Behaviour of anisotopic and heterogeneous rockmasses. A new rock mass classification system.

Geoscience Seminar, given by Dr Harry Saroglou, School of Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Greece

Dr. Harry Saroglou is a Senior Teaching & Research Fellow in the School of Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens. He holds an M.Sc. in Engineering Geology from Imperial College London, an M.Sc. in Tunnelling and a Ph.D. from National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). He was awarded the Richard Wolters Prize by the International Association of Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG) in 2012. He has been a Lecturer at Imperial College in London (2013 – 2016) and a Visiting Professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2016. He has authored 80 publications in scientific peer-reviewed journals and international Conferences. He has 20 years of experience in consulting for Civil and Mining engineering industry and participated in projects in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. Areas of expertise include the engineering behaviour of rocks and rockmasses, weak rocks and complex formations, the engineering geology of major infrastructure projects, geological hazard evaluation and risk (landslides and rockfalls) as well as protection of cultural heritage sites.

Abstract: Behavior of anisotopic and heterogeneous rockmasses. A new rock mass classification system.

The engineering behavioUr of rock masses is strongly dependent on anisotropy, which is present at different scales, from the microscale in the intact rock due to the alignment of rock crystals (inherent anisotropy) to the macroscale in rock masses with anisotropic rock structure, characterized by distinct bedding or schistosity planes.

The lecture will be divided in two parts, the first one presenting research on the behaviour of anisotropic rocks. Furthermore the modified Hoek – Brown failure criterion for anisotropic rocks (Saroglou, 2007) and an update on its use and applicability will be presented.

The second part of the lecture will deal with the characterisation of anisotropic rockmasses using a new rockmass classfication system, ARMR (Anisotropic Rock Mass Rating), specifically developed for the classification of anisotropic rock masses (Saroglou et al., 2018).

Its use will be illustrated by through selected rock engineering cases in anisotropic rock masses and the advantages and limitations of the classification system will be outlined.

Recommandations will be presented for the use of the classification in combination with the modified Hoek – Brown criterion in the design of tunnels and slopes.