Group Assignment SKAB 2712

GROUP ASSIGNMENT Sem I 2020/2021

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QUESTION 1. Answer the following questions (21 marks)

(a) With regard to rock properties, define what is mass property and material
property? (3 marks)

(b) In terms of capability of rock to sustain load, which one tends to be LOWER in
terms of value, is it mass strength or material strength? State the reason why?
(3 marks)

(c) For terms and properties listed in the following table indicate whether it is
associated with rock mass OR rock material ? (4 marks)

Table 1: Mass and material properties

No. Term/Property
1. Safe Bearing Pressure (SBP) of bedrock
2. Weathering Zone (Zone 1 to Zone 6)
3. Slake Durability Index, SDI
4. Rock Quality Designation, RQD
5. Weathering Grade (Grade I to Grade VI)
6. Uniaxial Compressive Strength, UCS
7. Average Young’s Modulus, E
8. Primary-wave velocity (Vp) from field seismic survey

(d) Figure 1 shows rock samples being tested for their uniaxial compressive
strength (UCS). Some samples display fracture/weakness planes that are at
different orientation with respect to the loading axis (as shown by the arrows).
The loading configuration of each sample is shown in (i) to (v). Answer the
following questions:

Between samples (ii) and (iii) which one will display a lower strain at
failure? (1 mark)
Between sample (ii) and (iv) which one will display a lower Poisson’s ratio?
(1 mark)
Explain briefly why sample (i) and (ii) will exhibit almost similar strengths?
(2 marks)
Among the 5 samples (i) to (v), which sample will display the lowest
compressive strength? State reason for your answer (2 marks)

(e) Data from the compression test on sample (i) is shown in Table 2. Plot the
stress versus strain curve for this sample? (3 marks)

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 Group Assignment SKAB 2712

Table B2: Stress-strain data for uniaxial compression test on Sample

Normal stress
Uniaxial strain (%) Lateral strain (%)
(MPa)
0.0 0.0000 0.0000
5.0 0.0319 -0.0150
10.0 0.0720 -0.0275
15.0 0.1025 -0.0425
20.0 0.1450 -0.0600
25.0 0.1755 -0.0725
30.0 0.2150 -0.0875
35.0 0.2455 -0.1025
41.0 0.2815 -0.1125
46.0 0.3125 -0.1209
52.0 0.3515 -0.1285
58.0 0.4000 -0.1325

(f) Based on the plotted curve, calculate the average/tangent Young’s modulus
and Poisson’s ratio for this sample, at 50 % UCS? (2 marks)

QUESTION 2. In estmating the in situ strength of rock mass in the field, several
important aspects of the in situ rock must considered. The basic approach in
estiamting the strength of in situ rock mass is to obtain the laboratory strength
properties of the rock samples, and subsequently, relates these lab properties with
the condition of the in situ rock mass. Answer the following questions: (16 marks)

(a) Core samples for laboratory strength test were obtained from an in situ rock
mass. From series of lab tests on Grade I (Fresh) samples the average uniaxial
compressive strength (UCS), is found to be 100 MPa. Field observation
indicates that significant portion of the in situ rock mass is weathered to Grade
II. Based on Figure 2, the range of SRF for Weathering Grade II is betweeen
0.28 and 1.0. Estimate the range of reduction in strength, in MPa, for the in
situ rock mass due to its weathered state. (2 marks)

(b) If the range of strength obtained from question (a) above is taken to be the
range of safe bearing pressure for the in situ rock, would it be SAFE (or
UNSAFE) to construct a structure on this rock mass if this structure transmits
loading of about 64 MPa (64 MN/m2)? State a brief explanation for your
answer. (3 marks)

(c) The nature of the rock cores obtained from the in situ rock mass is typically
shown in Figure 3. The core recovery is 100 % and the lengths of intact core
(Xi) along the center axis are measured and shown in the figure. Calculate the
typical RQD for the in situ rock mass? (2 marks)

(d) Based on the RQD value obtained in question (c) and the average laboratory
UCS, by using Figure 4 estimate the Safe Bearing Pressure (SBP) in MPa, for

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 Group Assignment SKAB 2712

the in situ rock mass (Note: assume the calculated RQD fall within the range of
70 % RQD and range fracture spacing of the in situ rock is 200 mm) (2 marks)

(e) Based on the value of SBP obtained in (d), calculate in %, the compressive
strength of the in situ rock mass as compared to the UCS of intact samples
obtained from lab test? What can be concluded from this calculation ? (3
marks)

(f) Based on the assessments and calculation undertaken from (a) to (e) above,
state 2 major major conditions of the in situ rock mass that will contribute to
the reduction of its mass strength (or SBP)? (4 marks)

QUESTION 3. Figure 5(a) and 5(b) show condition of joint system in 2 rock masses.
Rock Mass A exhibits more than 3 joint sets that are very closely spaced (less than
200 mm) and are intersecting with each other. Rock Mass B exhibits two major joint
sets that are widely spaced (more than 600 mm) and are intersecting with each
other. Figure 6(a) and 6(b) are two probable modes of failure that can be expected if
slope face is excavated both Rock Mass A and Rock Mass B. Answer the following
questions (13 marks)

