Table I. Description and ratings for the input parameters of the Q-system (simplified from Grimstad and Barton, 1993).
RQD (Rock Qualitv Desianation)
Very poor
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
Notes:
RQD = 0- 25%
25 -50
50- 75
75 - 90
90 - 100
(i) Where ROD is reported or measured as < 1O (including OJ,
a nominal value of 1O is used to evaluate Q
(ii) ROD intervals of 5, i.e. 100, 95, 90, etc.
are sufficiently accurate
Jn (ioint set number)
Massive, no or few joints
Jn = 0.5 - 1
One joint set
2
One joint set plus random joints
3
Two joint sets
4
Two ioint sets plus random joints
6
Three joint sets
9
Three joint sets plus random joints
12
Four or more joint sets, heavily jointed, "sugar-cube", etc.
15
Crushed rock, earthlike
20
Notes: (i) For tunnel intersections. use (3.0 x Jn): (ii) For portals. use (2.0 x Jn)
r 10,n roup hness num b er)
a) Rock-wall contact,
bl rock-wall contact before 10 cm shear
Discontinuous joints
Jr= 4
Rough or irregular, undulating
3
Smooth, undulating
2
Slickensided, undulating
1.5
Rough or irregular, planar
1.5
Smooth, planar
1.0
Slickensided, Planar
0.5
Note: i) Descriptions refer to small scale features,
and intermediate scale features. in that order
cl No rock-wall contact when sheared
Zone containing clay minerals thick enough to prevent rock-
wall contact
Sandy, gravelly or crushed zone thick enough to prevent rock
wall contact
Notes:
i) Add 1.0 if the mean spacing of the relevant joint set is greater than 3 m
ii) Jr= 0. 5 can be used for planar, s/ickensided joints having lineations,
provided the lineations are oriented for minimum strength
Jr= 1.0
1.0
J a C1'0tl,nt a era f10n num ber)
Ca,:
1 gi
2
UC·o
C: -~
u0
JOINT WALL CHARACTER
Condition
Healed or welded joints: filling of quartz, epidote, etc.
CLEAN JOINTS Fresh joint walls:
no coating or filling, except from staining (rust)
Slightly altered joint walls: non-softening mineral coatings, clay-free particles, etc.
COATING OR THIN Friction materials:
FILLING
Cohesive materials:
sand, silt, calcite, etc. (non-softening)
clav. chlorite talc etc. /softenino)
1
c 0
C:
tr5o
()
a,
E
0u
e0 n
FILLING OF:
Friction materials
Hard cohesive materials
Soft cohesive materials
Swelling clay materials
Some wa/J contact
Type
Thin filling(< 5 mm)
sand, silt calcite, etc. (non-softening)
Ja = 4
compacted filling of clay, chlorite, talc, etc.
6
medium to low overconsolidated clay, chlorite, talc,
8
filling material exhibits swelling properties
8 - 12
Wa/J contact
Ja = 0.75
1
2
3
4
No wa/J contact
Thick filling
Ja = a
5 - 10
12
13 - 20
J w C1om. t wa er re dUCf/On f.actor
Dry excavations or minor inflow, i.e. < 5 I/min locally
Medium inflow or pressure, occasional outwash of joint fillings
Large inflow or high pressure in competent rock with unfilled joints
Large inflow or high pressure, considerable outwash of joint fillings
Exceptionally high inflow or water pressure at blasting, decaying with time
Exceptionally high inflow or water pressure continuing without noticeable decay
Note: (i) The last four factors are crude estimales. Increase Jw if drainage measures are installed
(ii) Special problems caused by ice formation are not considered
Pw< 1 kg/cm'
1 - 2.5
2.5 - 10
2.5 - 10
> 10
> 10
Jw= 1
0.66
0.5
0.3
0.2 - 0.1
0.1 - 0.05
SRF (Stress Reduction Factor)
Multiple weakness zones with clay or chemically disintegrated rock, very loose surrounding rock (any depth)
Single weakness zones containing clay or chemically disintegrated rock (depth of excavation < 50 m)
Single weakness zones containing clay or chemically disintegrated rock (depth of excavation > 50 m)
Multiple shear zones in competent rock (clay-free), loose surrounding rock (any depth)
Single shear zones in competent rock (clay-free), loose surrounding rock (depth of excavation < 50 m)
Single shear zones in competent rock (clay-free), loose surrounding rock (depth of excavation > 50 m)
Loose, open ioints, heavilv iointed or "suoar-cube", etc. (anv depth)
SRF = 10
5
2.5
7.5
5
2.5
5
Note:
(i) Reduce these SRF values by 25 - 50% if the relevant shear zones only influence, but do not intersect the e~xc_a_v_a~tio_n_·~-----~---
ac I cr1 a 0 I ac
SRF
Low stress, near surface, open joints
> 200 < 0.01
2.5
Medium stress, favourable stress condition
200 - 10 0.01 - 0.3
1
High stress, very tight structure. Usually favourable to stability, may be except for walls
10 - 5 0,3 - 0.4
0.5 - 2
Moderate slabbing after > 1 hour in massive rock
5-3 0.5 - 0.65 5 - 50
Slabbing and rock burst after a few minutes in massive rock
3-2
0.65 - 1 50 - 200
Heavy rock burst (strain burst) and immediate dynamic deformation in massive rock
<2
>1
200 - 400
Notes: (ii)Forstronglyanisotropicstressfield(ifmeasured):when5<
a 1 /u, <10, reduce uc to0.75 uc. When a1/u3> 10, reduce uc to0.5uc
(iii) Few case records available where depth of crown below surface is less than span width. Suggest SRF increase from 2.5 to 5 for low stress cases
ao I ac
SRF
Squeezing
rock
Swelling
rock
Plastic flow of incompetent rock under
the influence of high pressure
Chemical swelling activity depending on
presence of water
Mild squeezing rock pressure
Heavy soueezino rock pressure
Mild swelling rock pressure
Heavy swelling rock pressure
1-5
>5
5- 10
10 - 20
5 - 10
10 - 15