Document Type : Review Paper
Authors
Civil Engineering Department, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, India
Abstract
The rock mass classification system is utilized to categorize rocks, and has been used in engineering projects and stability investigations. It focuses on the parameters of rock mass and engineering applications, which include tunnels, slopes, foundations, etc. Rock mass classification is valuable in the areas where the collection of samples and yielding of observation is difficult. With the advancement in technology, various machine-based model algorithms have been used, i.e., ANN and MLR in rock mass classification from prior few years. In the present work, the rock mass classification has been discussed, i.e., rock load, stand up time, RQD, RMR, Q, GSI, SMR, and RMi along with their applications. Considering all the parameters, it is concluded that for slope stability in a poor rock condition, the applicability of GSI is sufficient when compared with RMR. GSI also provides a highly accurate valuation of geo-mechanical properties, making it a valuable tool for the engineers and geologists. Also, the RMR values obtained from the ANN model provide better results for tunnels when compared with MLR and the conventional method. The ARMR classification of Slate, Shale, Quartz Schist, Gneiss, and Calcschist at 5 different locations of the world were 51-54, 66-70, 57-60, 35, 65-70, respectively. The range for slate and shale was found to be moderately anisotropic, while quartz schist, gneiss, and calcschist were found to be slightly anisotropic and highly anisotropic.
Keywords
[1]. Bieniawski, Z.T. (1989). Engineering rock mass classifications: a complete manual for engineers and geologists in mining, civil, and petroleum engineering. John Wiley & Sons
[2]. Abbas, S. M. and Konietzky, H. (2017). Rock mass classification systems. Introduction to geomechanics, 9(2017), 1-48.
[3]. Bieniawski, Z.T. (1993). Classification of rock masses for engineering: the RMR system and future trends. In Rock Testing and Site Characterization (pp. 553-573). Pergamon
[4]. Hoek, E. (2007). Practical rock engineering. 2007. Online. ed. Rocscience.
[5]. Fernandez-Gutierrez, J.D., Rodriguez, S.S., Gonzalo-Orden, H., and Perez-Acebo, H. (2021). Analysis of rock mass classifications for safer infrastructures. Transportation research procedia, 58, 606-613
[6]. Barton, N., Lien, R., and Lunde, J. (1974). Engineering classification of rock masses for the design of tunnel support. Rock mechanics. 6 (4), 189-236
[7]. Bieniawski, Z.T. (1968). Note on in situ testing of the strength of coal pillars. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 68(10), 455-465
[8]. Bieniawski, Z.T. (1973). Engineering classification of jointed rock masses. Civil Engineering= SivieleIngenieurswese, 1973(12), 335-343
[9]. Wickham, G.E., Tiedemann, H.R., and Skinner, E.H. (1972, June). Support determinations based on geologic predictions. In N Am Rapid Excav & Tunnelling Conf Proc (Vol. 1).
[10]. Rehman, H., Ali, W., Naji, A.M., Kim, J.J., Abdullah, R.A., and Yoo, H.K. (2018). Review of rock-mass rating and tunnelling quality index systems for tunnel design: Development, refinement, application and limitation. Applied sciences, 8(8), 1250
[11]. Terzaghi, K. (1946). Rock defects and loads on tunnel supports. Rock tunnelling with steel supports.
[12]. Pacher, F., Rabcewicz, L.V., and Golser, J. (1974). At the present time, the mountain classification was in tunnel and tunnel construction. Road research, (18).
[13]. Lauffer, H. (1958). Gebirgsklassifizierung fur den stollenbau. Geologie und Bauwesen, 24(1), 46-51.
[14]. Deere, D.U. and Miller, R.P. (1966). Engineering classification and index properties for intact rock. Illinois Univ at Urbana Dept of Civil Engineering.
[15]. Şen, Z. and Sadagah, B.H. (2003). Modified rock mass classification system by continuous rating. Engineering Geology, 67(3-4), 269-280.
[16]. Romana, M. (1985, September). New adjustment ratings for application of Bieniawski classification to slopes. In Proceedings of the international symposium on role of rock mechanics, Zacatecas, Mexico (pp. 49-53).
[17]. LAUFFER-INNSBRUCK, H. (1988). Zur Gebirgsklassifizierung bei fraesvortrieben. Felsbau, 6(3), 137-149.
