Week 3: Rock Mechanics

In true sense, it was a ROCKing weak. Prof Barbera started with brilliant comprehensive lectures on the basics of rock mechanics covering the geotechnical models, discontinuities, mechanical characterization of intact rock and rock mass and classification. She further took us to the Politecnico di Torino Geotechnics and Rock Mechanics laboratory DIPLAB (DIsaster Planing LABoratory) where we saw an army of triaxial apparatus for different requirements of tests apart from other soil and rock testing equipment. What intrigued us was the direct shear test machine for snow which was developed in PoliTo. We were also trained in DIPS software in the LAIB practising on a real time data provided by Prof Barbara. Prof Migliazza focussed on moderately fractured and jointed rocks in her lecture on unstable block analysis. She covered discontinuity surveys by classical methods and most advanced methods like Digital Surface Modelling by photogrammetry, laser scanner etc., by showing us results from actual projects comparing both systems and procedural approach of advanced methods.

Further Dr Russo introduced us various Geomechanical classifications studies on rock mass and their application in prediction of excavation behaviour and design choices and calculations. His lecture was beautifully structured into step-by-step methods of classifications by different authors from Terzaghi (1946) to Palmstrom (1995)’ He also explained us the most inclusive and widely used method in Geodata for Simplified approach for a preliminary setting of excavation behaviour formulated by him, GD Classification Rosso 2007 by involving us in classroom exercise. His lecture also presented a cross-checking of the reliability of the multiple graphs by documented Case-Histories. He shared with us alarming videos showing different types of rockbursts from various tunnelling sites around the world.

This week though being intensive and exhaustive ended with another brilliant lecture from where he introduced us different types of supports for conventional tunnels laying a great foundation for the lectures to follow. Prof peila discussed different types of rock bolts and shotcrete and the necessary aspects to take care while designing these support systems.

Week 2: General aspects and Soil Mechanics

Prof Claudio Oggeri, a proficient in geomechanics started the week by quoting ‘In a site investigation, if you do not know what you should be looking for, you are not likely to find much of value’ stressing on the importance of planning the investigations for different underground works and covering various geological measurements.

Prof Corrado Fidelibus from Politecnico di Bari took us on an intensive ride to introduce the basics but in a very different perspective, that of a soil particle. The lectures focused on Terzaghi and Navier Cauchy’s work to conceptualize hydro-mechanical aspects of soil mechanics and its relevance in tunnelling works. His lectures also covered the concepts of natural undisturbed state of stress in rocks and soils. Prof Jarre then quoted best of the examples in his lectures and won us all with his charm, ending the week on a good note.

Opening Day and Week 1

The Master’s kicked-off with a warm, welcoming and informative opening ceremony. The ceremony was graced by the director for lifelong learning of PoliTo. Prof Daniele Peila, the director of the course, welcomed all the students to the university and gave a brief of the course highlighting his expectations. There we were, from diverse backgrounds and different countries but with gleaming energies bucking up for the year ahead. It is fun and challenging to be back to the classroom after a while for many of us.

Listen to the director and students here about the session

The lecture on general aspects of tunnelling and guidelines for underground structures design marked the beginning of the course and was a high-on-energy and filled with examples of tunnelling projects from around the world. This is what Prof Peila brings to you, always!! We were advised to be open in our approach always while practicing. The week was then aimed to introduce the geological and geophysical aspects of tunnelling from investigations to the design considerations to the risk aspects induced by geology while tunnelling. While Dr. Soldo, the technical director from Geodata asked us to have a holistic and open approach, he covered geoengineering design coupled with interesting uncertainty concepts and quoting many standards and some interesting case studies. Prof Sambuelli, a well-known expert in geophysical surveys and a NatGeo geologist, covered an array of investigation methods, shared with us a ton of literature for our future reference. Prof Russo started from the basics of hydrogeology, also explaining its relevance by quoting the alarming differences in the contents of simple bottled water, ending with a thoughtful quote ‘don’t avoid water, manage it’.