Module manager: Dr Mark Hildyard
Email: M.Hildyard@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is not approved as an Elective
Rock mechanics provides a theoretical and empirical formulation of the mechanical behaviour of rocks and rock masses. A thorough understanding of it is important in many fields, whether for underground construction and mining, oil and gas, or tectonics.
The module aims to provide a theoretical understanding of Rock Mechanics.
The objectives are to enable students:
1. To describe rocks and rock masses in a quantitative manner;
2. To describe the internal state of an element of rock in terms of stress and strain, and the mechanical behaviour of rock in terms of the relationship between stress and strain;
3. To understand elasticity theory and its limitations;
4. To understand theories of rock failure;
5. To understand and describe the state of stress around underground openings;
6. To understand potential for failure around underground openings.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
A thorough grounding in Rock Mechanics theory including:
1. a clear comprehension of stress and strain as a description of the mechanical state of a rockmass;
2. an understanding of the relationship of stress and strain in rock, including regions of elastic and inelastic behaviour;
3. an understanding of elasticity theory;
4. an understanding of fracturing and failure in rock and theories to describe it;
5. an appreciation that rockmass behaviour can be complex with aspects described by both continuum and discontinuum behaviour;
6. ability to apply understanding of rock mechanics to problem solving.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
SLO1. Application of problem-solving skills to geotechnical problems using technical knowledge and understanding.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 11 | 3 | 33 |
| seminars | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Practicals | 7 | 2 | 14 |
| Private study hours | 101 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 49 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
Weekly - in person practicals with individual feedback
(problem solving and numerical modelling practicals – linked to the weekly lectures)
Weekly - in-class discussions in lectures
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Coursework | 15 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 15 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 85 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 85 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team