[18]. Barton, N. (2002). Some new Q-value correlations to assist in site characterisation and tunnel design. International journal of rock mechanics and mining sciences, 39(2), 185-216
[19]. Grimstad, E.D. (1993). Updating the Q-system for NMT. In Proceedings of the International Symposium on Sprayed Concrete-Modern use of wet mix sprayed concrete for underground support, Fagemes, Oslo, Norwegian Concrete Association, 1993
[20]. Schubert, W., Goricki, A., and Riedmuller, G. (2003). The guideline for the geomechanical design of underground structures with conventional excavation. Felsbau, 21(4), 13-18.
[21]. Bhasin, R. and Grimstad, E. (1996). The use of stress-strength relationships in the assessment of tunnel stability. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 11(1), 93-98.
[22]. Barton, N.R. (1986). Deformation phenomena in jointed rock. Geotechnique, 36(2), 147-167.
[23]. Palmstrom, A. (1995). Characterizing the strength of rock masses for use in design of underground structures. In International conference in design and construction of underground structures (Vol. 10).
[24]. Konicek, P., Soucek, K., Stas, L., and Singh, R. (2013). Long-hole destress blasting for rockburst control during deep underground coal mining. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 61, 141-153
[25]. Mazaira, A. and Konicek, P. (2015). Intense rock-burst impacts in deep underground construction and their prevention. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 52(10), 1426-1439
[26]. Singh, B. and Goel, R. K. (1999). Rock mass classification: a practical approach in civil engineering (Vol. 46). Elsevier
[27]. Marinos, P. and Hoek, E. (2000, November). GSI: a geologically friendly tool for rock mass strength estimation. In ISRM international symposium. OnePetro.
[28]. Sonmez, H. and Ulusay, R. (2002). A discussion on the Hoek-Brown failure criterion and suggested modifications to the criterion verified by slope stability case studies. Yerbilimleri, 26(1), 77-99
[29]. Cai, M.K.P.K., Kaiser, P.K., Tasaka, Y., Maejima, T., Morioka, H., and Minami, M. (2004). Generalized crack initiation and crack damage stress thresholds of brittle rock masses near underground excavations. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 41(5), 833-847
[30]. Hoek, E., Carranza-Torres, C., and Corkum, B. (2002). Hoek-Brown failure criterion-2002 edition. Proceedings of NARMS-Tac, 1(1), 267-273.
[31]. Anbalagan, R. (1992). Landslide hazard evaluation and zonation mapping in mountainous terrain. Engineering geology, 32(4), 269-277.
[32]. Tzamos, S. and Sofianos, A.I. (2007). A correlation of four rock mass classification systems through their fabric indices. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 44(4), 477-495.
[33]. Aksoy, C.O., Geniş, M., Aldaş, G.U., Özacar, V., Özer, S.C., and Yılmaz, Ö. (2012). A comparative study of the determination of rock mass deformation modulus by using different empirical approaches. Engineering Geology, 131, 19-28.
[34]. Zhang, L. (2016). Determination and applications of rock quality designation (RQD). Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 8(3), 389-397.
[35]. Sarkar, S., Kanungo, D.P., and Kumar, S. (2012). Rock mass classification and slope stability assessment of road cut slopes in Garhwal Himalaya, India. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 30(4), 827-840.
[36]. Singh, P.K., Kainthola, A., and Singh, T.N. (2015). Rock mass assessment along the right bank of river Sutlej, Luhri, Himachal Pradesh, India. Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk, 6(3), 212-223
[37]. Kumar, S. and Pandey, H.K. (2021). Slope Stability Analysis Based on Rock Mass Rating, Geological Strength Index and Kinematic Analysis in Vindhyan Rock Formation. Journal of the Geological Society of India, 97(2), 145-150.
[38]. Brook, M.S. and Hutchinson, E. (2008). Application of rock mass classification techniques to weak rock masses: A case study from the Ruahine Range, North Island, New Zealand. Canadian geotechnical journal, 45(6), 800-811.
