The Rock Mechanics Branch is one among the four branches functioning under Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engineering Division. This branch was established in the year 1972.

The principle objective of this branch is to study and assess structure & behavior of rock masses, for evaluating the structural properties of rocks, which are necessary for design of important engineering structures like Dams, Anicuts, Bridges & Power Houses etc.

This branch has catered the needs of the project authorities in conducting studies for evaluation of structural properties of rock samples coming under different major Irrigation projects, like Hemavathy, Karanja, Bennithora, Kabini etc.

The studies related to the physical and structural characteristics of Building stones available in Karnataka was started in 1982. The physical & structural characteristics studies for 334 different samples collected from different parts of the Karnataka state were completed, codified & published by Bureau of Indian Standards. (I.S. 7779;Part-4-Sec 1 to 3:1996).

The rock mechanics branch has awell-equipped laboratory for conducting various tests on collected rock samples forTrue Specific gravity, Apparent Specific gravity, Porosity, Water absorption, Compressive Strength, Transverse Strength, Durability, Weathering, Punching Shear, SBC testsforHardand Soft rocks. We also conduct field investigation for rock masses for Deformability, Bearing Capacity, Shear Parameters, Passive Resistance, Residual stress, Anchor strength, Efficacy of Foundation Treatment and Plate load test on rocks at site in future.

Completed Research Studies:

• Correlation of static &dynamic methods of testing of rocks.
• Rock classification by Hardness test.
• Correlation of compressive strength of rocks with Longitudinal wave velocity
• Effects of High pressure on Mechanical Properties of rock.
• Correlation of compressive strength with Point load.
• Studyon physical and structural characteristics of Building stones available in Karnataka, pertaining to the present 30 Districts(Under Progress).