Tishk International University

Engineering Faculty
Petroleum & Mining Eng. Department

Rock Mechanics PTR 339

Lecture 5-Part 2
3rd. Grade- Fall Semester 2021-2022

Instructor: Professor, Dr. Hamed M. Jassim

Quantitative Systems for Tunneling:

1) Rock Mass Rating (RMR)

2) Q-system

3) Mining Rock Mass Rating (MRMR)

1) Rock Mass Rating (RMR) System is a geomechanical

classification system for rocks, developed by Z. T. Bieniawski
between 1972 and 1973.
It combines the most significant geologic parameters
of influence and represents them with one overall
comprehensive index of rock mass quality. This index
can be used for the design and construction of
excavations in rock, such as:

Tunnels,

Mines,

Slopes and,
Foundations.
The following tables or chart illustrate that:
The Rock Mass Rating RMR System:

This RMR System classifies the rock mass according to 6

parameters:
1- UCS (Uniaxial Comp. Strength).

2- RQD (Rock Quality Designation).

3- Spacing of discount.

4- Condition of discontinuities.

5- Groundwater conditions.

6- Orientation of discontinuities.
The following table 4.4-Section A of the RMR System
gives the ratings for the first five parameters which
are listed below in numerical data according to the
shown criteria:

1- UCS (Uniaxial Comp. Strength).

2- RQD (Rock Quality Designation).

3- Spacing of discount.

4- Condition of discontinuities.

5- Groundwater conditions.
The following section E of table 4.4 outlines the
guidelines for the Classification of Discontinuity
conditions together with their ratings ( or numerical
values).

Each discontinuity condition description has been

given a specific rating to be entered in table 4.4-
Section A.
The following section F of table 4.4 outlines the
effect of discontinuity strike and dip orientation in
Tunnelling or Mine Roadways for two cases: One is
when the strike is perpendicular to the tunnel axis
and the other is when the strike is parallel to the
tunnel axis.
The following section B of table 4.4 gives the rating
adjustments for discontinuity orientations which
were defined in section F.
The rating adjustment are given for three groups of
projects:
• Tunnels and Mines.
• Foundations.
• Slopes.
The following chart outlines the design criteria and
amount of support requirement for the different
parameters.

It also represents an Output Chart for determining

Stand Up Time for Tunnels (which means how long
can an unsupported tunnel stay safe without being
subjected to collapse) as a function of RMR.
Output Chart for determining Stand Up Time for Tunnels as a function of RMR :
Output Chart for estimating tunnel support as a function of tunnel span and RMR rating:
To summarize, we have dealt in this lecture with
introducing Quantitative Systems for Tunneling which
include:

1) Rock Mass Rating (RMR)

2) Q-system

3) Mining Rock Mass Rating (MRMR)

We have illustrated the parameters which determine

each system and presented some design charts.