ROCK MECHANICS COURSE

CHAPTER IV
ENGINEERING ROCK MASS CLASSIFICATIONS

By E. Medina
June 24, 2011
 THE SCIENCE OF CLASSIFICATION

• What is the difference between Classification and

Identification?;
• The first major classification system was proposed by
Terzaghi in 1946 for tunneling with steel support;
• The rock mass classification forms an integral part of the
empirical design method;
• Rock mass classifications were developed to help out in
the site investigation procedures and to provide design
aids;
• The rock mass classifications are not intended to replace
analytical studies, field observations, and
measurements, nor engineering judment;
 ROCK CLASSIFICATIONS AS DESIGN AIDS

• Identify the most significant parameters influencing the

behavior of a rock mass;
• Divide a particular rock mass formation into groups of
similar behavior, that is rock mass classes of varying
quality;
• Provide a basis for understanding the characteristics of
each rock mass class;
• Relate the experience of rock conditions at one site to
the conditions and experience encountered at others;
• Derive quantitative data and guidelines for engineering
design;
• Provide a common basis for communication between
engineers and geologists;
INITIAL SITE CHARACTERIZATION PURPOSES

• Rock types to be encountered;

• Depth and character of the overburden;
• Macroscopic scale discontinuities, such as
major faults;
• Groundwater conditions;
• Special problems, such as weak ground or
swelling rock;
STAGES OF A SITE CHARACTERIZATION PROGRAM
 DESIGN METHODOLOGIES

• Analytical Methods;
• Observational Methods;
• Empirical Methods;
 EARLY ROCK MASS CLASSIFICATIONS

• Rock Load Classification Method;

• Stand-up Time Classification;
• Rock Quality Designation (RQD) Index;
• Rock Structure Rating (RSR) Concept;
 BRITTLE FRACTURE MECHANISM FOR
HARD ROCKS IN UNIAXIAL COMPRESSION
 BRITTLE FRACTURE MECHANISM AND
DEFORMATION UNDER DEVIATORIC STRESS
INTACT ROCK STRENGTH CLASSIFICATIONS
STRENGTH-MODULUS CLASSIFICATION
(Deere and Miller, 1966)
 THE ROCK MASS RATING SYSTEM

• Classification Procedures;
• Applications;
• Correlations;
 CLASSIFICATION PROCEDURES

• Uniaxial compressive strength of rock

material;
• Rock quality designation (RQD);
• Spacing of discontinuities;
• Condition of discontinuities;
• Groundwater conditions;
• Orientation of discontinuities;
 REVISED STAND-UP TIME DIAGRAM
FOR TUNNEL BORING MACHINE (TBM)
 REVISED STAND-UP TIME DIAGRAM
FOR TUNNEL BORING MACHINE (TBM)
APPLICATIONS
 CALCULATION OF m and s FROM RMR VALUES

• Undisturbed rock masses;

• Disturbed rock masses;

 CORRELATIONS

• Civil Engineering Tunnels, Bieniawski (1976);

• Mining Tunnels, Abad et al (1983);

• Rutledge and Preston (1978);

 THE Q-SYSTEM

• Classification Procedures;
• Applications;
• Correlations;
 THE Q-SYSTEM

• Rock Quality Designation (RQD);

• Number of joint sets;
• Roughness of the most unfavorable joint
or discontinuity;
• Degree of alteration or filling along the
weakest joint;
• Water inflow;
• Stress condition;
THE Q-SYSTEM
 FORMULA INTERPRETATION

• RQD/ Jn is a relative measure of the block size;

• Jr/Ja is an indicator of the interblock shear
strength (of the joints);
• Jw is a measure of the water pressure;
• SRF is a measure of a) loosening load in the
case of shear zones or clay bearing rock, b) rock
stress in competent rock, and c) squeezing and
swelling loads in plastic incompetent rocks;
Q RELATED TO TUNNEL SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS
USE OF THE EXCAVATION SUPPORT RATIO (ESR)
SUPPORT DIMENSIONS (LENGTH OF BOLTS)
PERMANENT SUPPORT PRESSURE FROM Q
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE Q-SYSTEM AND THE
EQUIVALENT DIMENSION OF AN EXCAVATION
CORRELATION BETWEEN THE RMR AND THE Q-INDEX
 THE GEOLOGIGAL STRENGTH INDEX (GSI)

• The GSI provides a system for estimating

the reduction in rock mass strength for
different geological conditions;
 THE GEOLOGICAL STRENGTH INDEX (GSI)
FOR ROCK MASS STRENGTH ESTIMATION

• Rock mass strength parameters from GSI;

• For GSI > 25;

• For GSI < 25;