Structural Engineering MSc
Rock Mechanics and Engineering 4 ENG4072
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Engineering
- Credits: 10
- Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
- Typically Offered: Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: No
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
This course introduces fundamentals of rock mechanics and its application to surface and subsurface engineering practice, emphasising: (i) introduction to the characteristics and the nature of rock mechanics; (ii) hydrogeology of rock masses; (iii) philosophy of rock engineering design; (iv) applications of rock mechanics in civil and renewable energy engineering projects (e.g., rock slope stability, geological disposal of radioactive wastes, geothermal energy, mineral resources extraction). It also includes a series of practical sessions which allow students to familiarise themselves with subject.
Timetable
2 lectures per week, a variety of practical sessions
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
80% Written Exam
20% Practical Skills Assignment
Main Assessment In: April/May
Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? No
It is the default expectation that all courses will offer opportunities for reassessment or deferred assessment. Where it is not possible to offer this in some assessment components, the grade achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade, and any exceptions for this course are described below.
[No exceptions]
Course Aims
The aims of this course are to:
■ convey a thorough grounding in rock mechanics as it relates to civil engineering and renewable energy;
■ explain and practise the engineering description of rocks and rock masses;
■ equip students with basic quantitative methods for analysing rock slope instabilities;
■ introduce skills in rock reinforcement strategy and its low-carbon solutions;
■ apply principles of rock mechanics in subsurface renewable energy engineering.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of the course students will be able to:
■ define the fundamental characteristics and mechanical properties of rocks, rock masses, and discontinuities
■ conduct rock slope stability analysis using quantitative approaches;
■ deduce likely groundwater flow in the underground projects;
■ calculate and map stress redistribution, excavation damaged zone in relation to underground excavation;
■ design preliminary rock reinforcement in fractured rocks;
■ analyse the mechanism of the formation of enhanced geothermal reservoirs.