[39]. Yousif, L.D., Awad, A.M., Ali, M.A., and Taufiq, U.A. (2014). The Application of Rock mass rating and slope mass rating systems on rock slopes of al-salman depression, South Iraq. Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining, 10(1), 93-106
[40]. Singh, K. and Kumar, V. (2020). Road-cut Slope Stability Assessment along Himalayan National Highway NH-154A, India. Journal of the Geological Society of India, 96(5), 491-498
[41]. Hoseinie, S.H., Aghababaei, H., and Pourrahimian, Y. (2008). Development of a new classification system for assessing of rock mass drillability index (RDi). International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 45(1), 1-10.
[42]. Hamidi, J. K., Shahriar, K., Rezai, B., and Rostami, J. (2010). Performance prediction of hard rock TBM using Rock Mass Rating (RMR) system. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 25(4), 333-345.
[43]. Hajiazizi, M. and Khatami, R.S. (2013). Seismic analysis of the rock mass classification in the Q-system. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 62, 123-130.
[44]. Liu, Z.X. and Dang, W.G. (2014). Rock quality classification and stability evaluation of undersea deposit based on M-IRMR. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 40, 95-101.
[45]. Chen, L., Wang, J., Zong, Z.H., Liu, J., Su, R., Guo, Y.H. and Zhang, M. (2015). A new rock mass classification system QHLW for high-level radioactive waste disposal. Engineering Geology, 190, 33-51.
[46]. Hussain, S., Mohammad, N., Khan, M., Rehman, Z.U., and Tahir, M. (2016). Comparative analysis of rock mass rating prediction using different inductive modelling techniques. International Journal of Mining Engineering and Mineral Processing, 5(1), 9-15.
[47]. Yan-jun, S., Geng-she, Y., Guang-li, X., and Shan-yong, W. (2017). Comparisons of evaluation factors and application effects of the new [BQ] GSI system with international rock mass classification systems. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 35(6), 2523-2548.
[48]. Khatik, V.M. and Nandi, A.K. (2018). A generic method for rock mass classification. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 10(1), 102-116.
[49]. Kundu, J., Sarkar, K., Singh, A.K., and Singh, T.N. (2020). Continuous functions and a computer application for Rock Mass Rating. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 129, 104280
[50]. Siddhartha, J.B., Jaya, T., and Rajendran, V. (2021). RDNN for classification and prediction of Rock/Mine in underwater acoustics. Materials Today: Proceedings
[51]. Asmare, D. and Hailemariam, T. (2021). Assessment of rock slope stability using slope stability probability classification (SSPC) system, around AlemKetema, North Shoa, Ethiopia. Scientific African, 12, e00730.
[52]. Palmstrom, A. (2005). Measurements of and correlations between block size and rock quality designation (RQD). Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 20(4), 362-377.
[53]. Priest, S.D. and Hudson, J.A. (1976, May). Discontinuity spacings in rock. In International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts (Vol. 13, No. 5, pp. 135-148). Pergamon.
[54]. Zheng, J., Yang, X., Lü, Q., Zhao, Y., Deng, J., and Ding, Z. (2018). A new perspective for the directivity of Rock Quality Designation (RQD) and an anisotropy index of jointing degree for rock masses. Engineering geology, 240, 81-94.
[55]. Zheng, J., Wang, X., Lü, Q., Liu, J., Guo, J., Liu, T., and Deng, J. (2020). A contribution to relationship between volumetric joint count (Jv) and rock quality designation (RQD) in three-dimensional (3-D) space. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 53(3), 1485-1494.
[56]. Hoek, E., Carter, T.G., and Diederichs, M.S. (2013, June). Quantification of the geological strength index chart. In 47th US rock mechanics/geomechanics symposium. OnePetro.
[57]. Palmström, A. (1996). Characterizing rock masses by the RMi for use in practical rock engineering: Part 1: The development of the Rock Mass index (RMi). Tunnelling and underground space technology, 11(2), 175-188.
[58]. Hoek, E. and Brown, E.T. (1997). Practical estimates of rock mass strength. International journal of rock mechanics and mining sciences, 34(8), 1165-1186.
[59]. Laubscher, D.H. (1975). Class distinction in rock masses.
[60]. Laubscher, D.H. (1977). Geomechanics classification of jointed rock masses: mining applications. Inst. Min. Metall., Trans., Sect. A;(United Kingdom), 86.
