Rock mass classifcation

Prepared by:reda saad abd elazeem

Prepared to DR:AYMAN HAMED

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OBJECT
IVES
WHY?
METHOD
HOW?

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WHY
?To divide a particular rock mass into groups of
similar behavior.
 To provide a basis for understanding
the characteristics of each group.
 To facilitate the planning and the design of
excavations in rock by yielding quantitative data
required for the solution of real engineering
problems.
 To provide a common basis for effective
communication among all persons concerned
with a tunneling project. 3
GEOMECHANICS CLASSIFICATION
(RMR)
 Developed by Bieniawski's in 1973.
 Determined from 49 case histories
 Parameters
 a.
Uniaxial compressive strength of intact rock
material.
 b. Rock quality designation (RQD).
 c. Spacing of discontinuities.
 d. Orientation of discontinuities.
 e. Condition of discontinuities.
 f. Groundwater conditions.
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STRENGTH TEST
 Point load strength index
test 𝑃
𝑆𝐼 

𝐷𝐸
a) Diametrical test
o P=Load at b) Axial
test
failure
o 𝐷𝐸 Distance
between
cones.
 UCS=24* 𝑆𝐼 for 50 a c) Block test
 mm di
UCS=(14+0.175*D) .
𝑆
*𝐼

d) Irregular lump
test 5
  Uni-axial
compressive test
 UCS=P/A
o P= Load at failure
o A= cross-sectional
area of specimen
 Specimen should not
be store more than
30 days.

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RQD
Ifcore sample
not available
o RQD=115-
3.3Jv

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 SPACING OF DISCONTINUITIES
In a zone specified, spacing of at least three set of
discontinuities is measured in a direction
perpendicular to them.
The measuring for two set of discontinuities
will be considered conservative.

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 CONDITION OF DISCONITINUITIES
Condition of discontinuities is measured by
observing the persistence, aperture, roughness,
infilling materials and degree of weathering.
Roughness or the nature of the asperities in
the discontinuity surfaces is an important
parameter characterizing the condition of
discontinuities.

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a.Very rough. Near vertical steps and ridges occur
on the discontinuity surface.
b. Rough. Some ridge and side-angle steps are evident;
asperities are clearly visible; and discontinuity surface feels
very
abrasive.
c.Slightly rough. Asperities on the discontinuity
surfaces are distinguishable and can be felt.
d. Smooth. Surface appears smooth and feels so to the
touch.
e.Slickensided. Visual evidence of polishing exists.
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 ORIENTATION OF DISCONTINUITIES
Orientationof discontinuities is determined
by the measurement of the dip and strike.
Tunnel axis orientation either parallel to
strike or perpendicular to strike affect the
stability of the tunnel.

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 GROUNDWATER CONDITIONS
In the case of tunnels, the rate of inflow of groundwater per 10 m
length is determined.
General condition can be described as completely dry, damp, wet,
dripping, and flowing.
 If
actual water pressure data are available
water pressure
major principal
stress
Major principal stress is vertical stress which is determined from the
depth below surface and increases with depth at 1.1 psi per foot of
the depth below surface.

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 Consider a slightly weathered quartzite in which a 20-ft-span tunnel is to be
driven. The following classification parameters were determined:

Items Value Rating

Uniaxial strength 155 MPa 12

RQD 85 % 17

Spacing of discontinuity 2.1 m 20

Condition of 12
discontinuity( gouge
absent)
Groundwater Moderate inflow (wet) 7

Orientation of discontinuity Fair -5

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 Final RMR value= 63. Then,
 Grade of rock=Second Class; good rock
 Stand up time= 1 year for 10 m span
Since our tunnel has 20 ft. span so stand up
time = 1 month from graph.
Rock mass modulus= 0.37*10^6 psi.

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 Guidelines for excavation and support of 10 m span rock tunnels in
accordance
with the RMR system
Rock bolts (20
Rock mass class Excavation mm diameter, Shotcrete Steel sets
fully grouted)
I - Very good
rock RMR: 81- Full face, 3 m advance. Generally no support required except spot bolting.
100
Locally, bolts in
Full face , 1-1.5 m advance. 50 mm in
II - Good rock crown 3 m long,
Complete support 20 m crown where None.
RMR: 61-80 spaced 2.5 m with
from face. required.
occasional wire mesh.
Top heading and bench Systematic bolts 4 m
50-100 mm
1.5-3 m advance in top long, spaced 1.5 - 2
III - Fair rock in crown and
heading. Commence support m in crown and walls None.
RMR: 41- 30 mm in
after each blast. Complete with wire mesh in
60 sides.
support 10 m from face. crown.
Top heading and bench Systematic bolts 4-5 100-150 mm
1.0-1.5 m advance in Light to medium ribs
IV - Poor rock m long, spaced 1-1.5 in crown and
top heading. Install spaced 1.5 m where
RMR: 21-40 m in crown and 100 mm in
support required.
walls with wire sides.
concurrently with mesh.
excavation, 10 m from face.
Multiple drifts 0.5-1.5 m Systematic bolts 5-6 150-200 mm Medium to heavy
advance in top heading. m long, spaced 1-1.5 in crown, 150 ribs spaced 0.75 m
V – Very poor
Install support concurrently m in crown and mm in sides, with steel lagging
rock RMR: < 20
with excavation. Shotcrete as walls with wire and 50 mm and fore poling if
soon as possible after mesh. Bolt invert. on face. required.
blasting. Close invert.
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NORWEGIAN
Q-SYSTEM
Developed by Norwegian scientist in 1974 A.D.

Proposed after the study of 200 tunnel case histories.

