Use the Tab and Up, Down arrow keys to select menu items.
This course focuses on description and representation of a rock mass, stress and strain in a rock mass and deformation and failure of a rock mass. These are applied to rock slope stability analysis and design of underground excavations.
The ENGE412 course introduces the fundamental principles of rock mechanics and their application to rock engineering. Concepts covered include intact rock behaviour, including stress, strain, deformation, strength, and failure, before progressing to rock mass characterisation, rock mass classification, discontinuity behaviour, and induced and in situ stresses. The course applies these principles to rock slope stability, rockfall assessment and modelling, risk analysis, mitigation design, and underground excavation. Practical learning is integrated through an intact rock laboratory, a quarry-based rock slope assessment field trip, and a rockfall assessment field trip to Kaikōura, where students collect, analyse, and interpret field data using computational tools. By integrating laboratory testing, field investigations, numerical and analytical methods, and engineering design principles, students gain the skills to evaluate rock engineering problems and develop appropriate engineering solutions for slopes and underground excavations.
1. Apply the principles of stress, strain, elasticity, and plasticity to intact rocks in the laboratory to assess intact rock properties.2. Collect discontinuity and rock mass data in the field and analyse this data using computational tools to assess rock slope stability.3. Conduct rockfall assessment in the field and translate this into computational analysis to make recommendations on rockfall risk and mitigation.4. Comprehend the inter-relationships between given input parameters for different underground excavation scenarios.5. Critically evaluate and apply laboratory, field and analytical methodologies for rock mechanics and rock engineering.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Employable, innovative and enterprising
Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.
Globally aware
Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.
(1) ENCN353 or (2) MATH101 or MATH102 or MATH103 and (3) approval from the Head of Department of Geological Sciences
ENGE 485
Students must attend one activity from each section.
3 hours of lectures per week (inclusive of tutorials and labs)Field trips (self-catered):• Halswell Quarry: Monday 10th August 11 am-5 pm• Kaikoura: Friday 18- Saturday 19thth Sept
Ellen Robson
Recommended textbook(s):• Elsageer, Hassan A., et al. (2025). Essentials of Rock Mechanics. Springer Nature Singapore.• Hencher, S (2015) Practical Rock Mechanics• Hoek, E (2023) Practical Rock Engineering: https://www.rocscience.com/learning/hoeks-corner.• Wyllie (2011) Rock Slope Engineering
Domestic fee $1,286.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
This course will not be offered if fewer than 10 people apply to enrol.
For further information see School of Earth and Environment on the departments and faculties page .