ROCK MASS RATING (RMR)

Introduction

This study was carried out on Rock Mass Rating (RMR) at Tai Pei Tong Tunnel at Sg Lembing,
Pahang. Rock mass can be classified by using Geomechanics Classification or the Rock Mass
Rating (RMR) system as established by Bieniawski (1976). RMR has been applied in more than
268 case histories such as in tunnels, chambers, mines, slopes, foundations and rock caverns. RMR
is easy to use and versatility in engineering practice. It should be observed that the RMR system
is calibrated using experiences from coalmines, civil engineering excavations and tunnels at
shallow depths.

When applying RMR classification system, the rock mass should be divided into a number of
structural regions and classifies each region separately. The following six parameters are used to
classify a rock mass using the RMR system:

1. Uniaxial compressive strength of rock material.

2. Rock Quality Designation (RQD).
3. Spacing of discontinuities.
4. Condition of discontinuities.
5. Groundwater conditions.
6. Orientation of discontinuities

Equipment and Materials

1. Measuring Tape
2. Fracture gauge/ Ruler
3. Schmidt’s Rebound Hammer
4. Touch Light/ Head Torch/ Headlamp
5. RMR system (Table)
Procedure to Classify Rock Mass Using RMR

Step 1: Outcrop Preparation

Outcrop on the tunnel wall has been choose with distance of 1m as shown in Figure 1. Measuring
tape is used to set up the distance.

Figure 1 shown that 1m of outcrop

Step 2: Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS)

The UCS of rock mass based on the average value of rebound hammer (SRV) was determined.

Point Rebound Hammer

1 36
2 30
3 26.5
4 32
5 33
6 24
7 26.5
8 48
9 4
10 22
11 22
12 26.5
Average 30.5
Therefore, based on Schmidt’s Rebound Hammer Graph our Uniaxial Compressive Strength
(UCS) is 24𝑁𝑚𝑚2

Step 3: Rock Quality Designation (RQD)

Palmström (1982) suggested that, when no core is available but discontinuity traces are visible in
surface exposures or exploration adits, the RQD might be estimated from the number of
discontinuities per unit volume as equation

𝑅𝑄𝐷 = 115 − 3.3𝐽𝑣

Where Jv is the total number of Joints per m3 and RQD =100 for Jv < 4.5 (Palmstrom, 1974).

Palmstrom (2005) defined Jv as the number of joints intersecting a volume of one m³. Where the
jointing occurs mainly as joint sets can be determined using

1 1 1 1
𝐽𝑣 = + + +⋯
𝑆1 𝑆2 𝑆3 𝑆𝑛
Where S1, S2 and S3 are the average spacing for the joint sets.

Therefore,

Joint Set Average Spacing

S1 1/8
S2 1/8
S3 1/3
S4 1/4

1 1 1 1
𝐽𝑣 = + + + = 23
1/8 1/8 1/3 1/4

𝑅𝑄𝐷 = 115 − 3.3(23) = 39.1

Step 4: Spacing of discontinuities

Spacing of discontinuities can be measured using scan line method or Circular mapping Window.
Average of Spacing can be determined using equation below as proposed by Palmstrom (2005).

𝑆1 + 𝑆2 + 𝑆3 … + 𝑆𝑛
𝑆𝑎 =
𝑛

Where S1, S2, S3, etc. are average spacing for each of the joint sets and n is the number of joint
set.

Therefore, based on our data

1 1 1 1
+ + +
𝑆𝑎 = 8 8 3 4
4
𝑆𝑎 = 0.2083 = 208𝑚𝑚

Step 5: Condition of discontinuities

Discontinuities condition can be determined based on

i. Persistence: Can be measured by measuring tape.

ii. Aperture (Joint Opening): Using Ruler or Fracture gauge.
iii. Roughness: Rub your palm or finger on joint surface.
iv. Infilling (gouge): See by gross eyes on the material condition inside joint aperture.
v. Weathering: See on iron stain along joint wall, friability, colors, texture.

