Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Rock Mass Characterization and Rock Property Variability Considerations for Tunnel and Cavern Design

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Geotechnical design input parameters, such as in situ stress field, rock mass strength parameters and deformation modulus, are never known precisely. There are always uncertainties involved in these parameters, some are intrinsic and others are due to lack of knowledge or understanding of these parameters. To quantify the effects of these uncertainties on tunnel and cavern design, it is necessary to utilize probabilistic analysis methods. In the present study, a quantitative, probabilistic approach to use the Geological Strength Index (GSI) system for rock mass characterization is presented. It employs the block volume and a joint condition factor as quantitative characterization factors to determine the GSI values. The approach is built on the linkage between descriptive geological terms and measurable field parameters such as joint spacing and joint roughness, which are random variables. Using GSI values obtained from field mapping data, and in combination with the intact rock strength properties, the probability density distributions of rock mass strength parameters and elastic moduli of the jointed rock mass can be calculated using Monte Carlo method. Furthermore, probabilistic analysis of tunnel and cavern stability based on the variable input parameters is conducted employing the point estimate method. One example is given to illustrate how to consider the variability of in situ stress and the rock mass properties in tunnel and cavern design. The method presents an approach for systematic assessment of uncertainty in rock mass characterization in rock engineering, and it can assist us to better understand how uncertainty arises and how the rock support system design decision may be affected by it.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
Fig. 23
Fig. 24
Fig. 25
Fig. 26
Fig. 27
Fig. 28
Fig. 29

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barton NR, Bandis SC (1990) Review of predictive capability of JRC-JCS model in engineering practice. In: Rock Joints, Proc. Int. Symp. on Rock Joints, Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 603–610

  • Barton NR, Lien R, Lunde J (1974) Engineering classification of rock masses for the design of tunnel support. Rock Mech 6(4):189–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barton NR, Lien R, Lunde J (1977) Estimation of support requirements for underground excavations. In: 16th US Symp. Rock Mech, pp 164–177

  • Bieniawski ZT (1978) Determining rock mass deformability—experience from case histories. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 15(5):237–247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bieniawski ZT (1984) Rock mechanics design in mining and tunneling. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, p 272

    Google Scholar 

  • Brady BHG, Brown ET (2004) Rock Mechanics for Underground Mining. Springer, Berlin

  • Cai M (2010) Practical estimates of tensile strength and Hoek–Brown strength parameter mi of brittle rocks. Rock Mech Rock Eng 43(2):167–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai M, Kaiser PK (2006) Visualization of rock mass classification systems. Geotech Geol Eng 24(4):1089–1102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai M, Kaiser PK, Uno H, Tasaka Y (2000) Comparative study of rock support system design practice for large-scale underground excavations. In: Proc. 4th North American Rock Mech. Symposium, Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 1027–1034

  • Cai M, Kaiser PK, Tasaka Y, Maejima T, Morioka H, Minami M (2004a) Generalized crack initiation and crack damage stress thresholds of brittle rock masses near underground excavations. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 41(5):833–847

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai M, Kaiser PK, Uno H, Tasaka Y, Minami M (2004b) Estimation of rock mass strength and deformation modulus of jointed hard rock masses using the GSI system. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 41(1):3–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai M, Kaiser PK, Tasaka Y, Minami M (2007) Determination of residual strength parameters of jointed rock masses using the GSI system. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 44(2):247–265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cording EJ, Hendron AJ Jr, Deere DU (1971) Rock engineering for underground caverns. In: Proc. ASCE Symp. on Underground Rock Chambers, pp 567–600

  • Deere DU (1968) Geological consideration. In: Stagg KG, Zienkiewicz OC (eds) Rock mechanics in engineering practice. John Wiley & Sons, New York, pp 1–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Dershowitz WS, Einstein HH (1988) Characterizing rock joint geometry with joint system models. Rock Mech Rock Eng 21(1):21–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E (2001) Big tunnels in bad rock, 2000 Terzaghi lecture. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng ASCE 127(9):726–740

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E, Brown ET (1980) Underground excavations in rock. Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, London, p 527

