Engineering classification of rock masses for the design of tunnel support

SummaryEngineering Classification of Rock Masses for the Design of Tunnel Support An analysis of some 200 tunnel case records has revealed a useful correlation between the amount and type of permanent support and the rock mass qualityQ, with respect to tunnel stability. The numerical value ofQ ranges from 0.001 (for exceptionally poor quality squeezing-ground) up to 1000 (for exceptionally good quality rock which is practically unjointed). The rock mass qualityQ is a function of six parameters, each of which has a rating of importance, which can be estimated from surface mapping and can be updated during subsequent excavation. The six parameters are as follows; theRQD index, the number of joint sets, the roughness of the weakest joints, the degree of alteration or filling along the weakest joints, and two further parameters which account for the rock load and water inflow. In combination these parameters represent the rock block-size, the interblock shear strength, and the active stress. The proposed classification is illustrated by means of field examples and selected case records.Detailed analysis of the rock mass quality and corresponding support practice has shown that suitable permanent support can be estimated for the whole spectrum of rock qualities. This estimate is based on the rock mass quality Q, the support pressure, and the dimensions and purpose of the excavation. The support pressure appears to be a function ofQ, the joint roughness, and the number of joint sets. The latter two determine the dilatency and the degree of freedom of the rock mass.Detailed recommendations for support measures include various combinations of shotcrete, bolting, and cast concrete arches together with the appropriate bolt spacings and lengths, and the requisite thickness of shotcrete or concrete. The boundary between self supporting tunnels and those requiring some form of permanent support can be determined from the rock mass qualityQ. With 8 Figures     

The application of rock mass classification systems to underground excavation in weak limestone, Atatürk dam, Turkey

The Atatürk dam was built across the Firat River on clayey limestone. A grout curtain, providing impermeability in the left and right abutments, was done in grouting galleries. The well known rock mass classification systems for tunneling purposes [rock structure rating (RSR), rock mass rating (RMR) and rock mass quality index (Q)] were used to classify the rock mass along these galleries. Based on RSR, RMR and Q values, the rock masses in the galleries have been classified into three different classes. Correlation between the three classification systems is discussed and suggestions are made for using rockbolt, shotcrete with wiremesh and steel ribs for supporting the rock mass.     

A Connectivity Index for Discrete Fracture Networks

Connectivity is an important measure for assessing flow transport in rock, especially through fractures. In this paper, rock fracture systems are modelled by a discrete fracture model simulated by a marked point process. A connectivity index is then introduced to quantify the connectivity between any two points in space. Monte Carlo simulation is used to evaluate the connectivity index for stationary cases and relationships between the connectivity index and the parameters of the discrete fracture model are analysed. The average number of intersections per fracture, X_f, and the fracture intensity, P12 (P32), are calculated and the relationships between these parameters and the connectivity index are investigated, concluding that X_f is the more suitable parameter for the classification of rock mass flow properties. The relationships between the connectivity index and the percolation state of the fractured medium are also discussed. An edge correction is briefly discussed and a practical example is used to demonstrate the method of computing the connectivity index.     

Deformability characteristics of a rock mass under true-triaxial stress compression

In this paper an experimental study was planned on rock mass model with three joint sets under triaxial and true-triaxial stress states to assess the influence of joint geometry and stress ratios on deformational behaviour of rock mass. The physical models were composed of three continuous orthogonal joint sets in which joint set-I was inclined at angle θ=0°, 20°, 40°, 60°, 80° and 90° with x-axis, joint set-II was produced at staggering s=0.5 and joint set-III was kept always vertical. Thus, rock mass models with medium interlocked smooth joints (ϕ _j =36.8°) were simulated under true triaxial compression (σ₁>σ₂>σ₃). Modulus of rock mass shows anisotropy with joint inclination θ which diminishes with increase in σ₂/σ₃ ratio. The rock mass at θ=60° shows the highest modulus enhancement (599.9%) whereas it is minimum (32.3%) at θ=90°. Further two empirical expressions for estimation of deformation modulus were suggested based on experimental results, which were developed by incorporating two basic concepts, e.g. Janbu’s coefficients and joint factor, J _f.     

