Introduction to Rock Engineering Using Rocscience Software

This four-day, hands-on course introduces geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists to integrated workflows across the Rocscience software suite. Participants will learn to capture and interpret structural data using ShapeMetriX, organize geological and borehole data in RSLog, perform structural and rock strength analyses using DIPS and RSData, assess slope and underground stability with RocSlope2, RocSlope3, UnWedge, and RocTunnel3, and carry out advanced numerical modelling in RS3 and RS2.

Through practical exercises using shared datasets, participants will explore how data and models can be transferred between programs to streamline analyses, reduce repetitive data entry, and support more efficient and consistent engineering assessments.

Event Details

• Dates: Monday, February 8th – Thursday, February 11th, 2027
• Location: Hyatt Regency Harare, The Meikles (Corner 3rd Street and Jason Moyo Avenue, Harare)

Registration Fees

• Early Bird: USD $1,200 (until December 31, 2026)
• Regular: USD $1,400

Please note:

• Registrants will be responsible for their own travel and accommodation.
• Registrants must bring their own laptops (and mouse).
• Recommended minimum specs:
  • 32 GB RAM is the recommended minimum
  • 64 GB RAM for 100,000+ triangles
  • 100 GB SSD is the recommended minimum
  • 500 GB SSD preferred
  • Discrete NVIDIA graphics cards preferred for optimal experience
  • Windows 10 64-bit recommended minimum
  • Windows 11 64-bit preferred
• Seats are limited

Learning Outcomes

On completing the course, participants will be able to:

1. Acquire and map structural data from photogrammetric or LiDAR models in ShapeMetriX and export it in DIPS- and RocSlope3-readable formats (.3gdps for joints, .3grs for geometry).
2. Centralize borehole, laboratory and mapping data in RSLog, build cross-sections, and export stratigraphy directly to analysis programs.
3. Define joint sets, run kinematic and sensitivity analyses in DIPS, and export set statistics, measured planes and DFNs to RocSlope2, RocSlope3, Unwedge and RocTunnel3.
4. Fit strength envelopes in RSData and apply the resulting parameters consistently across RocSlope2/3, and RS2/RS3 models.
5. Perform planar, wedge and toppling assessments in RocSlope2 and 3D block stability in RocSlope3 directly from imported geometry and joints.
6. Assess underground wedge and block stability in UnWedge and RocTunnel3 from the same structural dataset.
7. Build 3D finite element models in RS3 from Slide3/RocSlope3 geometry, run shear strength reduction and staged excavation, and export critical 2D sections to RS2 using the Section Creator.
8. Apply a decision framework for when to escalate from empirical/kinematic to limit-equilibrium/block to numerical analysis.
9. Set up a project folder and naming convention that keeps every analysis traceable to its source data.

Reserve Your Seat