EXAMINATION PAPER

SUBJECT: EXAMINER:

ROCK MACHANICS CERTIFICATE JA MARITZ

PART 1: THEORY
MODERATOR:
SUBJECT CODE:
M HANDLEY
COMRMC1
TOTAL MARKS: 100
EXAMINATION DATE:
OCTOBER 2012 PASS MARK: 60%

TIME:3 Hours

NUMBER OF PAGES:14 (including Cover and Formulae Sheets)

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Answer Questions 1 to 5.
2. Answer EITHER Question 6 or Question 7. If both 6 and 7 are answered, NO MARKS
WILL BE GIVEN TO EITHER ONE.
3. Remove Question 1 from the paper and submit with your answer book. Remember to
write your ID Number on the space provided.
4. Question 1 will be marked negative. Wrong answer will be allocated a -1 mark and a
correct answer +1.
5. Start each question on a new page.
6. References other than those provided are not permitted.
7. Hand-held electronic calculators may be used.
8. Write your examination number on the outside cover of each book used and on any
graph paper or other loose sheets handed in.
NB: your name must not appear on any answer book or loose sheets.
9. Write in ink on the RIGHT HAND SIDE of the paper only (only the right hand pages
will be marked).
10. Show all calculations on which your answers are based.
11. Illustrate your answers by sketches or diagrams wherever possible.
12. In answering these questions, full advantage should be taken wherever necessary of your
practical experience as well as of the data given.
13. Answers must be given to an accuracy that is typical of practical conditions.

Page 1 of 14
QUESTION 1 – MULTI CHOICE (SUBMIT WITH EXAM BOOK) (10)

ID:
Sin A
1.1 For the trigonometry notations, which of the following
Cos B
would be positive in the fourth Quadrant?
Tan C

Elastic A
1.2 Permanent deformation will not occur in which region Plastic B
along a Stress vs. Strain curve? Strain hardening C
Strain softening D

1.3 A 100 kN force is acting on 2 surfaces. The first Square surface A

surface is square with sides 10cm and the second
circular with radius 5cm. W hich one experiences the
highest stress? Circular surface B

-3
15 x 10 Pa A
3
1500 x 10 Pa B
1.4 15 MPa expressed as Pa 6
1.5 x 10 Pa C
4
150 x 10 Pa D

Griffith A
1.5 Which failure model is presented by Coulomb B
F s = C o + F n Hoek-Brown C
Stacey D

Joint roughness A
1.6 Which of the following does not influence joint Water B
strength? Joint length C
Joint friction angle D

Heim’s Rule A
1.7 At 1500 m below surface, which theory would result in Rigid Confinement B
the highest horizontal stress? Hooke’s Law C
Young’s Modulus D

P wave velocity A
1.8 What is measured by the acoustic emission (AE) Sound waves B
method In-situ stress C
Radiation D

Decrease linearly A
1.9 As the volume of the sample increases, the strength Decrease exponentially B
... Increase linearly C
Increase exponentially D

1.10 The MRMR value was 72. After adjustments of 90% 75.6 A
(weathering), 70% (joint orientation), 100% (mining 27.3 B
induced stresses) and 94% (blasting), the adjusted 121.6 C
MRMR is 42.6 D

Page 2 of 14
QUESTION 2 – STRESS AND STRAIN (20)

2.1 A 0-60-120 strain rosette was used to determine the in-situ stresses around a particular

excavation. If the recorded strains are  0 =2.8x10 -4 ,  60 = 1.2x10 -4 and  120 =1.8x10 -4 ,
use the following equations to...

 1,2 = ( 0 + 60 + 120 )/3  (2/3) [ 0 2 + 60 2+ 120 2 -( 0  60 + 60  120 + 120  0 )]

tan 2 = (3) ( 60 -  120 ) / (2 0 -  60 -  120 )
Assume: Axis where X is horizontal (+ to the right) and Y vertical (+ upwards) with Z in
the direction looking down the hole.
All data has been corrected for borehole end -effect

2.1.1 Calculate the magnitude and direction of the principle strains. [5]

2.1.2 Given a Young’s Modulus of 70 GPa and Poisson’s Ratio of 0.2, determine the
magnitude of the principle stresses from the strain values obtained in 2.1 above.
[2]

