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INFORMATION To The User: Use This Spreadsheet With Care
INFORMATION To The User: Use This Spreadsheet With Care
This spreadsheet combines the following three numerical, empirical engineering classification systems for estimates of ro
The Q system, developed by Barton et al. In 1974 and later revised in 1993 and in 2004.
- about the Q system, see: - Grimstad E. and Barton N. (1995): Updating the Q-system for NMT. Proc. I
- Barton, N. and Grimstad, E. (2004): The Q-system following thirty years of d
The RMR or Geomechanics system, developed by Bieniawski in 1973 and later revised in 1974, 1975, 1976, and
- about the RMR system of 1989 version, see Bieniawski Z.T. (1985): Engineering rock mass classifications
The RMi rock support system, developed by Palmstrom in 1995, partly revised in 2000.
- about the RMi system, see: - Palmström A. (2000): Recent developments in rock support estimates by th
- Palmström A. (2009): Combining the RMR, Q and RMi classification system
In the sheet 'INPUT DATA', the input ratings or values of of the parameters applied in the three systems are given either
'Calculations' sheet. As the three systems apply partly the same input parameters on rock mass and ground, the input va
'Parameters tables' sheet. For many of the parameters, common values are automatically used if no input has been giv
(degree of jointing) for a crude estimate to be made. However, the more input given, the better the result found will be.
In the sheet 'Parameters tables', tables are presented for all the input parameters. It is possible here to adjust the input r
The input parameters in 'INPUT DATA' are linked to the parameter values given in 'Parameter tables'.
The values or ratings of the input parameters used to calculate RMR, Q, and RMi values are given in the sheet 'RESULT
The stress level or the influence of the rock stresses must be assessed and input given in the 'INPUT DATA' sheet acc
The lists of input parameters in the 'INPUT DATA' sheet can be removed, see the blue cell.
Some important limitations are indicated, but there may be others not being mentioned
As there are very many functions and relations involved in the spreadsheet, errors or unaccuracies may be present. You
ng the Q-system for NMT. Proc. Int. Symp. on Sprayed Concrete, Fagernes, Norway 1993, Norwegian Concrete Association, Oslo, 20 p
Q-system following thirty years of development and application in tunneling projects. Proc. ISRM Symp. EUROCK 2004. Salzburg, Austr
revised in 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1989.
neering rock mass classifications. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 251 pp.
ts in rock support estimates by the RMi. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Tunnelling Technology, Vol. 6, No. 1 May 2000, pp. 1 – 19; also
R, Q and RMi classification systems. www.rockmass.net, 25p
he three systems are given either as input symbols or as values. The calculations are made in the
ock mass and ground, the input values of the parameters have been combined as shown in the
cally used if no input has been given. Thus, it is sufficient to insert only data for a few parameters
e better the result found will be.
possible here to adjust the input ratings or values for most of the parameters.
rameter tables'.
Observer: Note:
Rock(s):
Input symbols are shown in blue below; see also 'Parameter tables'
Input parameters
Tunnel span or diameter (Dt) (a span of 10m is used as input)
Tunnel wall height (Wt) (a wall height of 5m is used as input)
A1 Compressive strength of rock (UCS or sc): (UCS = 100MPa is used as input)
B1 RQD (Rock Quality Designation): RQD =
B2 Degree of Block volume (Vb): Vb =
B3 jointing Volumetric joint count (Jv): Jv =
B4 Joint spacing: (a = > 2m; b = 0.6 - 2m; c = 0.2 - 0.6m; d = 0.06 - 0.2m; e = < 0.06m)
C1 Block shape*): (a=cubical blocks; b=slightly long or flat blocks; c=moderately long or flat blocks; d=very long or flat blocks)
C2 Jointing Joint sets: (a = no sets; b=1 set; c=1 set+random; d=2 sets; e=2 sets+random; f=3 sets; g=3 sets+random; i = crushed)
C3 pattern Orientation of in roof
(a = very favourable; b = favourable; c = fair; d = unfavourable; e = very unfavourable)
C4 main joint set: in wall
D1 Joint Joint smoothness: (a = v. rough; b = rough; c = slightly rough; d = smooth; e = polished; f = slickensided; g = filled joints)
D2 roughness Joint undulation: (a = discontin.; b = strongly undulating; c = mod. undul.; d = slightly undul.; e = planar; g = filled joints)
No filling: (a = healed; b = fresh // no filling; c = slightly altered; d = altered; e = sand/silt coating; f = clay coat.)
