31 - Design Methodology for Rock Engineering: Principles and Practice

Abstract

This chapter discusses principles and practice of design methodology for rock engineering. The design methodology for rock engineering consists of 10 steps and 6 design principles, enabling comparison of designs and selection of the best design. Most of all, the design process involves three principal domains: (1) objectives domain, where functional requirements are specified, (2) design solutions domain, where design components are invented to meet the functional requirements, and (3) construction domain, where construction procedures implement the design solution components. Linking these three domains are two processes: (1) the creative process that is necessary to move from the domain of objectives to the domain of design solutions and (2) the optimization process that is necessary to move from the domain of design solutions to the domain of construction. As a result of this design methodology, the final construction procedures can fulfill the original functional requirements, thus, satisfying the perceived need and resulting in a good design.