DETERMINATION OF HARD MASSS AND

ROCK MASS
-CASE STUDY –

Ir Ts Mohd Danial Bin Zammeri,

Jurutera Awam Unit Projek Khas East Coast Economic Region (ECER3)
Cawangan Jalan, Jabatan Kerja Raya Malaysia
 DETERMINATION OF HARD MASSS AND
ROCK MASS

01 02 03
CLASSIFICATION OF CONFIRMATION OF REPORT AND DATA
HARD MASS & ROCK HARD MASS AND COLLECTION TO
MASS ROCK MASS BY VERIFY HARD MASS
MACHINERY (DIRECT AND ROCK MASS
METHOD)
&
(INDIRECT METHOD :
POINT LOAD TEST).
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
Introduction
The propose of study was to determine of hard mass and rock mass at site road projects in
Kelantan state. The fieldwork was conducted for data acquisition on 8rd April 2019 to 30rd Jan
2024. This study area was located at the new road construction area. The access road that
could be used to reach the study area was via federal road 8 (FT8)
The classification is base on Standard Spesification for Road Works Section 2 : Earthwork
(JKR/SPJ/2020-S2). The compilation of this Standard Spesificatio was carried out through many
discussions by the technical committee members. Additionally, it has been presented at a
technical workshop held on February 2019
 CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS

01 Rock mass should mean fresh to moderately

weathered rock found in ledges or masses
where the excavation work depends on the
CLASSIFICATION
machinery, equipment, and production rate as
OF HARD MASS &
ROCK MASS specified as Table 2.5 JKR/SPJ/2020-Section 2.
Hard mass and rock mass should exclude
individual masses less than 0.5m3 that should
be considered as common excavation.
 CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
Hard mass could be termed as semi cemented sediments,

01
weathered rock mass and highly fractured rock mass
where the excavation work depends on the machinery and
production rate as specified
Rock mass shall mean fresh to moderately weathered rock
CLASSIFICATION found in ledges or masses where the excavation work
OF HARD MASS & depends on the machinery, equipment and production
ROCK MASS rate as specified
The ripping equipment to be attached shall have a single
shank in good working condition with sharpened cutting
point with a minimum penetration force of 120 kN.
Boulders or detached pieces shall only be regarded as rock
if they individually exceed 0.5 m3
 CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
For determination of the volume of individual

01 boulder, diameters of the boulder in three (3)

orthogonal directions shall be taken. The average of
the three (3) dimensions shall be used to calculate the
volume of boulder.
CLASSIFICATION
OF HARD MASS & Records of measurements and photographs shall be
ROCK MASS taken and recorded kept supporting the calculation of
the volume of boulder.
Confirmation of hard mass or rock mass excavation
shall be verified by direct method and indirect
method.
 CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
Trial excavation shall be carried out using the
02 machineries and equipment as specified in Sub-
Section 2.4.1 (f) and Sub-Section 2.4.1 (g) to confirm
CONFIRMATION OF that the excavated material is categorized under hard
HARD MASS AND
ROCK MASS BY mass or rock mass excavation based on its hourly
MACHINERY (DIRECT production rate.
METHOD)
& Note: If the Contractor provides to use machinery
(INDIRECT METHOD : larger than as specified above, it should be considered
POINT LOAD TEST). equivalent to the specified capacity for the purpose of
approval.
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
02
CONFIRMATION OF
HARD MASS AND
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT
METHOD)
&
(INDIRECT METHOD :
POINT LOAD TEST).
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
02
CONFIRMATION OF
HARD MASS AND
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT
METHOD)
&
(INDIRECT METHOD :
POINT LOAD TEST).
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
02
CONFIRMATION OF
HARD MASS AND
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT
METHOD)
&
(INDIRECT METHOD :
POINT LOAD TEST).
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
02
CONFIRMATION OF
HARD MASS AND
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT
METHOD)
&
(INDIRECT METHOD :
POINT LOAD TEST).
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
The determining whether an earthmoving procedure
02 was a common excavation of hard mass or rock mass
CONFIRMATION OF excavation, it was stipulated previously that the
HARD MASS AND excavator used for trial excavation and subsequent
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT
works should be in “good running condition.”
METHOD)
The trial excavation shall be carried out on a flat
&
(INDIRECT METHOD : platform (as much as possible) in order to develop the
POINT LOAD TEST). rated horsepower at maximum efficiency. All
machineries shall be run in good condition and
operated by skilled personnel approved by the S.O
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
Generally, to achieve the designed mechanical output
02 as specified in the Original Equipment Manufacturer’s
CONFIRMATION OF (OEM) performance handbook or brochure, it was
HARD MASS AND essential that the earthmoving plant concerned be
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT
kept and maintained at a high standard of
METHOD) mechanical efficiency, meaning that good up keeping
& and maintenance procedures must be strictly adhered
(INDIRECT METHOD :
to in compliance to OEM’s recommendations.
POINT LOAD TEST).
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
02
CONFIRMATION OF
HARD MASS AND
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT
METHOD)
&
(INDIRECT METHOD :
POINT LOAD TEST).

