14 April 2025
Rock mechanics plays a key role in mining, civil engineering and tunnelling. In the mining industry, it is used to analyze the behaviour of underground rock formations to develop safe and efficient excavation and mineral extraction techniques. In the field of civil engineering infrastructure, it contributes to the stability of rock infrastructures, guaranteeing durability and safety.
Remote sensing and geomatics technologies, such as photogrammetry and laser detection (LiDAR), are used to generate accurate 3D images and digital models to refine our analysis of rock mass behaviour. These techniques are part of Jonathan Aubertin’s tool box. Professor in the Department of Construction Engineering at ÉTS, Aubertin applies them to three key areas: geohazard assessment and monitoring, optimization of blasting operations, and analysis of underground excavations.
Mitigating Geohazards
Geohazards come in many forms, such as rockfalls, infrastructure failures and landslides. The aim is to prevent, anticipate and mitigate these events. For example, former quarries in urban areas are now used as dumping grounds for rubble and other debris. Thanks to remote sensing instruments, it is possible to assess the condition of aging rock face and monitor movements affecting embankments, such as settlement or signs of landslides.
The main challenge is to measure topographic deformations to identify and analyze the first signs of these phenomena. This approach allows measuring their extent and develop appropriate solutions to reduce the associated risks.
Explosives to Reduce the Energy Footprint of Mines
Comminution processes, such as crushing and grinding, make up 50% of the total energy required for mining, and 3% of global electricity consumption across all sectors. One effective way of reducing energy consumption is to optimize the use of explosives, which occurs upstream in the mining cycle. The energy released by explosives is 100 to 1,000 times more efficient than that used for mechanical crushing.
Blasting cycle
Optimizing the blasting process depends above all on accurate characterization of the rock mass. Jonathan Aubertin and his research team have developed an in situ characterization method that provides a more accurate representation of actual rock behaviour than laboratory analysis. This approach is based on the study of crater profiles generated by small explosions, thereby refining our understanding of fragmentation mechanisms and improving the efficiency of the process.
Extending the Life of Mines
Over time, excavations gradually close up at a rate that depends on rock types and depth. Therefore, anticipating and assessing their long-term evolution is crucial in prolonging their operation. Research activities in this field include site instrumentation, numerical modelling and cyclic laboratory testing to determine the best strategies for ensuring stability and durability. Rock mechanics work at ÉTS focuses on instrumentation and modelling of infrastructures in the rock to predict their long-term behaviour and mitigate associated risks.
A Key Field in High Demand
Rock mechanics is a key field for the safety and efficiency of mining operations and underground structures. Thanks to technological advances such as remote sensing and numerical modelling, it is possible to optimize excavation methods, reduce the mining industry’s energy footprint and better anticipate geohazards. The work carried out by Jonathan Aubertin and his team demonstrates the importance of a scientific and innovative approach in harnessing underground resources and ensuring the sustainability of infrastructures.
