Group Assignment Sem I 2020/2021

Question 1

1a) The properties of rock fall into two broad classes: rock material properties relating to the rock
itself and rock mass properties relating to the in-place rock mass, including its discontinuities.
Rock material properties that are essential in assessing hydraulic erodibility of rock include rock type,
colour, particle size, texture, hardness, and strength. Seismic velocity, weathering, and secondary
cavities are properties related to both the rock material and mass. Rock material properties can be
described in the field using qualitative methods and simple classification tests, or, if necessary, in the
laboratory using standardized tests. The results are applicable to hand specimens and representative
samples of rock material.
Rock mass properties are comprised of features generally observed, measured, and documented in the
field for in-place rock. Discontinuities are distinct breaks or interruptions in the integrity of a rock
mass that convert a rock mass into a discontinuous assemblage of blocks, plates, or irregular discrete
rock particles. A discrete rock particle is an intact fragment of rock material whose shape and size are
initially defined by the discontinuities that form its margins.

1b) In terms of capability of rocks to sustain loads, material properties of rocks tends to be lower. The
strength and mechanical behaviour of the rock mass are commonly dominated more by the nature of
its mass properties than by its material properties. A rock mass comprised of even the strongest intact
rock material is greatly weakened by the occurrence of closely spaced discontinuities. Material
properties, however, tend to control the strength of the rock mass if discontinuities are widely spaced
or if the intact rock material is inherently weak or altered. Discontinuities within a rock mass,
therefore, reduce its strength and stability and reduce the energy required to excavate or erode it.
1c)
No Term/Property
1 Safe Bearing Pressure (SBP) of bedrock Mass
2 Weathering Zone (Zone 1 to Zone 6) Mass
3 Slake Durability Index, SDI Material
4 Rock Quality Designation, RQD Mass
5 Weathering Grade (Grade I to Grade VI) Material
6 Uniaxial Compressive Strength, UCS Mass
7 Average Young’s Modulus, E Material
8 Primary-wave velocity (Vp) from field seismic survey Material
1d)
i) Sample iii

ii) Sample iv

iii) The (i) and (ii) exhibits same level of strength because both have least number of joints
and micro-cracks. The sample (ii) has minimum number of joints which is one horizontal
joint. It will result the similar stress-strain behaviour as sample (i).

iv) Sample (v) will display lowest compressive strength because it has several discontinuities
such as cross joint compared to other samples and it leads to weathering and weakens the
rock sample. The weaken rock will require least compressive strength.

1e) Table B2: Stress-strain data for uniaxial compression test on

Normal stress (Mpa) Uniaxial strain (%) Lateral Strain (%)

0.0 0.0000 0.0000
5.0 0.0319 -0.0150
10.0 0.0720 -0.0275
15.0 0.1025 -0.0425
20.0 0.1450 -0.0600
25.0 0.1755 -0.0725
30.0 0.2150 -0.0875
35.0 0.2455 -0.1025
41.0 0.2815 -0.1125
46.0 0.3125 -0.1209
52.0 0.3515 -0.1285
58.0 0.4000 -0.1325

0.5000

0.4000 y = 0.0068x + 0.0027

R² = 0.9989

0.3000
Strain (%)

0.2000
Uniaxial strain (%)
0.1000 Lateral Strain (%)

0.0000
0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0

-0.1000
y = -0.0024x - 0.0073
R² = 0.9747
-0.2000
Normal stress (Mpa)
1f) y=mx + b
m= gradient = average slope

Average Young's Modulus, Eave of = 0.0068

Poisson's ratio, v = - slope of uniaxial stress strain curve

slope of lateral strain
v = - 0.0068
(-0.0024)
v = 2.8333
Question 3

3a) Rock Mass A will have RQD value less than 30%, whereas the Rock Mass B will have
RQD value more than 80%.

3b) Wedge failure occurs when there is a rock mass slide along two intersecting discontinuities
whereas rock fall occurs due to orientation and spacing of the discontinuities plane with respect
to the slope face which form loose rocks or boulders on the slope.

In detail, wedge failures occur when the lithology or rock mass is present with conditions such
as inclined bedding, foliation and well defined cleavages where it exposed by excavations that
daylight the line of intersection which forms the axis of sliding, precipitating movement of the
rock mass either along both planes simultaneously or along the steeper of the two planes in the
direction of maximum dip.

For rock fall, it occurs when once any size of rock mass is detached from a steep slope where
there is little shear resistance. Rock falls are usually initiated by a change in the forces acting
on the rock. This is triggered by climatic or biologic events such as rainfall where it erodes the
surrounding materials in rock and releasing constraining pressure on the rock.

3c)
Rock Mass A will be very likely displaying unstability due to wedge failure.
Rock Mass B will be very likely displaying unstability due to rock fall.

3d) The reinforcement for this rock slope is by using anchors and bolts. This method will
stabilize a slope against shear failure and the bolts are sufficiently stiff to prevent movement
on the natural fractures.

3e) The first method that would like to recommend to support the slope in Figure 6(b) is to
proceed with simple drapery systems with a proper anchorage that can be used over the face of
the slope that would guide the rock masses to accumulate at the foot of the slope. The second
rock support methods suitable for this slope is rock fall barriers in the form of fences,
embankments can be constructed that will be very effective in absorbing the energy carried by
the rocks.

3f) By installing wire-mesh, it helps as a frame to hold the shotcrete in place. The wire which
is closely attached to the rock surface and fully encased in shotcrete, with care being eliminate
voids within shotcrete. Besides, it will increase its tensile strength, stand-up time and rock-
bonding potential, as well as the overall stability of the rock mass. Therefore, it is highly
recommended to install wire-mesh and shotcrete together.