The Bologna Interpretation of Rock Bridges
One can only know where a rock bridge is once one measures it. In addition, to measure it, you need the rock mass to fail. This critical problem is ignored by many, and engineers continue to refer to rock bridges as geometrical distances between non-persistent fractures. This paper argues that this...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Geosciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/13/2/33 |
| _version_ | 1797620736265814016 |
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| author | Davide Elmo |
| author_facet | Davide Elmo |
| author_sort | Davide Elmo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | One can only know where a rock bridge is once one measures it. In addition, to measure it, you need the rock mass to fail. This critical problem is ignored by many, and engineers continue to refer to rock bridges as geometrical distances between non-persistent fractures. This paper argues that this rather simplistic approach can lead to non-realistic failure mechanisms. We also raise the critical question of whether the inappropriate functioning of strength equations centred on the measurement of rock bridge percentages could result in misinterpreting the risk of failure. We propose a new interpterion, aptly called the Bologna Interpretation, as an analogy to the Copenhagen Interpretation of quantum mechanics, to highlight the indeterministic nature of rock bridges and to honour the oldest university in Europe (Bologna University). The Bologna Interpretation does not negate the existence of rock bridges. What rock bridges look like, how many there are, and where they are, we do not know; we can assume their existence and account for their contribution to rock mass strength using a potential analogue. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:46:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6834ca98492b4c5a827ae469a9961a25 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3263 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:46:53Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geosciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-6834ca98492b4c5a827ae469a9961a252023-11-16T20:44:38ZengMDPI AGGeosciences2076-32632023-01-011323310.3390/geosciences13020033The Bologna Interpretation of Rock BridgesDavide Elmo0Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, CanadaOne can only know where a rock bridge is once one measures it. In addition, to measure it, you need the rock mass to fail. This critical problem is ignored by many, and engineers continue to refer to rock bridges as geometrical distances between non-persistent fractures. This paper argues that this rather simplistic approach can lead to non-realistic failure mechanisms. We also raise the critical question of whether the inappropriate functioning of strength equations centred on the measurement of rock bridge percentages could result in misinterpreting the risk of failure. We propose a new interpterion, aptly called the Bologna Interpretation, as an analogy to the Copenhagen Interpretation of quantum mechanics, to highlight the indeterministic nature of rock bridges and to honour the oldest university in Europe (Bologna University). The Bologna Interpretation does not negate the existence of rock bridges. What rock bridges look like, how many there are, and where they are, we do not know; we can assume their existence and account for their contribution to rock mass strength using a potential analogue.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/13/2/33rock ridgesBologna interpretation of rock bridgesrock bridge potentialrock mass stabilityrock mass damage |
| spellingShingle | Davide Elmo The Bologna Interpretation of Rock Bridges Geosciences rock ridges Bologna interpretation of rock bridges rock bridge potential rock mass stability rock mass damage |
| title | The Bologna Interpretation of Rock Bridges |
| title_full | The Bologna Interpretation of Rock Bridges |
| title_fullStr | The Bologna Interpretation of Rock Bridges |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Bologna Interpretation of Rock Bridges |
| title_short | The Bologna Interpretation of Rock Bridges |
| title_sort | bologna interpretation of rock bridges |
| topic | rock ridges Bologna interpretation of rock bridges rock bridge potential rock mass stability rock mass damage |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/13/2/33 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT davideelmo thebolognainterpretationofrockbridges AT davideelmo bolognainterpretationofrockbridges |