In a straightforward manner and with plenty of illustrations, this textbook approaches important design issues in rock mechanics from a mechanics of materials foundation. It addresses rock slope stability in surface excavations, shaft and tunnel stability, and entries and pillars. The book also covers three-dimensional caverns with an emphasis of backfill and cable bolting and addresses the geometry and forces of chimney caving. Appendices contain supplementary information about rock, joint, and composite properties, rock mass classification schemes, and useful formulas. Designed as a course book, it contains numerous exercises and examples to familiarize the reader with practical problems in rock mechanics through various design analysis techniques and their applications. The appendices provide supplementary information about rock, joint, and composite properties, rock mass classification schemes, useful formulas, and an extensive literature list. A solutions manual, containing all worked solutions is also available (ISBN 9780415457255). Intended for rock mechanics courses to undergraduate and first year graduate students in mining and civil engineering; also suited as an introduction to rock mechanics for other engineers.