The concept of rock engineering is based on three basic premises:
- that the rock mass can be described as an engineering material with parameters that control deformation and failure;
- that the performance of the excavation in the rock mass can be described in terms of classical engineering mechanics, and;
- that the application of engineering principles to design will result in a design which will assure or enhance the performance of the opening.
In order to conduct a rock mechanics design, geologic and geotechnical data is required. Whether the purpose of a design is an initial pre-feasibility study for a small vein mining operation or the final design for a major open pit mine, the data collection and analysis steps required are near identical.
The five major components of any design in rock are as follow:
- description of the local geologic regime;
- collection of field geotechnical parameters;
- quantification of material property parameters;
- data compilation, and;
- engineering analysis.
We adhere to these principles when conducting our designs.
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