Define rock mechanics.
The study of the behavior of rock materials under various conditions.
What does stress in rock mechanics refer to?
The internal resistance of a material to deformation.
True or false: Shear strength is the resistance to sliding along a plane.
TRUE
Fill in the blank: Elasticity is the ability of a rock to return to ______.
its original shape after deformation.
What is porosity in rock mechanics?
The measure of void spaces in a material, expressed as a percentage.
Define compressive strength.
The maximum compressive stress that a material can withstand before failure.
What is the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion?
A model that describes the response of materials to shear stress and normal stress.
True or false: Tensile strength is typically higher than compressive strength.
FALSE
Fill in the blank: The angle of internal friction is a measure of ______.
the resistance to sliding along a failure plane.
What does dilatancy refer to in rock mechanics?
The increase in volume of a material under shear stress.
Define unconfined compressive strength.
The maximum axial compressive stress a rock can withstand without lateral support.
What is hydraulic conductivity?
The ability of a rock to transmit water through its pores.
True or false: Brittle failure occurs without significant deformation.
TRUE
Fill in the blank: Plasticity refers to a material’s ability to ______.
deform permanently without breaking.
What is the elastic modulus?
A measure of a material’s stiffness or resistance to elastic deformation.
Define rock mass classification.
A system to categorize rock masses based on their mechanical properties and behavior.
What does creep mean in rock mechanics?
The slow, continuous deformation of rock under constant stress over time.
True or false: Jointing in rocks can affect their strength and stability.
TRUE
Fill in the blank: Confining pressure is the pressure applied to a rock in ______.
all directions.
What is slake durability?
A measure of a rock’s resistance to disintegration when subjected to water.
Define geomechanics.
The study of the mechanical behavior of geological materials.
What is the P-wave velocity?
The speed at which primary waves travel through a material.
True or false: Rock weathering can significantly alter rock properties.
TRUE
Fill in the blank: Fracture toughness measures a material’s ability to resist ______.
crack propagation.