 It is a quantitative classification system
 Engineering system enabling the design of tunnel
supports
 Six parameters:
 RQD
number of joint sets
roughness of the most unfavorable joint or
discontinuity
degree of alteration or filling along the weakest joint
water inflow
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stress condition
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 𝐷𝑤𝑟𝑄 𝑅𝐽
 𝑄

𝐹𝑛 𝑅𝑎𝐽 𝐽𝑆

Wh e r e,
𝑹 𝑸𝑫


𝑱
𝒓𝑱 = measure of relative block
𝒏
 = interlock block strength of
𝑱size
𝒂
joints
𝑱𝒘
 = empirical factor describing the 'active
𝑺𝑹𝑭
stress'.

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  The following steps are involved in applying
the Q- System:
 Classifythe relevant rock mass quality.
 Choose the optimum dimensions of excavation.
 Estimate the appropriate permanent support.

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𝐭 𝐞𝐦𝐚 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐧
𝐬𝐨 𝐢 𝐭 𝐚𝐯𝐚 𝐜 𝐱𝐄
 𝐃 𝐞 𝐄𝐒𝐑
Excavation Support Ratio (ESR) is related to the use for which the
excavation is intended and the extent to which some degree of
instability is acceptable.

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 The length of bolt is not specified in the support
table but must be calculated from the equation
 𝐵

𝐿
𝑅𝑆𝐸
where B is the excavation width

 The maximum unsupported span can be

obtained by
Maximum unsupported span=2(ESR)
Q0.4

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  Perm anent pressure at


roof; −
 ∗
𝑓 𝑜𝑜 𝑃
𝑟 𝐽𝑟 
𝑄 
If
 no of joint set is less than three, the
equation is expressed as,
 −
 

 ∗ 𝑄 ∗ 𝑛
𝑃
𝑓 𝑜𝑜 𝑟 𝐽𝑟 
 ∗  𝐽 


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Consider a water tunnel of 9-in (29.5 ft) span in a phyllite rock
mass.

 The following is known:

Joint set 1: Smooth, planar Jr=1.0
Chlorite coatings
Ja=4.0 15 joints per
meter
Joint set 2: Smooth, undulating
Jr = 2
Slightly altered walls Ja
= 2 5 joints per meter
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 Jv = 15 + 5 = 20
 RQD = 115 - 3.3 Jv =50 percent
 Jn =4
 Most unfavorable Jr/Ja = 1/4
 Minor water inflows: Jw = 1.0
 Uniaxial compressive strength of phyllite: 40 MPa
 Major principal stress: 3 MP
 Minor principal stress: 1 Mpa
 Major and minor principal stress are virgin stress.
 Thus: Ma /mi= 3 and UCS/ Ma =13.3 (medium stress),
SRF = 1.0
 Q=3.1 (poor)
 Support estimate: B - 9 m, ESR - 1.6 for water tunnel
 B/ESR = 4.6
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  Thus from graph,
 Reinforcement categories= Systematic bolting with
unreinforced
= 2.09
𝑅𝑆𝐸  
 m
Maximum unsupported span=2(ESR)
Q0.4 = 5.03

 m

 −
 
𝑓 𝑜 𝑜𝐽 ∗
 𝑃
𝑟𝑄 𝑟
 =1 .37
psi
 For temporary support, determination, either Q is increased
to 5Q or ESR is increased to 1.5 ESR.

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RMI
METHO
 Developed by Palmstorm in 1995.
 It is composed of mainly four jointing
D characteristics
 Block volume or density of joints
 Joint roughness
 Joint alteration and
 Joint size

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  This main principle of Rock Mass index is
expressed
𝑴
𝑹𝒊 𝝈 𝒄 as
JP
where, 𝜎=
𝑐 uniaxial compressive strength of intact rock
(Mpa)
PJ =th𝒃 e jointing
𝑷
𝟐𝑱𝟎 𝑪
𝒋  𝑽 𝑫

𝐷  
𝑗 𝐶−
parameter 
)
𝐿
𝑗𝐴
𝑗 𝑗 
𝐶
Whe re𝑅
Vb=block
volume Jc=joint
condition
jR = the joint roughness depend on smoothness factor(js) and waviness
factor (jw) jA = the joint alteration
jL = the joint length
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  RMI in massive rock
 Rmi=compressive strength of intact rock* massivity
factor
 Massivity factor> Joint parameter
 Massivity factor is generally taken as 0.5

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 Ground condition factor( similar to Q value) can be
determined from RMi value.
 Gc=Rmi*GW*SL*C

where GW=Groundwater condition i.e. inflow through

opening SL=stress level
C=an adjustment factor for wall and inclined roof

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 SUPPORT ESTIMATE BY RMI METHOD
 For discontinuous (blocky) ground
 For continuous ground
 For discontinuous (blocky) ground
 Determine Ground condition factor
(Gc=Rmi*K1) where K1=GW*SL*C
 Determine size ratio (Sr)

𝑟 ∗
 𝑆
𝑡𝐷 𝐶 𝑡 𝐷
 ∗
𝐷 𝑏 𝑗 𝑁 𝐷𝑏 𝐾
where Dt= D
a
i me ter or span of tunnel(m)
Db= Equivalent block diameter
( Vb^(1/3))
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 C0= adjustment factor for orientation of joint
 Nj=adjustment factor for number of joint
 These K1 and K2 are determined from table shown
below:

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 For continuous ground
Rock mass with few joints generally stable and generally
does not need any support, except for some scaling work
in drill and blast.
 But,it may squeeze or burst due to time dependent
deformation
due to over stressed ground.
Thus, though continuous ground is of few rock joints, it
should also be provided with support.
 The chart of support estimation is shown below:

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ANY
QUESTIONS??

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