When dealing with rock in civil engineering, mining engineering and other engineering, the process by which the rock fails under load should be understood, so that safe structures can be built on and in the rock. However, there are many ways for loading rock and rock can have a variety of idiosyncracies. This reference book provides engineers and researchers with the essential knowledge for a clear understanding of the process of rock failure under different conditions. It contains an introductory chapter explaining the role of rock failure in engineering projects plusasummary ofthe theories governing rock failure and an explanation of the computer simulation method.It subsquently deals in detail with explaining, simulating and illustrating rock failure inlaboratory andfield.The concluding chapter discusses coupled modelling and the anticipated future directions for this type of computer simulation. An appendix describing the RFPA numerical model (Rock Failure Process Analysis program) is also included.About the AuthorsChun'an Tang has a PhD in Mining Engineering and is a Professor atthe School of Civil & Hydraulic Engineering at Dalian University of Technology in China. Heis an advisor for design and stablity problem modellingin mining and civil rockengineeringand and Chairman of the China National Group of the International Society for Rock Mechanics.John Hudsonis emeritus professor at Imperial College, London and is active as an independant consultant for Rock Engineering Consultants. He has a PhD in Rock Mechanics andcompletedover a 130rock engineering consulting assignments inmining and civil engineering. He is a fellow at the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK and President of the International Society for Rock Mechanics.