Joint
D3 alteration // Filling < ca. 5mm thickness: (h = sand / silt; j = hard clay; l = soft clay; n = swelling clay)
condition
Filling > ca. 5mm thickness: (i = sand / silt; k = hard clay; m = soft clay; o = swelling clay)
D4 Joint length: (a = crack; b = parting; c = v. short (0.1-1m); d = short (1-3m); e = medium (3-10m); f = long (10-30m); g = seam or shear)
D5 Joint separation: (a = none; b = v.tight (<0.1mm); c = tight (0.1-0.5mm); d = mod.open (0.5-2.5mm); e = open (2.5-10mm); f = v. open)
E Interlocking or compactness of rockmass structure: (a = very tight; b = tight or compact ; c = disturbed; d = poorly interlocked)
F Ground water inflow to tunnel or cavern: (a = dry; b = damp; c = wet; d = dripping; e = gushing; f = flowing; g = heavily flowing)
G1 Stress level: (input for Q and RMi) (a = very low stress level; b = low stress; c = moderate / medium stress; d = high stress)
Over- Rock spalling or bursting: (e = moderate slabbing; f = rock burst; g = heavy burst) input of
G2
stressing Squeezing: (h = mild squeeze; i = heavy squeeze) SRF
H1 Type: (j = multiple zones; k = single zone <50m; l = single zone >50m; m = multiple shears; q = crushed)
Weakness
H2 zone Thickness or width of zone (m): (valid for 1 - 20m wide zones)
H3 (fault, in roof
Orientation of
etc.) (a = very favourable; b = favourable; c = fair; d = unfavourable; e = very unfavourable)
H4 zone: in wall
*)
For information: Used in the calculation of Vb from Jv
NOTE: Swelling rock is not included
Only input for one of the parameters for the "Degree of jointing" (green cells) is needed to
make a simple estimate.
and values
<-- use input symbol (S) or unit
of symbols
For the other input parameters, common1) values are automatically used if no input is given. Where
values on these other parameters are available, or can be estimated, fill in also for these to arrive at
a more accurate result.
For more details of the parameters, see the sheet 'Parameter tables'.
<-- INPUT
m
S
S
Common values:
1)
Where no input has been given, the most common values or ratings are used (except for the
- For joint spacing (input to RMR), block diameter is used as the average spacing,
- For 'Joint set number, Jn' (or Nj in the RMi system) the value generally varies with block siz
Based on this, the joint set number used is estimated according to Table C2 in
- The RQD is found from Jv (volumetric joint count) by the equation: RQD = 110 - 4.5Jv (for J
- The block volume (Vb) is found from Jv by the equation: Vb = bJv - 3
where b is the block shape factor, see sheet 'Parameter tables'
rameters tables
Project: Date:
Tunnel: Location:
Observer: Note:
Rock(s):
RMR = ? Q= ? Gc = ?
in roof
Ground quality (related to stability)
in walls RMR = ? Qwall = Gcwall = ?
