Widely regarded as the most authoritative and comprehensive book in its field, the fourth edition of "Fundamentals of Rock Mechanics" includes new and substantially updated chapters to this highly praised text.
Extensively updated throughout, this new edition contains substantially expanded chapters on poroelasticity, wave propogation, and subsurface stresses
Features entirely new chapters on rock fractures and micromechanical models of rock behaviour
Discusses fundamental concepts such as stress and strain
Offers a thorough introduction to the subject before expertly delving into a fundamental, self-contained discussion of specific topics
Unavailable for many years, now back by popular demand.

Since the publication of the first edition in 1969, "Fundamentals of Rock Mechanics" has been widely regarded as the most authoritative and comprehensive book in its field. Out of print for many years, this classic book is now available in its revised 4th edition. Extensively updated throughout, this new edition contains substantially expanded chapters on poroelasticity, wave propagation, and subsurface stresses, as well as entirely new chapters on rock fractures and micromechanical models of rock behaviour. Beginning with a detailed discussion of fundamental concepts, such as stress and strain, this text offers a thorough introduction to the subject before expertly delving into a fundamental, self-contained discussion of specific topics. Unmatched in the breadth of its treatment of rock mechanics, the new edition of this highly praised text is an invaluable resource for all geologists, geophysicists, and geotechnical engineers working in the field today.

• 1. Rock as a Material1.1 Introduction1.2 Joints and faults1.3 Rock-forming minerals1.4 The fabric of rocks1.5 The mechanical nature of rock 2. Analysis of Stress and Strain2.1 Introduction2.2 Definition of traction and stress2.3 Analysis of stress in two dimensions2.4 Graphical representations of stress in two dimensions2.5 Stresses in three dimensions2.6 Stress transformations in three dimensions2.7 Mohr's representation of stress in three dimensions2.8 Stress invariants and stress deviation2.9 Displacement and strain2.10 Infinitesimal strain in two dimensions2.11 Infinitesimal strain in three dimensions2.12 Determination of principle stresses or strains from measurements2.13 Compatibility equations2.14 Stress and strain in polar and cylindrical coordinates2.15 Finite strain 3. Friction on Rock Surfaces3.1 Introduction3.2 Amonton's law3.3 Friction on rock surfaces3.4 Stick-slip oscillations3.5 Sliding on a plane of weakness3.6 Effects of time and velocity 4. Deformation and Failure of Rock4.1 Introduction4.2 The stress-strain curve4.3 Effects of confining stress and temperature4.4 Types of fracture4.5 Coulomb failure criterion4.6 Mohr's hypothesis4.7 Effects of pore fluids4.8 Failure under true-triaxial conditions4.9 The effect of anisotropy on strength 5. Linear Elasticity5.1 Introduction5.2 Stress-strain relations for an isotropic linear elastic solid5.3 Special cases5.4 Hooke's law in terms of deviatoric stresses and strains5.5 Equations of stress equilibrium5.6 Equations of stress equilibrium in cylindrical and spherical coordinates5.7 Airy stress functions5.8 Elastic strain energy and related principles5.9 Uniqueness theorem for elasticity problems5.10 Stress-strain relations for anisotropic materials 6. Laboratory Testing of Rocks6.1 Introduction6.2 Hydrostatic tests6.3 Uniaxial compression6.4Triaxial tests6.5 Stability and stiff testing machines6.6 True-triaxial tests6.7 Diametral compression of cylinders6.8 Torsion of circular cylinders6.9 Bending tests6.10 Hollow cylinders 7. Poroelasticity and Thermoelasticity7.1 Introduction7.2 Hydrostatic poroelasticity7.3 Undrained compression7.4 Constitutive equations of poroelasticity7.5 Equations of stress equilibrium and fluid flow7.6 One-dimensional consolidation7.7 Applications of poroelasticity7.8 Thermoelasticity 8. Stresses around Cavities and Excavations8.1 Introduction8.2 Complex variable method for two-dimensional elasticity problems8.3 Homogeneous state of stress8.4 Pressurised hollow cylinder8.5 Circular hole in a rock mass with given far-field principal stresses8.6 Stresses applied to a circular hole in an infinite rock mass8.7 Stresses applied to the surface of a solid cylinder8.8 Inclusions in an infinite region8.9 Elliptical hole in an infinite rock mass8.10 Stresses near a crack tip8.11 Nearly rectangular hole8.12 Spherical cavities8.13 Penny-shaped cracks8.14 Interactions between nearby cavities 9. Inelastic Behaviour9.1 Introduction9.2 Plasticity and yield9.3 Elastic-plastic hol

"Previous editions of this seminal book have provided students, researchers and practitioners the world over with the rock mechanics basics for engineering applications. In this 4th edition, Professor Zimmerman, a world expert in the field, has now updated the content in line with modern thinking, while retaining vital emphasis on the fundamentals of the subject. I strongly recommend this book to anyone studying, researching or using rock mechanics: the book is invaluable, both as a learning tool and as a reference source for the underpinning fundamental science." John A Hudson, Emeritus Professor, Imperial College, and President (2007-2011), International Society for Rock Mechanics "The bible of rock mechanics has been updated with several new chapters on topics that were in their infancy at the time of the last edition of this book. My favorite update is Zimmerman's skillful presentation of the hydro-mechanical and seismic properties of fractures. There is no other comparable presentation of this broad range of material with such mathematical depth and rock mechanics foundations. The reference list is priceless. I consider this a must-have textbook for serious student and expert alike in the area of fractured rock." Laura Pyrak-Nolte, Purdue University, Indiana, USA.