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. High-quality 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:

Classification table [edit]

From the RQD index the rock mass can be classified as follows:

RQD Rock mass quality

<25% completely weathered rock
25-50% weathered rock
51-75% moderately weathered rock
76-90% Hard rock
91-100% Fresh rock