2.1.3 Calculate the normal and shear stresses acting on a 71° dipping fault for the
calculated conditions. Looking in the direction of the hole, the fault is dipping
from left to right. [5]

2.2 Name and sketch the commonly known three (3) beams as encountered by Rock
Engineers in the underground environment [6]

2.3 In all three beams, the stress (tensile and compressive) and maximum deflection are
driven by the length and thickness of the beam. Comment on the increase in both
these parameters (tensile and compressive stress) given a doubling on the length from
2m to 4m of a cantilever beam. Also comment on in the influence this would have on
the management of the local stability [2]

Stress =

Deflection =

Page 3 of 14
QUESTION 3 – CONSTITUTION RELATIONSHIPS (20)

3.1 Sketch and discuss the difference between Ductile and Brittle behaviour. [6]

3.2 Tests were conducted on the in-situ stress at a working place as listed below.
Assuming a plane stress condition on the XY plane, calculate the normal strains on
this plane. [3]
 xx = 60 MPa
 yy = 42 MPa
E = 55 GPa
 = 0.2

3.3 Define the following: [5]

3.3.1 Strain energy. (2)

3.3.2 Dilation. (1)

3.3.3 Dilatation. (1)

3.3.4 Creep. (1)

3.4 A 2t granite block (Relative density of 2.9) is subjected to the following stress
environment. (  1 = 82 MPa,  2 = 41 MPa,  3 = 39 MPa). Assuming a Young’s Modulus
of 70 GPa and  of 0.25, calculate the strain energy within the block. [6]

Page 4 of 14
QUESTION 4 – ROCK PROPERTIES (20)

4.1 When a rock sample is subjected to uniaxial compression, failure could occur.
Describe and explain the possible modes of failure. [8]

4.2 If presented with the following graph, write a short paragraph, including sketches, on
how you would explain this to the rookie Geologist helping you with testing of samples
for their compressive strength. [2]

4.3 You are preparing to setup a numerical model in order to test stability of a geological
discontinuity in close proximity of a current high grade stoping face. What failure
criteria (include formulae) would you base your findings on and what parameters
(calculated values) would you retrieve from the model? (4)

4.4 The feature as modelled in 4.3 was found to have water present. How would this effect
the strength? (2)

Page 5 of 14
4.5 Five cylindrical samples of rock are tested in compression in a rock testing machine
under tri-axial loading conditions with the results presented below.

Confining stress (MPa) Peak strength (MPa)

5 228

10 264

15 300

20 315

If one of the samples had Hoek-Brown m and s values of 15 and 1.0 respectively, what
would the peak strength be if the confinement were 20 MPa given a UCS of 200 MPa?
Comment on the comparison with the test results? (4)

Page 6 of 14
QUESTION 5 – STRESS IN ROCK & ROCKMASSES (20)

5.1 According to Heim’s Rule, for a rockmass with a density of 2750 kg/m 3 at 1500 m below
surface, would have a vertical stress of 41.25 MPa. Rigid Confinement would estim ate
the horizontal stress to be 10.31 MPa for a mass with Poisson’s ratio of 0.2. How
could it be that in-situ stress measurements seldom yield the same values? [3]

5.2 Two strain gauge rosette configurations are generally used in practice. Sketch the two
configurations and comment on how the instrument functions in measuring in-situ
stress levels.

Note: Do not comment on the method of over coring; discuss the actual working
of the strain gauge. [5]

5.3 The Kirsch equation to determine tangential and radial stresses on a circular
excavation are a popular method to estimate failure points. Provide the sketch and
equation for calculating the resultant for  and rr at the centre of the middling for two
identical sized horizontal bored tunnels? Assume =0° is horizontal. [10]

5.4 What would be the value of  in the following two scenarios when used in the Kirsch
equation for calculating the respective stresses in the hanging wall? [2]

Page 7 of 14
QUESTION 6 – ROCKMASS PROPERTIES (10)

6.1 Name and briefly discuss five factors that influence the strength of a rock mass. [10]

OR

QUESTION 7 – FAILURE CRITERIA (10)

