Discussion on influence of cavern’s span on surrounding rock classification

The influence of cavern’s span on surrounding rock classification is getting more and more recognition along with large span underground working’s increasingly coming forth. The authors analyse the timbering expense of cavern in jointed rock mass, the radius of plastic loosened zone and the size effect of macroscopical mechanical parameters of rock mass. Based on the complexion of depressing of surrounding rock’s stability due to increment of cavern’s span, the authors pinpoint attaching importance to the influence of cavern’s span on surrounding rock classification; and suggest reckoning the factor of cavern’s span in surrounding rock classification scientifically by studying the size effect of rock mass’s physico-mechanical parameters.