Geomechanical and geotechnical research
The research is focused on two major areas: Relations of stress field forming and its progressive strain behaviour in various types of rock mass and in zones of interaction of natural and/or artificial (i.e. created by human intervention) structural units are studied. The research is performed using both direct in-situ measurements (hydrofracturing, tensometric measurements, CCBO, convergence of underground workings, deformation of boreholes) and mathematical modelling. The topics are both forming of original regional and induced stress fields in given locality and their effects on underground spaces, and changes in surface profile, i.e. formation and development of subsidence depressions in time, induced by human activities in the Earth crust.
Research on possibilities and methods of qualitative improvement and intentional modifications of rock mass properties for its utilization as active structural element of underground geotechnical structures represents another part of the research. It concerns in particular use and research on effectiveness of latest geotechnical methods of grouting and anchoring of rocks with regard to required properties of newly created material, behaviour of such modified rock mass with respect to stability, safety and serviceability of underground geotechnical structure, refining research on physical, mechanical and strength properties of new geocomposite materials, research on methodology and conditions of their preparation from the point of view of in-situ application.