7.1 Identify, describe and explain the limitations of the Hoek and Brown criterion. [10]

- END -

Page 8 of 14
 nn   xx cos 2   2 xy sin  cos    yy sin 2   xx'   xx cos 2   2 xy sin  cos    yy sin 2 
 mm   xx sin 2   2 xy sin  cos   yy cos 2   yy'   xx sin 2   2 xy sin  cos   yy cos 2 
1 1
 nm  ( yy   xx ) sin 2   xy cos 2  xy'  ( yy   xx ) sin 2   xy cos 2
2 2
2 xy
tan 2   1   2   xx   yy
 xx   yy
1 1
 1  ( xx   yy )  ( xx   yy ) 2  4 xy2  xx'   yy'   xx   yy
2 2
1 1 1
 2  ( xx   yy )  ( xx   yy ) 2  4 xy2  max  ( xx   yy ) 2  4 xy2
2 2 2
1
 nn   1 cos 2    2 sin 2   max  ( 1   2 )
2
 mm   1 sin    2 cos 
2 2

1 1 1
 nn  ( 1   2 )  ( 1   2 ) cos 2  nm   ( 1   2 ) sin 2
2 2 2
1 1
 mm  ( 1   2 )  ( 1   2 ) cos 2
2 2
 xy   yx  2 xy  2 yx ,  yz   zy  2 yz  2 zy ,  zx   xz  2 zx  2 xz
 n   xx cos 2    xy sin  cos   yy sin 2   xx'   xx cos 2    xy sin  cos   yy sin 2 
 nm  ( yy   xx ) sin 2   xy cos 2  yy'   xx sin 2    xy sin  cos    yy cos 2 
 xy
tan 2  1   2   xx   yy  xy'  ( yy   xx ) sin 2   xy cos 2
 xx   yy
1 1
1  ( xx   yy )  ( xx   yy ) 2   xy2  xx'   yy'   xx   yy
2 2
1 1
 2  ( xx   yy )  ( xx   yy ) 2   xy2  max  ( xx   yy ) 2   xy2
2 2
 n  1 cos    2 sin 2 
2
 max  (1   2 )
1 1 
 n  (1   2 )  (1   2 ) cos 2  
2 2 o

 nm  (1   2 ) sin 2

 rr   xx cos 2   2 xy sin  cos    yy sin 2   rr   xx cos 2    xy sin  cos    yy sin 2 

    xx sin 2   2 xy sin  cos   yy cos 2     xx sin 2    xy sin  cos    yy cos 2 
1
 r  ( yy   xx ) sin 2   xy cos 2  r  ( yy   xx ) sin 2   xy cos 2
2

1 1
w  ( 11   2 2   3 3 ) w  ( xx xx   yy yy   zz zz   xy xy   yz yz   zx zx )
2 2
Q  wV

Page 9 of 14
 xx 
1
E
 xx  ( yy   zz )  xy   xy  xy 
1
G
1
2G
 xy G 
E
2(1   )

 yy   yy  ( xx   zz )  yz   yz  yz 
1 1 1 E
 yz K 
E G 2G 3(1  2 )

 zz   zz  ( xx   yy )  zx   zx  zx 
1 1 1
 zx
E G 2G

 xx    2G xx  xy  G xy  xy  2G xy    xx   yy   zz
E
 yy    2G yy  yz  G yz  yz  2G yz  
(1   )(1  2 )
 zz    2G zz  zx  G zx  zx  2G zx


 zz  0  zz   ( xx   yy )
E
1 1 E
 xx  ( xx  yy )  xy   xy  xx  ( xx   yy )  xy  G xy
E G 1  2
1 E
 yy  ( yy  xx )  yy  ( yy   xx )
E 1  2

 zz  0  zz   ( xx   yy )

 xx 
1
E
 (1  2 ) xx  (1   ) yy 

 yy   (1  2 ) yy  (1   ) xx 
1
E

q   gH  v  q  h  kq

1  R2  1  4 R 2 3R 4 
 rr  q(1  k ) 1    q (1  k ) 1  2  4  cos 2
2  r2  2  r r 
1  R2  1  3R 4 
   q (1  k ) 1  2   q(1  k ) 1  4  cos 2
2  r  2  r 
1  2 R 2 3R 4 
 r  q (1  k ) 1   4  sin 2
2  r2 r 


R2   R2 
 rr  q 1  
   q  1  2   r  0  zz  2 q
 r2   r 
(1   )  R2 
u q (1  2 )r   v  0
E  r 

