course does not grant you a degree unlike a professional career or another. Its objective is to specialize in Geomechanics and Geotechnics. If required by the employer or other institution, to verify that you have taken a course, program or diploma with us, we have a verification system. Each certificate and diploma has a unique identification code.

9. Do you indicate in the certificate the virtual modality and who certifies?
Answer:
The certificates do not indicate the virtual modality of the diploma. Certificates and diplomas are issued by the International Geotechnical Center.

10. Are there discounts for registering multiple people? We are three engineers from a company in Colombia.
Answer:
We do have discounts. You can check our special group prices.

11. I am currently unemployed. Are there special prices for these cases?
Answer:
CGI's policy is always to support all of our clients. We have cash and parts payment facilities. Contact us at: information@centrogeotecnico.com

12. I have never been trained virtually. Will it be difficult to train?
Answer:
It is not difficult to train. The platform to be used is very intuitive and easy to use, in addition, you will have an advisor who will guide you in case your access is complicated.

DIPLOMA INTERNATIONAL IN ROCK MECHANICS