Pengesahan mesin
KOMATSU PC 450LC-8 345Hp-362Hp
dengan berat 44.4 tan untuk percubaan pengorekan batuan keras
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
02
CONFIRMATION OF
HARD MASS AND
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT
METHOD)
&
(INDIRECT METHOD :
POINT LOAD TEST).
Pemindahan Keluar hard material dari Tapak Bina
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
02
CONFIRMATION OF
HARD MASS AND
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT
METHOD)
&
(INDIRECT METHOD :
POINT LOAD TEST).

trial excavation using Excavator

CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
02
CONFIRMATION OF
HARD MASS AND
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT
METHOD)
&
(INDIRECT METHOD :
POINT LOAD TEST).

Using ripper unit excavation using Excavator

CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
02
CONFIRMATION OF
HARD MASS AND
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT
METHOD)
&
(INDIRECT METHOD :
POINT LOAD TEST).

To achieve the designed mechanical output as specified in the Original

Equipment Manufacturer’s (OEM) performance handbook or brochure
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
02
CONFIRMATION OF
HARD MASS AND
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT
METHOD)
&
(INDIRECT METHOD :
POINT LOAD TEST).

To confirm the machineries shall be run in

good condition with Borang Pemeriksaan
Jentera & Mesin/Peralatan
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
Minimum ten (10) rock samples from the excavated
02 material resulted from the direct method by trial
excavation (Sample to be tested shall have size not
CONFIRMATION OF
HARD MASS AND less than 30mm and not more than 85mm with the
ROCK MASS BY preferred dimension about 50mm according to ASTM
MACHINERY (DIRECT D5731.
METHOD)
& Indirect Method by Point Load Test Point load test
(INDIRECT METHOD : shall be carried out on excavated material for this
POINT LOAD TEST).
purpose by using portable point load tester
apparatus.
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
The provision of point load test equipment at site for
02 the abovementioned testing shall be at Contractor’s
own cost and time.
CONFIRMATION OF
HARD MASS AND The point load test apparatus shall be calibrated and a
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT
valid calibration certificate shall make available to the
METHOD) S.O. upon request. Both criteria (i.e. direct method and
& indirect method) shall be fulfilled in order for the
(INDIRECT METHOD : material to be classified as hard mass or rock mass.
POINT LOAD TEST).
Confirmation test shall be carried out again when in
S.O.’s opinion if the materials excavated are different
from the trial excavation before.
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
02 The provision of point load test equipment at site for
the abovementioned testing shall be at Contractor’s
CONFIRMATION OF
HARD MASS AND own cost and time.
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT
Both criteria (i.e. direct method and indirect method)
METHOD) shall be fulfilled in order for the material to be classified
& as hard mass or rock mass. Confirmation test shall be
(INDIRECT METHOD : carried out again when in S.O.’s opinion if the materials
POINT LOAD TEST).
excavated are different from the trial excavation before.
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
02
CONFIRMATION OF
HARD MASS AND
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT
METHOD)
&
(INDIRECT METHOD :
POINT LOAD TEST).
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
02
CONFIRMATION OF
HARD MASS AND
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT
METHOD)
&
(INDIRECT METHOD :
POINT LOAD TEST).
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
02
CONFIRMATION OF
HARD MASS AND
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT
METHOD)
&
(INDIRECT METHOD :
POINT LOAD TEST).

Sample to be tested shall have size not less than 30mm and not
more than 85mm with the preferred dimension about 50mm
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
02
CONFIRMATION OF
HARD MASS AND
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT
METHOD)
&
(INDIRECT METHOD :
POINT LOAD TEST).

Point Load Testing (PLT) done at laboratory at site project witness

by Consultant Supervision team
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
02
CONFIRMATION OF
HARD MASS AND
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT
METHOD)
&
(INDIRECT METHOD :
POINT LOAD TEST).
Pengesahan hard material di Tapak Bina bersama Bahagian
Geoteknik 1 dan Dr Ismacahyadi Bin Mohd Jais
Fakulti Kejuruteraan Awam, UiTM Shah Alam
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
02
CONFIRMATION OF
HARD MASS AND
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT Example form for
METHOD) Point Load Test (PLT)
&
(INDIRECT METHOD :
POINT LOAD TEST).
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS
02
CONFIRMATION OF
HARD MASS AND
ROCK MASS BY
MACHINERY (DIRECT
METHOD)
&
(INDIRECT METHOD :
POINT LOAD TEST).

Borang Pengesahan Pengujian yang telah disahkan dan disaksikan.

 CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS

03 All the data collection and result testing to described

the procedures of inspection to determine Rock Mass
or Hard Mass in report to justified Both criteria (i.e.
REPORT AND DATA direct method and indirect method) shall be fulfilled in
COLLECTION TO
VERIFY HARD MASS order for the material to be classified as hard mass or
AND ROCK MASS rock mass
BY MACHINERY
 CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS

03
REPORT AND DATA
COLLECTION TO
VERIFY HARD MASS
AND ROCK MASS
BY MACHINERY
CLASSIFICATION OF HARD MASS & ROCK
MASS

SEKIAN, TERIMA KASIH