Manuel Rocha


Establishment and Leadership:
 Set up the Civil Engineering Research Centre at Lisbon College of Engineering at age 28
 Directed the Centre until its integration into the Civil Engineering National Laboratory
(LNEC) in 1947
 Became LNEC director seven years later, serving until 1974
 Appointed President of the National Council of Civil Engineering Laboratories in 1974
 LNEC Director Role:
 Oversaw all research activities from scientific and administrative perspectives
 Directed research in various fields: building materials, experimental design of structures,
observation of structures, soil mechanics, earth and concrete dams, and rock mechanics
 Global Recognition and Engagement:
 Published 83 articles
 Active participation in 70 congresses and symposia as session chairman, theme reporter,
or panel member
 Collaboration as a consultant to several organizations
 Membership in many Portuguese, foreign, and international organizations
 Editorial board member for various technical journals
 Visited 163 research institutes and universities in 43 countries, delivering about 200
lectures
 Academic Roles:
 Professor at the Technical University of Lisbon and the New University of Lisbon
 Responsibilities for Rock Mechanics at both universities
 Oversight of Seepage in Rock Masses and Underground Structures at the latter
 Political Contribution:
 Appointed as Minister of Housing and Public Works in the first Cabinet after the
Portuguese Revolution in 1974
 ISRM Presidency and Geotechnical Contribution:
 ISRM President from 1966 to 1970
 Membership increased from 400 to 4,400 during his term
 Appointed Chairman of the Commission on Classification of Rocks and Rock Masses
 draft a Basic Geotechnical Description of Rock Masses
 Unfortunately, unable to lead the ISRM Commission on Tunnel Failures due to
premature decease.
AWARDS

Named after an award the ROCHA AWARD

the Rocha Medal is intended to stimulate young researchers in the field of rock mechanics. The prize, a
bronze medal and a cash prize, have been annually awarded since 1982 for an outstanding doctoral
thesis selected by a Committee appointed for the purpose. Full details on the Rocha Medal are provided
in
Josef Stini

 Background and Dates:

 Josef Stini (1905-1992)
 Austrian engineer and geologist
 Contributions to Engineering Geology and Rock Mechanics:
 Significant impact on understanding rock masses and their implications for
engineering projects
 Renowned for work in engineering geology and rock mechanics
 Academic Position:
 Professor at Vienna University of Technology
 Taught "Technical Geology"
 Emphasized the importance of a quantitative approach to geologic
observations
 Concept of "Rock Mass":
 Introduced the concept of "rock mass" to consider the behavior of rocks as
a whole
 Recognition of Structural Discontinuities:
 Acknowledged the significance of structural discontinuities (joints, faults)
in engineering behavior of rock masses
 Development of Classification Systems:
 Developed rock mass classification systems, including the Rock Mass
Rating (RMR) system
 Emphasis on Support Design:
 Emphasized the need for proper support design in rock engineering
projects
 Provided guidelines for designing support systems in tunnels, slopes, and
underground excavations
 Stability Analysis Methods:
 Widely influential work on stability analysis methods for rock slopes and
underground excavations
 Founding of Journal:
 Founded the journal "Geologie und Bauwesen"
  Later became a precursor to the current journal "Rock Mechanics"
 Publications:
 Published numerous papers and books on rock mechanics
 Totaling 333 publications during the 1930s to 1950s
 Legacy and Impact:
 Pivotal role in advancing the understanding and practice of rock
mechanics and engineering geology
 Sources:
 ScienceDirect
 Journal of Applied Engineering Science
 Practical Rock Engineering - Developments of Rock Engineering
 Rock Mechanics - Achievements and Current Problems
 Advances in Rock Mechanics and Future Trends

Jaeger and Cook

 Contributors:
 Dr. John C. Jaeger and Dr. Neville G.W. Cook
 Notable Work:
 Co-authored "Fundamentals of Rock Mechanics" in 1969
 Widely regarded as a fundamental reference in rock engineering
 Focus of Work:
 Investigated mechanical behavior of rocks
 Explored rock strength, deformation, and failure mechanisms
 Key Concepts and Theories Developed:
 Concept of rock mass classification
 Understanding of the behavior of jointed rock masses

 Book Impact:
 Used extensively by students, researchers, and practitioners in rock
engineering
 Continues to be a foundational resource in the field
 Advancements in Rock Engineering:
 Contributions have advanced the understanding and practice of rock
mechanics
 Provides a solid foundation of knowledge and principles
 Application in Design and Analysis:
 Influential in the design and analysis of rock structures
 Applicable to tunnels, slopes, and underground excavations
 Ongoing Influence:
 Their work remains influential today
 Fundamental concepts developed by Jaeger and Cook are still widely used
in the field
 Overall Contributions:
 Significant impact on the field of rock engineering
 Contributions through research, publications, and development of
fundamental concepts

Evert Hoek
 Prominent Figure:
 Evert Hoek, renowned geotechnical engineer
 Notable Contribution:
 Development of the Hoek-Brown failure criterion
 Hoek-Brown Failure Criterion:
 Widely used in rock engineering
 Estimates rock mass strength and predicts rock stability
 Considers intact strength, discontinuities (joints, faults), and stress
levels
 Essential for rock slope stability analysis, tunnel design, and
underground excavation planning
 Research Focus:
 Extensive research on rock mass behavior under various
conditions
 Explored effects of stress, water, and temperature
 Improving Understanding:
 Improved understanding of rock behavior
 Led to more accurate and reliable methods for assessing rock
stability and designing rock structures
 Publications:
 Authored numerous publications
 Co-authored the widely used book "Practical Rock Engineering"
 Consulting Projects:
 Involved in consulting projects
 Provided expert advice on various rock engineering projects
worldwide
 Overall Impact:
 Significant contributions to rock engineering
 Hoek-Brown failure criterion enhances safety and efficiency in rock
engineering practices
 Improved understanding of rock behavior for engineers and
geologists.