CLASSIFICATION OF ROCK MATERIAL WEATHERING GRADES (SEDIMENTARY

AND METAMORPHIC ROCKS), ANON (1977)

DESCRIPTION

GRADE

DEFINITION

SYMBOL

FIELD
IDENTIFICATION

Residual soil

VI

All rock material in

degraded condition and
original rock structure
destroyed.

Can be crumbled by
hand and finger.

Completely
weathered

All rock material in a

degraded condition but
original mass structure
still discernible
pressure into
constituent grains.

Slakes readily in water.

Geological pick easily
indents surface when
pushed. Coring not
possible by ordinary
methods.

Highly weathered

IV

More than half of the

rock material in a
degraded condition.

NX size core can be

broken and crushed by
hand into smaller
pieces. Rock material is
plastic and does not
readily slake in water.

Moderately
weathered

III

Less than half of rock

material in a degraded
condition.

Hammer blow makes

drumming sound;
possessing strength
such that NX core
(55mm) cannot be
broken by hand. Rock
material is not plastic.

Slightly weathered

II

Discolouration of
discontinuity weathered
surfaces and some
degradation material on
discontinuity surfaces.

Hammer blows give a

dull note. Needs more
than one blow of the
geological hammer to
break specimen.

Faintly weathered

IB

Discolouration of major
discontinuity surfaces.

Fresh

IA

No visible evidence of
weathering.