Background

Sliding along unfavourable oriented defects in the dam foundation and along the concrete-rock contact are two main potential failure modes for concrete dams. Therefore, accurately determining the shear strength of rock joints and the concrete–rock interface is essential for evaluating potential failure modes in dam foundations and assessing the overall stability of the dam. For the rock joints, basic friction angle presents the frictional resistance of rock joint at its practically possible flatness, where the impact of visible asperities and undulation is negligible. This parameter along with the roughness of joint surface, applied normal stress and the strength of joint surface (including the roughness), are the crucial inputs to estimate the shear strength of rough rock joints. For the concrete-rock contacts, applied effective normal stress, roughness of the contact, and strength of both concrete and rock foundation are the main parameters controlling the shear strength.

The ANCOLD Emerging Professionals Group in collaboration with University of Monash have developed this training course to provide early-career geologists and engineers working in the dam industry with the following key learning objectives:

· Understand the importance of shear strength in rock joints and rock–concrete interfaces.

· Learn the theoretical concepts, including basic friction angle, peak and residual strength, dilation due to asperities, scale effects, impact of weathering and infill, and integrating field measurements with lab test results to interpret shear strength.

· Explore laboratory and in-situ testing methods for determining shear strength parameters, including a review of current standards, suggested methods, and guidelines.

· Assess the reliability and interpretation of test results.

· Observe a live demonstration of a direct shear test in the laboratory.

· Real case application.

· Summarise key takeaways and practical insights.

Presenter

This short course will be delivered by Dr. Mahdi Zoorabadi – Chief Technical Principal – Underground Space and Rock Engineering, SMEC. Mahdi has 24 years of experience in consultancy and research in a broad range of rock engineering and tunnelling fields. He got involved in several dam, hydropower, tunnelling and underground structure projects in Australia and overseas leading in-situ rock testing, rock stress measurement, numerical modelling of underground caverns and dam foundations for several concrete, RCC, and rockfill dams. Mahdi has a strong interest in rock mass characterisation, with a focus on integrating laboratory testing and field measurements—particularly in assessing shear strength and deformability of rock masses. He has contributed as a member of the ISRM working group responsible for updating the suggested methods for direct shear testing. Mahdi has also authored several journal articles and research papers on topics including the shear strength of rock discontinuities, concrete–rock interface behaviour, and the deformability modulus of rock masses. He is actively involved in research activities through collaboration as Adjunct Associate Professor with UNSW Sydney, supervising PhD and Master students.

Cost

· ANCOLD Members (Priority to be given to EP members) = Free

· Non-ANCOLD Members = $50 AUD