INDEX PROPERTIES OF

ROCKS AND ROCK MASS

CLASSIFICATIONS
Geomechanics Classification
The rock mass rating (RMR) system is a
rock mass quality classification developed
by
South African Council for Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR), close associated
with excavation for the mining industry
(Bieniawski 1973).
Rock Mass Rating
Geomechanics classification system
incorporated eight parameters. The RMR
system in use now incorporates five basic
parameters below.
Strength of intact rock material: Uniaxial
compressive strength is preferred. For
rock of moderate to high strength, point
load index is acceptable.
RQD: RQD is used as described before.
Spacing of joints: Average spacing of all
rock discontinuities is used.
Condition of joints: Condition includes
joint aperture, persistence, roughness,
joint surface weathering and alteration,
and presence of infilling.
Groundwater conditions: It is to account
for groundwater inflow in excavation
stability.
Geomechanics Classification
Bieniawski (1976) published the details of rock
mass classification system called Geomechanics
Classification or Rock Mass Rating
Six basic paramter are used to identify the rocks
Uniaxial Compressive strength of rock material
Rock Quality designation
Spacing of discontinuities
Condition of Discontinuities
Groundwater conditions
Orientation of discontinuities
Table is the RMR classification updated in 1989.
Part A of the table shows the RMR classification
with the above 5 parameters. Individual rate for
each parameter is obtained from the property of
each parameter. The weight of each parameter
has already considered in the rating, for
example, maximum rating for joint condition is
30 while for rock strength is 15. The overall
basic RMR rate is the sum of individual rates.
Influence of joint orientation on the stability of excavation
is considered in Part B of the same table.
Explanation of the descriptive terms used is given table
Part C.
With adjustment made to account for joint orientation, a
final RMR rating is obtained;
The table also gives the meaning of rock mass classes
in terms of stand-up time, equivalent rock mass cohesion
and friction angle.
RMR was applied to correlate with excavated active
span and stand-up time.
This correlation allow engineer to estimate the stand-up
time for a given span and a given rock mass.
Problem
Problem 1
A granite rock mass containing 3 joint sets, average
RQD is 88%, average joint spacing is 0.24 m, joint
surfaces are generally stepped and rough, tightly closed
and unweathered with occasional stains observed, the
excavation surface is wet but not dripping, average rock
material uniaxial compressive strength is 160 MPa, the
tunnel is excavated to 150 m below the ground where no
abnormal high in situ stress is expected.
Selection of RMR parameters and calculation of RMR
A sandstone rock mass, fractured by 2 joint sets plus random
fractures, average RQD is 70%, average joint spacing is 0.11 m,
joint surfaces are slightly rough, highly weathered with stains and
weathered surface but no clay found on surface, joints are generally
in contact with apertures generally less than 1 mm, average rock
material uniaxial compressive strength is 85 MPa, the tunnel is to be
excavated at 80 m below ground level and the groundwater table is
10 m below the ground surface. Here, groundwater parameter is not
directly given, but given in terms of groundwater pressure of 70 m
water head and overburden pressure of 80 m ground. Since there is
no indication of in situ stress ratio, overburden stress is taken as the
major in situ stress as an approximation.

Joint water pressure = groundwater pressure = 70 m x

w
In situ stress = Overburden pressure = 80 m x
Joint water pressure / In situ stress = (70 x 1)/(80 x 2.7) = 0.32

Selection of RMR parameters and calculation of RMR

A highly fractured siltstone rock mass, found to have 2 joint sets and
many random fractures, average RQD is 41%, joints appears
continuous observed in tunnel, joint surfaces are slickensided and
undulating, and are highly weathered, joint are separated by about
3-5 mm, filled with clay, average rock material uniaxial compressive
strength is 65 MPa, inflow per 10 m tunnel length is observed at
approximately 50 litre/minute, with considerable outwash of joint
fillings. The tunnel is at 220 m below ground.
In the above information, joint spacing is not provided. However,
RQD is given and from the relationship between RQD and joint
frequency, it is possible to calculate average joint spacing, with the
equation below,

RQD = 100 e
0.1
(0.1 +1)

Joint frequency is estimated to be 20, which gives average joint

spacing 0.05 m