[61]. Taylor, H.W. (1980). A geomechanics classification applied to mining problems in the Shabanie and King mines, Zimbabwe (Doctoral dissertation, M. Phil. Thesis, University of Rhodesia).
[62]. Laubscher, D.H. (1984). Design aspects and effectiveness of support systems in different mining conditions. Trans.-Inst. Min. Metall., Sect. A;(United Kingdom), 93.
[63]. LAUBSCHER, D.H. (1993). Planning mass mining operations. In Analysis and Design Methods (pp. 547-583). Pergamon.
[64]. Saroglou, H. and Tsiambaos, G. (2008). A modified Hoek–Brown failure criterion for anisotropic intact rock. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 45(2), 223-234.
[65]. Saroglou, C., Qi, S., Guo, S., and Wu, F. (2019). ARMR, a new classification system for the rating of anisotropic rock masses. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 78(5), 3611-3626.
[66]. Rehman, H., Naji, A. M., Kim, J.J., and Yoo, H. (2019). Extension of tunneling quality index and rock mass rating systems for tunnel support design through back calculations in highly stressed jointed rock mass: An empirical approach based on tunnelling data from Himalaya. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 85, 29-42.
[67]. Aksoy, C.O. (2008). Review of rock mass rating classification: historical developments, applications, and restrictions. Journal of mining science, 44(1), 51-63.
[68]. Bhatawdekar, R.M., Raina, A.K., and Jahed Armaghani, D. (2022). A Comprehensive Review of Rockmass Classification Systems for Assessing Blastability. Proceedings of Geotechnical Challenges in Mining, Tunneling and Underground Infrastructures, 563-578.
[69]. Zhang, Q., Huang, X., Zhu, H., and Li, J. (2019). Quantitative assessments of the correlations between rock mass rating (RMR) and geological strength index (GSI). Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 83, 73-81.
[70]. Hussain, G., Singh, Y., and Bhat, G.M. (2015). Geotechnical investigation of slopes along the National Highway (NH-1D) from Kargil to Leh, Jammu and Kashmir (India). Geomaterials, 5(02), 56.
[71]. Singh, S.P. and Roy, A.K. (2022). Slope stability analysis and preventive actions for a landslide location along NH-05 in Himachal Pradesh, India. Journal of Mining and Environment, 13(3), 667-678.
[72]. Hussain, G., Singh, Y., Bhat, G.M., Sharma, S., Sangra, R., and Singh, A. (2019). Geotechnical characterisation and finite element analysis of two landslides along the national highway 1-A (Ladakh Region, Jammu and Kashmir). Journal of the Geological Society of India, 94(1), 93-99.
[73]. Yang, J., Dai, J., Yao, C., Jiang, S., Zhou, C., and Jiang, Q. (2020). Estimation of rock mass properties in excavation damage zones of rock slopes based on the Hoek-Brown criterion and acoustic testing. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 126, 104192.
[74]. Teymen, A., and Mengüç, E.C. (2020). Comparative evaluation of different statistical tools for the prediction of uniaxial compressive strength of rocks. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 30(6), 785-797.
[75]. Zhao, Y., Yang, T., Bohnhoff, M., Zhang, P., Yu, Q., Zhou, J., and Liu, F. (2018). Study of the rock mass failure process and mechanisms during the transformation from open-pit to underground mining based on microseismic monitoring. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 51(5), 1473-1493.
[76]. Karakus, M., Kumral, M., and Kilic, O. (2005). Predicting elastic properties of intact rocks from index tests using multiple regression modelling. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 42(2), 323-330.
[77]. Ocak, I. (2008). Estimating the modulus of elasticity of the rock material from compressive strength and unit weight. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 108(10), 621-626.
[78]. Aladejare, A.E. and Wang, Y. (2017). Evaluation of rock property variability. Georisk: Assessment and Management of Risk for Engineered Systems and Geohazards, 11(1), 22-41.
[79]. Ulusay, R. and Hudson, J.A. (2007). International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM), The Complete ISRM Suggested Methods for Rock Characterization, Testing and Monitoring, 1974–2006.
[80]. Hudson, J.A. (1992). Rock engineering systems. Theory and practice.
[81]. Palmström, A., and Singh, R. (2001). The deformation modulus of rock masses—comparisons between in situ tests and indirect estimates. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 16(2), 115-131.
)