Sr =
in roof - -
Blockiness (related to block instability)
Srwall =
in walls - -
Weakness zone -
Rockmass
-
stresses Potential stress problems →
Limitations
Sr = Size ratio (geometrical factor involving block diameter, tunnel span, plus number of joint sets and orientation of joints)
Gc = Ground condition factor
Reference: A. Palmström, Q-RMR-RMi, version 3, RockMass AS,
Cg = Competency of ground (Cg = scm / sq = RMi / sq) November 2012
Rock Mass
INTERIM CALCULATIONS
(Blue values and blue text can be adjusted)
RMi system
1. RMi Basic parameters 4. RMi calculations in weakness zones
Parameter Value Comment Parameter Value Comment
Rock strength sc = 100 MPa Zone width Tz = - m
js = 1.25 Cozone = - roof
Joint roughness jR = 1.75 Zone orientation
jw = 1.4 Cozone = - wall
factor
jR used = 1.75 Ground conditions in zone, RMi /GW =
1 no filling Roof condition Gcroof =
jA = filling < 5mm Wall condition Gcwall =
Joint alteration factor Sr roof =
filling >5mm roof
Size ratio zone
jA used = 1 Sr wall = wall
Joint size factor jL = 1 Tz > Dt? - roof
Zone width vs. tunnel size
Joint condition factor jC = 1.75 Tz > Wt? - wall
Block shape factor b= 36
Limit of RMi:
Block volume Vb = ? m³
Block diameter Db = ### m
Jointing parameter JP = ###
Massivity factor fs = ### 5. Rockmass continuity
Interlocking//compactness IL = 1 Roof:
Rock Mass index RMi = ? Wall:
Classification of Q
Q= 1000 - 400 Except, good
Q= 400 - 100 Extremely good
Q= 100 - 40 Very good
Q= 40 - 10 Good
Q= 10 - 4 Fair
Q= 4 - 1 Poor
Q= 1 - 0.1 Very poor
Q= 0.1 - 0.01 Extremely poor
Q= 0.01 - 0.001 Exceptionally poor
Classification of RMi
RMi = 100 - 40 Very high
RMi = 40 - 10 High
RMi = 10 - 1 Moderate
RMi = 1 - 0.4 Low
RMi = 0.4 - 0.1 Very low
RMi = 0.1 - 0.01 Extremely low
Not included
Favourable b -2 1
Fair c -5 Not included 1.5
Back Unfavourable d -10 2
Very unfavourable e -12 3
(t = joint thickness) t < 5mm t > 5mm contact *) contact **) t < ca. 5mm
No filling - 6 - - -
Friction materials (silt, sand, etc.) h // i 5 2 4 8 4
Hard, cohesive materials (clay, talc, chlorite) j // k 4 2 6 8 6
Back Soft, cohesive materials (soft clay) l // m 2 0 8 12 8
Swelling clay materials n // o 0 0 10 18 10
*) Wall contact before 10cm shear; **) No contact when sheared;
Note: Q and RMi apply a combination of joint weathering and infilling, while RMR has input of both weathering and infilling
D4 Joint length A4a = - jL =
Crack 1) (irregular break) Length < ~0.3m a 8 5
Parting (very short, thin joint) < 1m b 3
6
Very short joint 0.3 – 1m c 2
Short joint 1 – 3m d 4 Not included 1.5
Medium joint 3 – 10m e 2 1
Back Long joint 10 – 30m 2) f 1 0.75
Filled joint, seam or shear 3) > 10m g 0 0.5
1)
"Crack" has been introduced in this spreadsheet; 2)
Length 10 – 20 m is applied in the RMR; 3)
Used in cases where most joints in the location are filled
D5 Joint separation or aperture (A) A4b = - -
None a 6
Very tight
A < 0.1mm b 5
Tight 0.1 – 0.5mm
c 4
0.5 - 1mm Partly included in
Moderately open Not included 'Interlocking of
1 – 2.5mm rockmass structure'
d 1
2.5 - 5mm
Open
Back 5 - 10mm
e 0
Very open 10 - 25mm
E INTERLOCKING OF ROCKMASS STRUCTURE RMR Q RMi
Compactness of rockmass input - - IL =
Very tight structure Undisturbed rock mass, well interlocked a 1.3
Tight structure Undisturbed rock mass with some joint sets b Partly included in 1
'Joint separation or Not included
Back Disturbed / open Folded / faulted with angular blocks c aperture' 0.8
Poorly interlocked Broken with angular and rounded blocks d 0.5
NOTE: Interlocking has been introduced in this spreadsheet based on its effects presented in the GSI system
RMi
-
Vb =
Actual value of Vb
RMi
bused =
27
36
75
250
750 Estimated Jv, based on Vb, when input for C2 is
Nj = BLOCK VOLUME (Vb) in m³ Possible number of JOINT SETS
6 15 m³ or more No or few joints
3 5 - 15 1 joint set
2 1 - 5 1 joint set + random joints
1.5 0.1 - 1 2 joint sets
1.2 0.01 - 0.1 2 joint sets + random joints
1 0.001 - 0.01 3 joint sets
0.85 0.0001 - 0.001 3 joint sets + random joints
0.6 0.00001 - 0.0001 4 joint sets or more; heavily jointed
0.5 In one WALL In opposite WALL In ROOF
TERM
Co = strike (o) dip (o) strike (o) dip (o) dip (o)
1 Very favourable > 70 all > 70 all > 60
all strikes
1 Favourable < 20 < 20 < 20 < 20 45 - 60
all strikes
1.5 < 20 20 - 45 < 20 < 60
Fair 30 - 45
2 20 - 70 < 45 20 - 70 all
3 Unfavourable 20 - 70 45 - 90 < 20 > 60 15 - 30
Very unfavourable < 20 45 - 90 - - ≤ 15
RMi
js =
2
1.5
1.25
1
0.75
0.5
1
jw =
4
2.5
2
1.4
1
1
jA =
0.75
1
2
4
3
Range of Ja and jA given in the
no wall
4
Q and in the RMi contact
systems
-
jA = wall contact or t > ca.