(a) If RQD values obtained from volumetric joint count on the 2 rock masses are
less than 30 % and more than 80 %. Based on each RQD value, in which rock
mass (Rock Mass A or B) value of RQD < 30 % and > 80 % can be expected?
(2 marks)

(b) Explain one main difference for mode of wedge failure between wedge failure
and rock fall? (2 marks)

(c) For both Rock Mass A and B, which rock mass will very likely displaying
unstability due to rock fall, and unstability due to wedge failure? (2 marks)

(d) If the unstable rock block shown in Figure 6(a) is more than 2 m3 and weighs
more than 0.5 tonnes, recommend one (1) rock reinforcement method to
stabilise this slope? (2 marks)

(e) For unstability show in Figure 6(b), recommend two (2) rock support methods
suitable for this slope? (2 marks)

(f) For slope stabilisation, why it is highly recommended to install wire-mesh and
shotcrete together? (3 marks)

QUESTION 4. Figure 7 show cross-section of granite rock body (assumed to be

massive, continuous, homogeneous and fresh) where a circular shaped tunnel is
proposed. The unit weight (d) of rock 27 kN/m3 and H = 200 m. Based on computer
simulation, upon excavation the type and level of stresses that will be induced
around the proposed tunnel are as follows:

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 Group Assignment SKAB 2712

The rock mass close to the tunnel roof (the white area), will be subjected to
tensile stress (st) and value is about 1 ´ sv (sv is vertical stress acting on the
tunnel due to overburden material above the tunnel, sv = d´ H).
The rock mass close to the tunnel walls (the hatched area), will be subjected
to compressive stress (sc) and value is about 3 ´ sv.
Answer the following questions (10 marks):
(Note: all stresses must be in MPa)

(a) Determine the vertical stress (sv) acting on the tunnel at H = 200 m? (1 mark)

(b) Determine the value of induced tensile stress (st) that will be acting on the
rock mass at the tunnel roof, and the induced compressive stress (sc) at the
tunnel wall? (2 marks)

(c) If the compressive strength of the granite rock is 60 MPa and its tensile
strength is 2 MPa, which part of the tunnel will exhibit failure (roof or wall)?
Explain why that part of the tunnel will fail upon excavation? (3 marks)

(d) Before the construction of the tunnel, rock core samples were obtain at
strategic location around the proposed tunnel. The sampling include rock core
samples from the roof of the tunnel and samples from the wall of the tunnel.
State type of strength test and name of test that should be undertaken on:
Rock core samples obtained from the tunnel roof (2 marks)
Rock core samples obtained from the tunnel wall (2 marks)

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FIGURES & TABLES

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v)

Figure 1: Compression test on intact and jointed/discontinuous rock samples

WEATHERING DESCRIPTION
RESIDUAL SOIL; ORIGINAL TEXTURE
STRUCTURE AND MINERALOGY
VI COMPLETELY DESTROYED

COMPLETELY WEATHERED DECOMPOSED

AND FRIABLE, BUT ROCK TEXTURE AND
V STRUCTURE PRESERVED

HIGHLY WEATHERED; WEATHERING

EXTENDS THROUGHOUT ROCKMASS AND
IV ROCK MATERIAL IS PARTLY FRIABLE

MODERATELY
III
WEATHERED;
SLIGHTLY WEATHERED; PENETRATIVE
WEATHERING ON OPEN DISCONTINUITY
II SURFACES, BUT ONLY SLIGHT
WEATHERING OF ROCK MATERIAL
FRESH, NO VISIBLE SIGN OF WEATHERING
OR FAINTLY WEATHERED WITH
I WEATHERING LIMITED TO SURFACE OF
MAJOR DISCONTINUITIES

0.001 0.004 0.01 0.04 0.1 0.4 1.0

STRENGTH REDUCTION FACTOR

0.28 1.0

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 Group Assignment SKAB 2712

Figure 2: Strength Reduction Factor (SRF) for rock at different weathering grade

125 mm

95 mm

85 mm

75 mm

105 mm

120 mm

130 mm
1500 mm (core length)
95 mm

140 mm
mm
75 mm

95 mm

70 mm

70 mm

220 mm
KEY:

--------- Fractures induced

by drilling work.
______ Natural joints.

Figure 3: Typical core sample obtained from drilling of in the in situ rock mass

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 Group Assignment SKAB 2712

100 4 8 12

Safe Bearing
UCS (MPa) 25 1 3 5 Pressure,
SBP (MPa)

10 0.2 1 2

RQD (%) 25 70 90
Fracture spacing 60 200 600
(mm)

Figure 4: Safe Bearing Pressure based on UCS, RQD & fracturing spacing

Figure 5(a): Rock Mass A Figure 5(b): Rock Mass B

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 Group Assignment SKAB 2712

Figure 6(a): Wedge Failure Figure 6(b): Rock Fall

Ground Surface

Depth of
Granite rock tunnel, H

ROOF

WALL WALL

Proposed tunnel

Figure 7: Circular tunnel excavated at depth of 200 m in granite

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9 December 2020, Sem I Session 2020/2021