Criteria Condition
Persistence Less than 1m
Aperture (Joint Opening More than 5mm
Roughness Slightly rough
Infilling (gouge) Soft filing, Less than 5mm
Weathering Slightly weathered

Some condition are mutually exclusive, For example, if infilling is present; the roughness of the
surface will be overshadowed by the influence of the gouge, in such cases use Part A-4 from Table
1 directly.

If the discontinuities condition is worst and the criteria is not available in Part A-4, See Table 1,
and Part–E for discontinuity with various conditions

Step 6: Groundwater conditions

Groundwater condition can be determined based on gross eyes observation on the tunnel wall
whether completely dry, damp, wet, dripping or flowing. For more detail classification and rating,
see Table 1, Part A-5. Based on our field work place, the tunnel whether completely wet.

Step 7: Orientation of discontinuities

Due unpredictable discontinuity strike and dip orientation in rock mass for various structure
constructions, some rating adjustment is needed especially for tunnel construction. Orientation of
discontinuity is classified based on strike and dip orientations into five categories. See Table 1,
Part B. See Figure below for: a) Strike parallel to tunnel axis, and b) Strike perpendicular to tunnel
axis.
Figure shown the strike parallel to tunnel axis

Figure shown the strike perpendicular to tunnel axis

 Table 1 Rock Mass Rating System (After Bieniawski, 1989)

A. CLASSIFICATION PARAMETERS AND THEIR RATINGS

Parameter Range of values

1 Strength of Point-load >10 MPa 4 – 10 MPa 2 – 4 MPa 1 – 2 MPa For this low
intact rock strength index range –
material uniaxial
compressive
strength test is
preferred
Uniaxial comp. >250 MPa 100 – 250 MPa 50 – 100 MPa 25 – 50 MPa 5 – 25 MPa 1 – 5 MPa < 1 Mpa
strength
Rating 15 12 7 4 2 1 0
2 Drill core Quality 90% - 100% 75% - 90% 50% - 75% 25% - 50% < 25%
RQD
Rating 20 17 13 8 3
3 Spacing of > 2.0 m 0.6 – 2.0 m 200 – 600 mm 60 – 200 mm < 60 mm
Discontinuities
Rating 20 15 10 8 5
4 Condition of Very rough Slightly rough Slightly rough Slickensided Soft gouge > 5
discontinuities surface surface surface surfaces mm thick
(See E) Not continuous Separation < 1 Separation < 1 or Gouge < 5 mm or Separation > 5
No separation mm mm thick mm
Unweathered wall Slightly Highly weathered or Separation 1-5 Continuous
rock weathered walls walls mm
Continuous
Rating 30 25 20 10 0
5 Groundwater Inflow per 10 None < 10 10 – 25 > 125
m tunnel 25 – 125
length (l/m)
(Joint water press)/ 0 < 0.1 0.1 – 0.2 0.2 – 0.5 > 0.5
(Major principal σ)
General conditions Completely dry Damp Wet Dripping Flowing
Rating 15 10 7 4 0

B. RATING ADJUSTMENT FOR DISCONTINUITY ORIENTATIONS (See F)

Strike and dip Very favourable Favourable Fair Unfavourable Very Unfavourable
orientations
Ratings Tunnels & mines 0 -2 -5 - 10 - 12
Foundations 0 -2 -7 - 15 - 25
Slopes 0 -5 - 25 - 50

C. ROCK MASS CLASSES DETERMINED FROM TOTAL RATINGS

Rating 100 ← 81 80 ← 61 60 ← 41 < 20

40 ← 21

Class number I II III IV V

Description Very good rock Good rock Fair rock Poor rock Very poor rock

D. MEANING OF ROCK CLASSES

Class number I II III IV V

Average stand-up 20 yrs for 15 m span 1 year for 10 m span 1 week for 5 m span 10 hrs for 2.5 m span 30 min for 1 m span
time
Cohesion of rock > 400 300 – 400 200 – 300 100 – 200 < 100
mass (kPa)
Friction angle of rock > 45 35 – 45 25 – 35 15 – 25 < 15
mass (deg)