Page 10 of 14
 2(1   )q 2 smG
sz    x2 c 
G 2(1   )q
U m  (1   )q 2 U m 
  c ERR     c ERR  sm q
A 2G A 4
U m   1  (1   c ) 1, 27  U m
  c ERR   s m q 
    ERR   sm q
A 4   c   A

  c     tan   1   c  tan  3
1  sin  2c cos   tan - 1  c
tan   c    asin   c
1  sin  1  sin   tan  1  2 tan 
RQD J r J w
Q RMR  9 log e Q  44
J n J a SRF
a
   3
 1   3   ci  mb 3  s   1   3   ci m i 1
  ci   ci

GSI  25 GSI  RMR 76 GSI  RMR 89  5

RQD J r
GSI  25 Q'  GSI  9 log e Q'44
Jn Ja
 GSI  100 
m b  m i exp  
 28 
 GSI  100  1 3
GSI  25 s  exp   a  1   3   ci m b s
 9  2  ci

 tm 
 ci
2
m b  m b2  4 s   cm  ci s
GSI
0 , 65
GSI    200
GSI  25 s0 a  0.65   1   3   ci  mb 3 
200   ci 
 tm  0  cm  0
 GSI -10 
 
 ci  100 M Pa E m (GPa)  10  40 

 GSI -10 
 ci ( MPa )  
 ci  100 M Pa E m (GPa)  10  40 
100( MPa )

  JCS 
   n tan  a  JRC log 10  
   n 

Page 11 of 14
q  0.025 H MPa H [ m]  v  gh  h  k v
w2  w2 
h  w2 
e  1 C  w B r 1  2  he  h1  2  he  he
C2  C 
M  C 
q ( w  B) 2 w
p   p  0.025H MPa R
1 e w 2
h
R5
w 0.46 s w 2.46
 s  7. 2 MPa Fs  Fs  288
h 0.66 p Hh 0.66 ( w  B ) 2
R5

Ro0.5933  0.5933  R  


 s  7.2 0.0667     1  1 MPa
V    Ro   
V  w2h Ro  5   2.5

s 
0.07942
2 0.0667

R 2.5  179.65  MPa
( w h)
 3.1768w1.8666  w  
2.5

Fs  s Fs     179 . 65 
p H ( w  B) 2 h 0.0667  h  
w1 w2 4 w1 w2
e  1 we 
C1 C 2 2 w1  2 w2
C1 C 2
 p  0.025 H MPa
w1 w2

E sm sm
R R  0.28
4(1  ) ( cr  q)
2
 cr

  2G G
vp  vs 
 

ESS     n tan( )  C 0 

 1   3  m c  3  s c2

Page 12 of 14
 0.32
W 
S m,he  0.39h  S m, pf  0.1he , H>80m S m, pf  0.8he , H<80m
H
he  eh

 m  4.2S m  1.7  m  9.1S m  2.8 Tm  21.6S m  7


Lc  2T k   2( H  D) tan 
D

1.53
  0.8
m

D T T
 m  0.025  0.03
D D

qB 2 3qL2 qL4 S b2 t w
t  q   g (ts  tw )   la 
2ts
2
t2 32Et 3 d h

4A
we 
c

Rob 
 b  R 

 
 squat k a     1  1
 R
StrengthSquat 
V 0,0667
R  181, 6
0.0786 2,5

  o   
V  

Page 13 of 14
 Strength w0.46
SF  Strength  7.2
Load h0.66

 0, 6 
2,46
.025  H  T   .030T  C1C2
SFCM  SF 1   Load  
 w  w1w2

 w  w 
2,46 0,66
 h 
SF //  SF   SF /  SF  
 w   h  h 

 hm  w2   W
e%  100 1  2  
 hs  C   W  P

qB 2 Fk  gB 2
 t  2 , q   g (ts  tw ) tsb 
2ts 2 t

t qu El  ql Eu s  3 gkBs 
s  1.414tl , qc  ql  Fb     r dh 
Fqc El  Eu tan   4 

 gs 2tw  0.05 Ft
la  la  , wb   gktsb s 2 , Ft  Fb  wb
 d h c  dh c

4wb 4 Ft
 ts  , wb   gs 2tw s 
d 2
 d s2

Page 14 of 14