ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part provides the general outline of a site investigation, by focusing on the goal of the site investigation, the development of a geotechnical model of the subsurface. It discusses the general procedure to come to a three-dimensional model and the type of data that is needed for a rock dredging project. The part focuses on the characterisation of the rock mass for engineering purposes. Rock mass is described in terms of rock material properties and the presence and properties of the rock discontinuities in the mass. Based on the review of rock abrasiveness and testing methods and mainly on the laboratory tests and observations of the rock cutting trencher operations models of the excavation mechanisms of rock mass and the factors of that determine tool consumption are given.
