This text provides an introduction for graduate students, as well as engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers. It is also relevant to those working in nuclear waste disposal and oil and gas production. The early chapters deal with fundamental mechanics and physics as they apply to rock masses. It provides an introduction to the geological processes that give rise to the nature of rock masses and control their mechanical behavior. It discusses stresses in the earth's crust and explains methods of measurement and prediction.

Steve Hencher is research professor in engineering geology at the University of Leeds, UK, and an honorary professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Hong Kong. Up until recently, he was a director of Halcrow (China) and head of Geotechnics in the Hong Kong Office for approximately ten years. Previously, he worked with Bechtel on the design of the high-speed railway in South Korea and for the Geotechnical Control Office of the Hong Kong Government. He also spent 12 intervening years teaching an MSc course in engineering geology and conducting research at the University of Leeds.

An Ideal Source for Geologists and Others with Little Background in Engineering or MechanicsPractical Rock Mechanics provides an introduction for graduate students as well as a reference guide for practicing engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers. The book considers fundamental geological processes that give rise to the nature of rock ma

Introduction to rock mechanics. Fundamental mechanics. Hydrogeology of rock masses. Characterising rock for engineering purposes. Properties and parameters for design. Foundations on rock. Rock slopes. Underground excavations. References.