t > ca. 5mm or t < ca. 5mm 5mm
-
8 <-- 4 8
8 <-- 6 5 - 10
12 <-- 8 12
18 <-- 8 - 12 13 - 20
jL =
5
3
2
1.5
1
0.75
0.5
d
-
Partly included in
'Interlocking of
rockmass structure'
RMi
IL =
1.3
The rating
1 values are
<--
0.8 based on the
GSI system
0.5
RMi
-
Type of weakness
zones and shears are
not explicitly included
in RMi
Rock support
Ground class Excavation (drill and blast) Rock bolts
(20 mm diam., fully bonded)
1.Very good rock Full face:
Generally no support required except for occasio
RMR: 81-100 3m advance
2. Good rock Full face: Locally bolts in crown, 3m long,
RMR: 61-80 1.0 - 1.5m advance; spaced 2.5m with occasional
Complete support 20 m from face wire mesh
3. Fair rock Top heading and bench:
RMR: 41-60 1.5 - 3m advance in top heading; Systematic bolts 4m long,
spaced 1.5 - 2m in crown and
Commence support after each blast; walls with wire mesh in crown
Commence support 10 m from face
4. Poor rock Top heading and bench:
Systematic bolts 4 - 5m long,
RMR: 21-40 1.0 - 1.5m advance in top heading;
spaced 1 - 1.5m in crown and
Install support concurrently with excavation - 10 m walls with wire mesh
from face
5. Very poor rock Multiple drifts:
RMR < 21 0.5 - 1.5m advance in top heading; Systematic bolts 5 - 6m long,
spaced 1 - 1.5m in crown and
Install support concurrently with excavation; walls with wire mesh. Bolt invert
shotcrete as soon as possible after blasting
Rock support
Example: For Gc = 2 and Sr = 30, estimated support is 80mm thick fibre reinforced shotcrete and rock bolts spaced 1.4m
The RMi rock support chart for overstressed rock
Example For moderate rock bursting, estimated support is 90mm thick fibre reinforced shotcrete and rock bolts spaced 1.8m
ts spaced 1.8m
Some rock properties
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
Siltstone 10 - 80 - 180 9.6 Greenschist 65 - 75 - 85
Tuff 3 - 25 - 150 Greenstone 120 - 170 - 280
Andesite 75 - 140 - 300 18.9 Greywacke 100 - 120 - 145
Anorthosite 40 - 125 - 210 Marble 60 - 130 - 230
Basalt 100 - 165 - 355 (17) Mica gneiss 55 - 80 - 100
Diabase (dolerite) 227 - 280 - 319 15.2 Mica quartzite 45 - 85 - 125
Diorite 100 - 140 - 190 (27) Mica schist 20 - 80 - 170
IGNEOUS ROCKS
SOIL
Rating of
the factor
mi
(see notes)
31.2
(31)
(30)
(30)
29.2
(30)
(20)
9.3
(30)
(25)
(15)
(13)
23.7
11.4
(10)