"The Design of Rock Engineering Structures: Current Capabilities and Likely Future Directions"

Professor John A Hudson
Imperial College and Rock Engineering Consultants, UK.


Abstract
The Lecture will present the current status of rock engineering design, summarized through the eight basic methods of rock engineering design - which result from the four levels of complexity and whether the associated modelling attempts to map the rock mass mechanisms explicity or implicitly. The required rock mass information is also summarized by highlighting what we can do well and what we cannot do well in the different subject areas, including numerical modelling. The advantages of geophysical investigation in association with underground research laboratories for validation exercises will be emphasized. The fact that the majority of rock engineering hazards should now be anticipated is also a theme of the lecture, as is the need for enhanced technical auditing of the rock engineering design process. Many of the principles and associated site case examples will be illustrated by photographs. The Lecture will conclude with a prediction of the likely future rock engineering design methodologies.



J A Hudson CV:
John Hudson obtained his first degree from the Heriot-Watt University, UK and obtained his PhD at the University of Minnesota, USA. He has spent his professional career in engineering rock mechanics - as it applies to civil, mining and environmental engineering - in consulting, research, teaching and publishing and has been awarded the DSc degree for his contributions to the subject. In addition to authoring many scientific papers, he edited the 1993 five volume "Comprehensive Rock Engineering" compendium, and currently edits the International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences.
From 1983 to the present, Professor Hudson has been affiliated with Imperial College as Reader and Professor. He is also a Principal of Rock Engineering Consultants, actively engaged in applying engineering rock mechanics principles and techniques to relevant engineering practice worldwide. In 1998, he was elected as a Fellow ofthe Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK.

jah@rockeng


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