关于用岩体分类预测TBM掘进速率AR的讨论

以Maen、Pieve、Cogolo和Varzo 4条隧道为例,本文分析说明了岩体质量分类系统不能预测TBM净掘进速率PR的原因:由于影响岩体可掘进性的因素与影响岩体质量的因素不一样,且岩体质量分类系统多采用半定性半定量的评分形式描述岩体条件,故岩体的质量分数值与TBM的净掘进速率PR很难有一一对应的关系。因此,岩体质量分类系统和基于此的预测模型不能够用来预测TBM的净掘进速率PR。根据TBM施工隧道岩体分类的目的及TBM施工的特点,提出预测TBM净掘进速率PR的岩体分类系统应与评价岩体稳定的岩体分类系统分开进行。用岩体可掘进性分类系统预测净掘进速率PR,用岩体质量分类系统预测TBM利用率U,从而计算出TBM的掘进速率AR。     

Rock Mass Characterization and Support Assessment along Power Tunnel of Hydropower in Kohistan Area,KPK, Pakistan

This paper encompasses the engineering geological properties of rock mass along the power tunnel of hydropower in Kohistan, Khayber Pakhtun Khawa (KPK), Pakistan. The major geological units of the study area are Chilas complex (CC) and Gilgit complex (GC) that consists mostly of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Discontinuity surveys were conducted to classify the rock mass by utilizing rock mass rating (RMR) and tunneling quality index (Q) classification systems. RMR system involves collection of data for parameters of rock strength, RQD, spacing of discontinuities, condition of discontinuities, groundwater condition and Q system involves rock quality designation (RQD), joint roughness (J_r), joint sets (J_s), joint alteration (J_a), stress reduction factor (SRF) and joint water reduction (J_w). RMR values ranges from 46 to 66 (fair to good) for rock unit of Chilas complex (CC) and 50 to 58 (fair) for rock unit of Gilgit complex (GC). The evaluated values of tunnel quality by Q-system are 1.55 to 6.4 (poor to fair) for Chilas complex (CC) and 1.35 to 1.84 (poor) for Gilgit complex (GC). The required support along the tunnel route is also estimated by both classification systems. Unwedge program is used to analyze the unstable zones due to the intersection of different joint sets. Total 14 cases are analyzed in Unwedge from which 3 cases have failure potential with FOS less than 1. These failure potential blocks can become stable by applying further support of rock bolting and shotcrete layer.     

Alternative Quantification of the Geological Strength Index Chart for Jointed Rocks

The paper suggests an alternative quantification of the Geological Strength Index (GSI) Chart published by Hoek et al. in Paper prepared for presentation at the 47th US Rock mechanics/geomechanics symposium held in San Francisco (2013). The engineering parameters proposed for the horizontal and vertical axes of the Chart are the most commonly used in routine field investigations on rock masses by means of standard exposure surveys and borehole logging. They mainly include parameters traditionally used for block size characterization (i.e., volumetric joint count Jv, joint spacing S and RQD/Jn factor) as well as other parameters purposely defined in the present study and based on combinations of the traditional ratings of the Bieniawski’s RMR₈₉ classification. Adopting these options, new empirical equations for calculating the GSI have been fine tuned and tested on a real rock mass dataset. The comparison between the GSI values calculated using the new equations and those directly mapped during underground excavations has demonstrated the potentiality of the proposed methodology. The new quantification of the GSI Chart can be regarded as a useful and practical tool suitable to integrate the Hoek et al. (2013) approach. The complementary use of different and independent methods represents an effective practice to properly check and validate the final estimation of the GSI.     

A comparison of predicted and actual tunnel behaviour in the İstanbul Metro,Turkey

The empirical method proposed by Hoek and Brown is combined with rock mass classifications to predict the deformation behaviour of İstanbul Metro. The rock mass was assessed using both Bieniawski's RMR₈₉ and its strength was estimated from the formula of Hoek and Brown for the RMR₈₉ system. The applicability and validity of the proposed procedure has been checked by comparing the predictions with actual observations. It is found that the predictions agree well with observations in the intact rock. Although there are some differences between predictions and observations in the faulted rock, these probably reflect the inevitable inaccuracies in empirical approaches, and differences in behaviour of the actual support system that is assumed in modelling. In addition, anisotropy features like faults which are not accounted properly in the Hoek et al. equation that assumes isotropic behaviour.     

基于岩体精细化描述的围岩分类及力学参数概率分布特征分析

针对目前水电站地下厂房工程中不同围岩分类方法存在评价结果不一致、围岩力学参数存在室内试验值与实际情况不吻合的现象,现推荐采用岩体精细化描述体系对围岩岩体结构进行定量化评价。将常用围岩分类方法(RMR、Q、RMi、GSI、BQ、HC)评价指标予以归纳分组,并通过各组内不同指标对比分析获得围岩分类方法中的基础评价指标。以大岗山水电站主厂房某区段为分析对象,采取现场岩体精细化地质素描与后期数据挖掘、拟合相结合方法,并依据评价指标间的关联关系,获得了基础、非基础评价指标的分布概型及对应参数,实现对该段围岩岩体精细化描述认知;基于精细化描述结果,应用Monte Carlo法生成符合各评价指标分布概型的大量随机数,而后参照各分类方法评价思路与评分流程,得到评价指标在各分类方法对应的大量随机评分值,通过归纳统计获得不同围岩分类方法评价结果的分布概型;基于各围岩分类方法评价结果与力学参数值之间的关联关系实现对力学参数概率特征分析。该分析方法与思路可为类似工程围岩质量及力学参数的精确确定提供一定借鉴,并可为实现围岩支护极限状态设计提供必要的原始参数支持。     

Estimation of Block Sizes for Rock Masses with Non-persistent Joints

Summary  Discontinuities or joints in the rock mass have various shapes and sizes. Along with the joint orientation and spacing, the joint persistence, or the relative size of the joint, is one of the most important factors in determining the block sizes of jointed rock masses. Although the importance of joint persistence on the overall rock mass strength has long been identified, the impact of persistence on rock strength is in most current rock mass classification systems underrepresented. If joints are assumed to be persistent, as is the case in most designs, the sizes of the rock blocks tend to be underestimated. This can lead to more removable blocks than actually exist in-situ. In addition, a poor understanding of the rock bridge strength may lead to lower rock mass strengths, and consequently, to excessive expenditure on rock support. In this study, we suggest and verify a method for the determination of the block sizes considering joint persistence. The idea emerges from a quantitative approach to apply the GSI system for rock mass classification, in which the accurate block size is required. There is a need to statistically analyze how the distribution of rock bridges according to the combination of joint orientation, spacing, and persistence will affect the actual size of each individual block. For this purpose, we generate various combinations of joints with different geometric conditions by the orthogonal arrays using the distinct element analysis tools of UDEC and 3DEC. Equivalent block sizes (areas in 2D and volumes in 3D) and their distributions are obtained from the numerical simulation. Correlation analysis is then performed to relate the block sizes predicted by the empirical equation to those obtained from the numerical model simulation. The results support the concept of equivalent block size proposed by Cai et al. (2004, Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci., 41(1), 3–19).     

Analysis of strength and moduli of jointed rocks

This paper deals with two aspects of jointed rock mass behavior, first the finite element modeling of a jointed rock mass as an equivalent continuum, second the comparison of empirical strength criteria of a jointed rock mass. In finite element modeling the jointed rock properties are represented by a set of empirical relationships, which express the properties of the jointed medium as a function of joint factor and the properties of the intact rock. These relationships have been derived from a large set of experimental data of tangent elastic modulus. It is concluded that equivalent continuum analysis gives the best results for both single and multiple jointed rock. The reliability of the analysis depends on the estimation of joint factor, which is a function of the joint orientation, joint frequency and joint strength.Empirical strength criteria for jointed rocks, namely Hoek and Brown, Yudhbir et al., Ramamurthy and Arora, Mohr–Coulomb have been incorporated in a nonlinear finite element analysis of jointed rock using the equivalent continuum approach, to determine the failure stress. The major principal stress at failure, obtained using Ramamurthy's criteria, compares very well with experimental results.     

基于人工蜂群算法的岩体结构面多参数优势分组研究

岩体结构面优势分组是研究岩体力学性质与水力特性的基础,通常的分析方法是只根据产状进行划分。鉴于结构面其他特征对岩体力学性质的重要影响,考虑结构面倾向、倾角、迹长、张开度、表面形态5个特征参数,提出了基于人工蜂群算法的岩体结构面多参数优势分组方法。以样本总体离差平方和为目标函数,建立岩体结构面多参数优势分组的数学模型,应用人工蜂群优化算法求解,以目标函数值最小时的解作为聚类中心,并自动确定分组边界。对人工生成的结构面数据的计算结果验证了该方法的正确性,该方法的求解精度是令人满意的。最后,将该方法应用于怒江松塔水电站坝址区岩体结构面多参数优势组的划分,得到了较为合理的分组结果,进一步验证了此方法具有较高的运行效率与工程实用性。     

Application of rock mass classifications: a case study from Ituango hydroelectric diversion tunnel,Colombia

ABSTRACT

The local site experience is a valuable component for the success of rock mass classification systems as tunnel design methods. The Ituango hydroelectric project is a very important source of information in order to evaluate the usefulness of the main rock mass classification systems. The objective of this research is to improve understanding of some important features of excavated rock mass, such as discontinuities, block size, shear strength and joint alteration, by analyzing some hundreds of data obtained during excavation cycle.

The field study included a survey of exposures after drilling and blasting rounds. Rock mass classification and support measures for each type of terrain along 1400 m tunnel were performed. The rock mass classes could be better explained if shear strength, alteration or block size is calculated. The assessment of these data allows evaluating the block fall risk, improving support and liner. A local correlation between the RMR and Q system was also obtained.     

Analytical study of ground motion caused by seismic wave propagation across faulted rock masses

Studying seismic wave propagation across rock masses and the induced ground motion is an important topic, which receives considerable attention in design and construction of underground cavern/tunnel constructions and mining activities. The current study investigates wave propagation across a rock mass with one fault and the induced ground motion using a recursive approach. The rocks beside the fault are assumed as viscoelastic media with seismic quality factors, Q_p and Q_s. Two kinds of interactions between stress waves and a discontinuity and between stress waves and a free surface are analyzed, respectively. As the result of the wave superposition, the mathematical expressions for induced ground vibration are deduced. The proposed approach is then compared with the existing analysis for special cases. Finally, parametric studies are carried out, which includes the influences of fault stiffness, incident angle, and frequency of incident waves on the peak particle velocities of the ground motions.     

Natural rock joint roughness quantification through fractal techniques

Accurate quantification of roughness is important in modeling hydro-mechanical behavior of rock joints. A highly refined variogram technique was used to investigate possible existence of anisotropy in natural rock joint roughness. Investigated natural rock joints showed randomly varying roughness anisotropy with the direction. A scale dependant fractal parameter, K _v, seems to play a prominent role than the fractal dimension, D _r1d, with respect to quantification of roughness of natural rock joints. Because the roughness varies randomly, it is impossible to predict the roughness variation of rock joint surfaces from measurements made in only two perpendicular directions on a particular sample. The parameter D _r1d × K _v seems to capture the overall roughness characteristics of natural rock joints well. The one-dimensional modified divider technique was extended to two dimensions to quantify the two-dimensional roughness of rock joints. The developed technique was validated by applying to a generated fractional Brownian surface with fractal dimension equal to 2.5. It was found that the calculated fractal parameters quantify the rock joint roughness well. A new technique is introduced to study the effect of scale on two-dimensional roughness variability and anisotropy. The roughness anisotropy and variability reduced with increasing scale.     

A three-dimensional equivalent continuum constitutive model for jointed rock masses containing up to three random joint sets

A three dimensional constitutive model is formulated for deformation analysis of jointed rock masses containing up to three joint sets with arbitrary spatial configurations. A representative elementary volume (REV) that represents the deformational response of the rock mass is defined and the constitutive relationships are developed based on superposition of deformations of the REV components. By representing the constitutive relationships in a tensorial form, the model is able to implement deformation anisotropy of jointed rock masses. The Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion with tension cut-off is used for the intact rock and the joint sets. The model is implemented in FLAC^3D and the deformations and strength values calculated by the model are compared with the results from a 3DEC model and analytical solutions. The model results are in good agreement with those obtained from 3DEC.     

某电站地下厂房围岩质量综合分级

在大量现场调查、统计资料基础上，利用国际上通用的RMR分类、Q系统分类及我国的水电围岩分类方案，对某电站地下厂房围岩进行了岩体质量分级。三种围岩分类结果具有良好的一致性，围岩质量较好。     

基于三维节理网络模拟的坝基岩体结构分类研究

以金沙江白鹤滩水电站左岸坝基岩体为研究对象,开展了基于三维节理网络模拟的坝基岩体结构分类研究。根据节理的分组分布和密度分布进行统计均质区分段,以分段为单位建立基于统计学和概率论的三维节理网络模型。在三维节理网络模型的模型正面、模型侧面和模型顶面上分别沿形心等角度布置模拟测线,将3个正交平面上54条模拟测线的RBI均值定义为三维等效岩体块度指数RBI3D,以RBI3D作为评价指标开展坝基岩体结构分类。结果表明：左岸第10梯段坝基岩体的完整性相对较好,其中整体块状占53.3%,块状占26.7%,次块状占20.0%,分析结果与实际地质情况相符。该方法充分考虑了节理分布的空间各向异性,并采用单一定量指标作为岩体结构的分类依据,兼顾了科学合理性和工程实用性。     

Engineering geological studies of the diversion tunnel, focusing on stabilization analysis and support design, Iran

In this paper a detailed engineering geological assessment of rock masses and support design studies at Garmi Chay dam site, has been carried out. This project is located in the northwest of Iran and will be used for flow control and water storage. The diversion tunnel of the dam has a diameter of 5.5 m and a length of 420 m and will be driven in slightly to highly weathered micaschist and trachy andesite rock units. The geological studies include field and laboratory investigations that based on the results; for more exact investigation, tunnel alignment was divided into three geotechnical zones. These zones consist mainly of highly weathered gray micaschists, dark red trachy andesites and slightly weathered gray micaschists, respectively. Then, for every zone, support capacity of rock masses was evaluated by means of empirical and numerical methods. The rock mass classification systems (RMR, Q, GSI, RSR, SRC and RMi), the convergence–confinement method and a 2D finite element computer software, Phase² were used for empirical and numerical method, respectively. According to the results acquired from these methods some stability problems were expected in the tunnel especially in highly weathered micaschist zone, so that in practice two big collapses occurred. Because of high weathering, low constants of rock masses and their soil-like behavior, the stability analysis by analytical method does not give illogical results in lightly weathered micaschist zone. The support system, suggested by empirical method, was applied and its performance was evaluated by means of numerical modeling. After installation the support suggested by Phase² program, the thickness of plastic zone and deformations around the tunnel decreased significantly. Consequently the agreement of these methods with each other was resulted and using combination of them was recommended for more reliable support design.     

Application of Rock Mass Characterization for Determining the Mechanical Properties of Rock Mass: a Comparative Study

The results of geotechnical explorations, engineering geological investigation (including laboratory and in situ tests) and field observations have been used, along with borehole logging charts, to obtain the rock mass geotechnical data. Based on the data, the rock mass along the Sabzkuh water conveyance tunnel route was classified by rock mass rating (RMR), Q-system (Q), rock mass index (RMi) and geological strength index (GSI) (3 methods). A new series of correlations were established between the systems based on the data collected from the study area. These relationships were then compared with those reported in the literature, and two new relations were recommended. The classifications were utilized to calculate mechanical properties (rock mass strength and deformation modulus) of the rock mass along the tunnel according to available empirical relations, and to distinguish the upper-bound and lower-bound relations.