E. GUIDELINES FOR CLASSIFICATION OF DISCONTINUITY conditions

Discontinuity length <1m 1–3m 3 – 10 m 10 – 20 m > 20 m

(persistence) 6 4 2 1 0
Rating
Separation (aperture) None < 0.1 mm 0.1 – 1.0 m 1 – 5 mm > 5 mm
Rating 6 5 4 1 0
Roughness Very rough Rough Slightly rough Smooth Slickensided
Rating 6 5 3 1 0
Infilling (gouge) None Hard filling < 5 mm Hard filling > 5 mm Soft filling < 5 mm Soft filling > 5 mm
Rating 6 4 2 2 0
Weathering Unweathered Slightly weathered Moderately Highly weathered Decomposed
Rating 6 5 weathered 1 0
3

F. EFFECT OF DISCONTINUITY STRIKE AND DIP ORIENTATION IN TUNNELLING**

Strike perpendicular to tunnel axis Strike parallel to tunnel axis

Drive with dip – Dip 45º - 90º Drive with dip – Dip 20º - 45º Dip 45º - 90º Dip 20º - 45º
Very favourable Favourable Very unfavourable Fair
Drive against dip – Dip 45º - 90º Drive against dip – Dip 20º - 45º Dip 0º - 20º - Irrespective of strike
Fair Unfavourable Fair
* Some condition are mutually exclusive, For example, if infilling is present; the roughness of the surface will be overshadowed by the influence of
the gouge, in such cases use A.4 directly.
** Modified
Step 8: Rock Mass Classification

Rock Mass Classification based on TOTAL Rating: Class Number and Description of rock mass
is classified Total Rating

Table Item Value Rating

1: A.1 UCS 24Mpa 2
1: A.2 RQD 39.1% 8
1: A.3 Spacing of 208mm 10
discontinuities
1: A.4 Condition of  Slightly rough surface 25
discontinuities  Separation < 1mm
 Slightly weathered walls

1: A.5 Groundwater Wet 7

1: B Adjustment for joint  Strike parallel to tunnel -12
orientation axis
 Dip 45°-90°
Total 40
 Step 9: Guidelines for Excavation & Tunnel Support

In order to purpose an excavation and support system in a tunnel, Total Rating from RMR value
can be used on Table 2.

Table 2 Guidelines for excavation and support of 10 m span rock tunnels in accordance with the
RMR system (After Bieniawski, 1989)

Rock bolts
Rock mass class Excavation (20 mm diameter, Shotcrete Steel sets
fully grouted)
I – Very good rock Full face, Generally, no support required except
RMR: 81 - 100 3 m advance. spot bolting.
Locally, bolts in
Full face,
crown 3 m long,
II – Good rock 1 – 1.5 m advance. 50 mm in crown
spaced 2.5 m with None.
RMR: 61 - 80 Complete support where required.
occasional wire
20 m from face.
mesh.
Top heading and
bench,
1.5 – 3 m advance Systematic bolts 4
in top heading. m long spaced 1.5 50 - 100 mm in
III – Fair rock
Commence – 2 m in crown and crown and 30 mm None.
RMR: 41 - 60
support after each walls with wire in sides.
blast. mesh in crown.
Complete support
10 m from face.
Top heading and
bench,
Systematic bolts
1 – 1.5 m advance
4.5 m long spaced 100 - 150 mm in Light to medium
IV – Poor rock in top heading.
1.0 – 1.5 m in crown and 100 ribs spaced 1.5 m
RMR: 21 - 40 Install support
crown and walls mm in sides. where required.
concurrently with
with wire mesh.
excavation, 10 m
from face.
Multiple drifts
0.5-1.5 m advance
Systematic bolts 5- Medium to heavy
in top heading.
6 m long spaced 150 - 200 mm in ribs spaced 0.75 m
Install support
V – Very poor rock 1.0 – 1.5 m in crown and 150 with steel lagging
concurrently with
RMR: < 20 crown and walls mm in sides, and and fore poling if
excavation,
with wire mesh. 50 mm on face. required. Close
Shotcrete as soon
Bolt invert. invert
as possible after
blasting.
Step 10: Application from Field Work Study