Total core recovery[edit]

Total core recovery (TCR) is the borehole core recovery percentage.

TCR is defined as the quotient:

%
= Sum of length of core pieces
= Total length of core run

Solid core recovery[edit]

Solid core recovery (SCR) is the borehole core recovery percentage of solid, cylindrical,
pieces of rock core.
SCR is defined as the quotient:

%
= Sum of length of solid, cylindrical, core pieces
= Total length of core run

Rock quality designation[edit]

Rock-quality designation (RQD) is a rough measure of the degree of jointing or fracture in a
rock mass, measured as a percentage of the drill core in lengths of 10 cm or more. Highquality rock has an RQD of more than 75%, low quality of less than 50%. Rock quality
designation (RQD) has several definitions. The most widely used definition was developed in
1964 by D. U. Deere. It is the borehole core recovery percentage incorporating only pieces of
solid core that are longer than 100 mm in length measured along the centerline of the core. In
this respect pieces of core that are not hard and sound should not be counted though they are
100 mm in length. RQD was originally introduced for use with core diameters of 54.7 mm
(NX-size core). RQD has considerable value in estimating support of rock tunnels. RQD
forms a basic element in some of the most used rock mass classification systems: Rock Mass
Rating system (RMR) and Q-system.
RQD is defined as the quotient:

%
= Sum of length of core sticks longer than 100 mm measured along the
center line of the core
= Total length of core run