Rock mechanics is the theoretical and applied science of the mechanical behavior of rocks and rock masses. As in geology, it is the branch of mechanics concerned with the response of these lithological entities to the force fields of their physical environment.

Rock mechanics is part of geomechanics, a discipline related to the mechanical responses of all geological materials, including soils. Applied to geological engineering, mining, petroleum and civil engineering, it focuses on the implementation of the principles of mechanical engineering and the design of lithological structures generated by:.

It also includes design of structural reinforcement systems), such as rock anchoring patterns.

Contenido

El término geomecánica se aplica a la disciplina relacionada con la ingeniería geológica principalmente, y otras ramas como la ingeniería civil, ingeniería de minas") y la geofísica, para estudio de las condiciones de estabilidad, deformación y resistencia de macizos rocosos. Parcialmente, se le puede considerar sinónimo de mecánica de rocas, pues además comprende mecánica de suelos.

La geomecánica se distingue de la geotecnia en que en ésta se atienden principalmente terrenos "Terreno (geología)") no consolidados. En algunos casos, para el avance y la culminación de proyectos constructivos, las características geológicas locales requieren integración de ambas disciplinas. Se puede dividir en:.

Surface Geomechanics

Predominantly, this branch studies:

Geomechanics applied to the subsoil

In this branch, mainly developed in the field of petroleum research, the geomechanical properties of the rocks crossed (or to be crossed) by the drilling of a well are primarily investigated, in order to: