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Rock mass is a matrix consisting of rock material and rock discontinuities. Its characterization and classification aim to determine the rock mass characteristics by assigning values to a set of rock parameters. The behavior of intact rock material can be determined by continuum mechanics but rock masses are usually highly fractured. The fact that fractures control the mechanical response of rock masses makes the determination of their mechanical behavior difficult. Consequently, simplified classification systems capable of dealing with the geological and geotechnical uncertainties evolved for various engineering design purposes. Those systems were based on empirical correlations between rock mass parameters and practical engineering projects including foundations, tunnels, slope stability, and mining. According to Bieniawski (1993), the rock mass classification systems were designed to act as an engineering design aid and were not intended to substitute field observations, analytical considerations, measurements, and engineering judgment.
To derive the overall behavior of a rock mass, both the engineering properties of the rock material and the fractures should be taken into consideration. The most significant parameters that are used in classification systems are the following:
Most of the multi-parameter rock mass classification systems were developed from civil engineering case histories. Those that are commonly used in rock mechanics to assist designing in infrastructure are the following:
In the Introduction to this paper, many names are mentioned of those with African origins or associ...
Rock mechanics is part of the broader scientific field of geomechanics which refers to the scienc...
Rock at depth is subjected to stresses resulting from the weight of the overlying strata and from l...
Learn more about rock engineering applications, their challenges, and the resources you can use to...
Rock engineering projects can be fascinating. Engineers working on rock need to design solutions th...
Tunnels in rock-masses are usually constructed by the bored tunnel technique. Both the conventiona...
Rock engineering projects can be challenging. Engineers working on rock need to design solutions th...
Rock masses are characterized by the existence of distributed joints. The mechanical properties of...