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E, Diederichs MS (2006) Empirical estimation of rock mass modulus. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 43(2):203–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E, Marinos P (2000a) Predicting tunnel squeezing problems in weak heterogeneous rock masses. Tunn Tunn 32(11):45–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E, Marinos P (2000b) Predicting tunnel squeezing problems in weak heterogeneous rock masses. Tunn Tunn 32(12):34–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E, Kaiser PK, Bawden WF (1995) Support of underground excavations in hard rock. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, p 215

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E, Carranza-Torres C, Corkum B (2002) Hoek–Brown failure criterion—2002 edition. In: Proc. 5th North American Rock Mech. Symposium, Toronto, pp 267–273

  • Hönish K (1995) Conclusions from 100 constructed power caverns for future planning: keynote lecture. In: Eurock’ 93, Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 1013–1027

  • Hönish K, Nagel KH (1988) Practical use of rock mass classification for cavern & tunnel support. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 35:4–5 (Paper No. 131)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser PK, Diederichs MS, Martin CD, Sharp J, Steiner W (2000) Underground Works in Hard Rock Tunnelling and Mining. In: Keynote lecture at GeoEng2000, Technomic Publishing Co., Melbourne, pp 841–926

  • Kim BH, Cai M, Kaiser PK, Yang HS (2007) Estimation of block sizes for rock masses with non-persistent joints. Rock Mech Rock Eng 40(2):169–192

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koyama T, Nanbu S, Komatsuzaki Y (1997) Large-scale cavern at a depth of 500 m. Tunn Undergr 28(1):37–45 (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lichtenstein S, Newman JR (1967) Empirical scaling of common verbal phrases associated with numerical probabilities. Psychon Sci 9(10):563–564

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin CD, Kaiser PK, Christiansson R (2003) Stress, instability and design of underground excavations. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 40(7–8):1027–1047

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazzoccola DF, Millar DL, Hudson JA (1997) Information, uncertainty and decision making in site investigation for rock engineering. Geotech Geol Eng 15(2):145–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Palisade Corporation (2001) @RISK. Palisade Corporation, v.4

  • Palmstrøm A (1995) RMi—a rock mass characterization system for rock engineering purposes. Ph. D. thesis

  • Palmstrøm A, Broch E (2006) Use and misuse of rock mass classification systems with particular reference to the Q-system. Tunn Undergr Space Technol 21(6):575–593

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pells PJN (2002) Developments in the design of tunnels and caverns in the Triassic rocks of the Sydney region. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 39(5):569–587

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Priest SD, Hudson JA (1976) Discontinuity spacings in rock. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 13(5):135–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Priest SD, Hudson JA (1981) Estimation of discontinuity spacing and trace length using scanline surveys. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 18(3):183–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rocscience Inc. (2008) Phase2. Rocscience Inc., v.7

  • Rosenblueth E (1981) Two-point estimates in probabilities. J Appl Math Model 5(5):329–335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sakurai S (1981) Direct strain evaluation technique in construction of underground opening. In: 22th US Symp. Rock Mech, MIT, Cambridge, pp 278–282

  • Song JJ, Lee CI (2001) Estimation of joint length distribution using window sampling. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 38(4):519–528

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka H (1964) Introduction of geology for civil engineers. Sankaidou, Tokyo

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang CA, Kaiser PK (1998) Numerical simulation of cumulative damage and seismic energy release in unstable failure of brittle rock. Part I: Fundamentals. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 35(2):113–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Tasaka Y, Uno H, Omori T, Kudoh K (2000) A joint and rock failure strain-softening model and its application to the excavation simulation of large-scale underground caverns. J Jpn Soc Civil Eng. III-51(652):73–90 (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Valley B, Kaiser PK, Duff D (2010) Consideration of uncertainty in modelling the behaviour of underground excavations. In: 5th International Seminar on Deep and High Stress Mining, Santiago, pp 423–435

Download references

Acknowledgments

The method and analysis presented in this paper were carried out to illustrate the probabilistic design approach and did not necessarily reflect the design approach adopted by Tokyo Electric Power Services Co. Ltd. (TEPSCO) and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). The author would like to thank TEPSCO and TEPCO for previous support on the application of the GSI system for rock mass characterization.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Engineering, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada

    M. Cai

Authors
  1. M. Cai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Cai.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cai, M. Rock Mass Characterization and Rock Property Variability Considerations for Tunnel and Cavern Design. Rock Mech Rock Eng 44, 379–399 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-011-0138-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-011-0138-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation