RQD ./, J.

Q —
J. J, SRF (5.1)

5 where RQD = rock quality designation,

J.
J,
J.
1.
joint set number.
= joint roughness number,
a joint alteration number.
J. = joint water reduction number,

Q-System SRF = stress reduction factor.

The rock quality can range from Q = 0.001 to e = 1000 on a logarithmic

rock mass quality scale.
Few things are created and perfected at the some time.
—Thomas Edison
5.1 CLASSIFICATION PROCEDURES

' ..• The Q-system of rock masselassification was developedin:Norway in 1974
by Barton, Lien, and Lunde, all of the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute.
Its development represented- a major contribution to thesubjeci of rock mass
• ' classification for a number of reasons: the system was proposed on the basis
of an analysis of 212 tunnel case histories from Scandinavia, it is a
quantitative - classification system, and it is an engineering system
facilitating the design of tunnel supports.
The Q-system is based on a numerical assessment of the rock mass quality
using six different parameters:
I. RQD.
2. Number of joint sets.
3. Roughness of the most unfavorable joint or discontinuity.
4. Degree of alteration or filling along the weakest joint.
5. Water inflow.
6. Str e ss c ond ition.
Table 5.1 gives the numerical values of each of the classification parameters.
They are interpreted as follows: The first two parameters represent the overall
structure of the rock mass, and their quotient is a relative measure of the
block size. The quotient of the third and the fourth parameters is said to be
an indicator of the intetblock shear strength (of the joints). The fifth parameter
a measure of water pressure. while the sixth parameter is a measure of
arloogening load in the case of shear zones and clay bearing rock, by rock
siiess in competent
. rock, and c) squeezing and swelling toads in plastic
incompetent rock. This sixth parameter is regarded as the "total stress"
parameter. The:quotient of the fifth and the sixth parameters describes the
"active stress."
Barton et al. (1974) consider the parameters and J. as playing a
more important role than joint orientation, and if joint orientation had been
included. the classification would have been less general. However,
orientation is implicit in parameters!, and!, because they apply to the most
unfavorable joints.
The Q value is related to tunnel support requirements by defining the
equivalent dimensions of the excavation. This equivalent dimension,
which is a function of both the size and the purpose of the excavation, is
obtained by dividing the span, diameter, or the wall height of the excavation
by a quantity called the excavation support ratio (ESR). Thus

These six parameters arc grouped into three quotients to give the overall Equivalent dimension span or height (m)
rock mass quality Q as follows: ESR (5.2)