Workshop Program - RockEng 2025
Welcome to the RockEng 2025 Workshop Program! We are excited to offer three specialized workshops led by industry experts, designed to provide in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in key areas of rock engineering. These workshops cater to both newcomers and seasoned professionals, offering valuable insights into advanced topics like machine learning applications, numerical modeling, and mine seismicity. Each workshop is an opportunity to expand your understanding, engage with cutting-edge techniques, and connect with peers in the field. Whether you're looking to deepen your technical expertise or gain practical skills, these workshops will enrich your RockEng 2025 experience. Explore the details of each session below and get ready to elevate your knowledge.
WS1: From Data to Models: Navigating the Challenges of Applying Machine Learning to Rock Engineering
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Overview: This workshop explores the integration of machine learning (ML) techniques in rock engineering, focusing on the unique challenges posed by data-related issues. Participants will gain insights into the complexities of applying ML to rock engineering, including challenges with data quality, the integration of qualitative and subjective information, and the handling of discontinuous datasets. The workshop begins with an introduction to ML concepts and their relevance to rock engineering, followed by a detailed discussion on data-related challenges. Participants will learn about the difficulties of data collection, the nuances of preprocessing, and methods for managing incomplete data. The workshop will then address the complexities of working with qualitative and subjective data, offering strategies for quantifying and integrating these data types into ML models. The workshop will also discuss the important concepts of model reliability and generalization. Participants will explore best practices for ensuring that ML models are robust and applicable across different scenarios. Key topics include techniques for validating model performance, avoiding overfitting, and ensuring that models generalize well to new, unseen data.
The workshop will include real-world case studies and interactive activities, providing practical experience in overcoming these challenges. Concluding with a Q&A session, participants will have the opportunity to discuss their experiences and gain further insights into effective ML applications in rock engineering.
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Instructor: Davide Elmo.
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Dr. Elmo is a professor at the NBK Institute of Mining Engineering, University of British Columbia, and Associate Dean for Students & Professional Development in the Faculty of Applied Science. He holds a B.Eng. (Hons) in Engineering Geology & Geotechnics from Portsmouth University and a PhD in Geomechanics from the University of Exeter. A licensed Professional Engineer in British Columbia, he joined the institute in 2012 after working as a geotechnical and rock mechanics engineer in Ireland and Canada. He teaches courses on rock mechanics and contributes to lectures on caving geomechanics. His research focuses on the impact of cognitive biases in engineering design and the integration of machine learning in rock engineering, alongside exploring discrete fracture network modelling and numerical modelling in block caving. Dr. Elmo received the 2001 Thomas Roy Award for his outstanding contributions to Engineering Geology and the 2024 Killam Teaching Award for his contribution to teaching at UBC.
WS2: Numerical Modelling in Rock Mechanics
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Overview: The workshop will discuss different numerical modeling techniques commonly used in rock mechanics and rock engineering including finite element, finite volume, discrete element, and boundary element methods. This will include an examination of 2D versus 3D models. The advantages and disadvantages of each will be presented, and advice will be given on choosing the appropriate method for different types of problems. Real-world examples will be shown. The basic workflow for numerical modelling will be described including best practices and common pitfalls. The participants will walk through building, solving, and interpreting numerical models for common rock engineering problems (a slope and a tunnel). Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop.
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Instructor: Jim Hazzard.
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Dr. Hazzard is a geological engineer (Queen’s University) with a Ph.D. (Keele University) in geophysics. He has extensive experience in geomechanics software development and is currently the Software Manager at Itasca Consulting Group, as well as product manager and primary developer for 3DEC. Dr. Hazzard is also a consultant with Itasca and has worked on several projects evaluating the stability of open pit and underground mines. Other interests include numerical modeling of seismicity and hydraulic fracture. Dr. Hazzard is a registered Professional Engineer in Ontario, Canada.
WS3: Mine Seismicity
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Overview: This course aims to provide an introduction to seismic monitoring in mines to those new to the field, as well as discuss considerations for seismic monitoring system design and case studies of mine seismicity for those with more experience. The following topics will be discussed:
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Introduction to mine seismology: what are seismic waves, what are typical sources of seismic events in mines, and What information can we get out of the waveforms.
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Micro-seismic system design: Sensor types, sensor locations for sensitivity and location accuracy, moment tensor inversion, dataloggers, timing (why this is important), etc.
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Advanced case studies: source types, complex events, stress + seismicity.
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Instructor: Daryl Rebuli and Stephen Meyer.
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Daryl Rebuli (PhD, P. Geo) is the Managing Director of the Institute of Mine Seismology, Canada. Daryl has been working in mine seismology for the past 19 years, consulting for mines around the world. He moved to Canada in 2015 and has headed the Canadian office of the Institute of Mine Seismology since then. Daryl’s current focus is on seismic monitoring and seismicity in underground metalliferous mines in North America.
Stephen Meyer (MSc) is Head of Seismology at the Institute of Mine Seismology, Canada. Stephen has been working at IMS for 13 years, starting in South Africa, then spending 10 years at IMS Australia, before moving to Canada, where he now heads the IMS Canada seismology group. Stephen is interested in the application and utility of seismic source mechanisms in a mining environment, and the classification of waveforms and seismic sources.