Geomechanics and Excavation Engineering

Undergraduate | 2026

Course page banner
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
ENGP 2012
Course ID icon
Course ID
206795
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
2
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No
alt
Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

The course aims to provide students with a basic knowledge in rock mechanics, rock excavations, geotechnical risks and hazards assessments, dynamic events, instrumentation and monitoring, and rock supports in mining operations. The course also gives an introduction to numerical modelling for mining geomechanical problems.

Course learning outcomes

  • Have a working knowledge of the engineering properties of rock
  • Be able to select and use appropriate analytical and numerical methods for the design of underground structures and support systems
  • Have the necessary grounding in rock mechanics to embark upon a study of the principles of rock engineering
  • Recognise the evolving nature of the discipline and develop skills to access, evaluate and integrate new knowledge and processes
  • Explain the contribution of rock breakage to the mining process
  • Describe the various methods of rock breakage
  • Select appropriate methods of drilling and rock breakage for given in-situ rock conditions
  • Apply fundamental principles to the design and selection of safe and efficient blasting to:Design blasts to achieve particular outcomes; Manage and control blast damage and environmental impacts; Evaluate productivity and economics
  • Appropriate technical knowledge
  • Skills of analysis, synthesis and problem solution, and the ability to tolerate ambiguity
  • Lifelong ability to learn

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A