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N. Barton / International Journal of Rock Mechanics & Mining Sciences 39 (2002) 185-216 187

This document discusses the development of the Q-system for classifying rock mass quality and determining support requirements for underground excavations. It notes that the early Q-system parameters of RQD and joint ratings (Jr and Ja) were refined over time using over 1200 case studies from 1960-1993. The ratings were iteratively adjusted to better correlate the overall Q-value with the observed support needs, such as rock bolting and shotcrete requirements. More recent case studies involved the use of steel fibre reinforced sprayed concrete, which has improved superficial rock support.

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Francis Bernales
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31 views

N. Barton / International Journal of Rock Mechanics & Mining Sciences 39 (2002) 185-216 187

This document discusses the development of the Q-system for classifying rock mass quality and determining support requirements for underground excavations. It notes that the early Q-system parameters of RQD and joint ratings (Jr and Ja) were refined over time using over 1200 case studies from 1960-1993. The ratings were iteratively adjusted to better correlate the overall Q-value with the observed support needs, such as rock bolting and shotcrete requirements. More recent case studies involved the use of steel fibre reinforced sprayed concrete, which has improved superficial rock support.

Uploaded by

Francis Bernales
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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N.

Barton / International Journal of Rock Mechanics & Mining Sciences 39 (2002) 185–216 187

Pr support pressure—estimate of required radial capacity of support, e.g. B+S(fr)


Q rock mass quality rating (range 103 to 103 )
Qc rock mass quality rating (Q; or Q0 ; normalised by sc =100)
Q0 Q calculated with RQD0 oriented in the loading or measurement direction
Qseis seismic quality factor—the inverse of attenuation (used by geophysicists, normally with the P- and S-
wave components ‘Qp ’ and ‘Qs ’, and the coda wave ‘Qc ’)
Qt rock mass quality rating (Q; or Q0 ; normalised by I50 =4) (should be used for strongly anisotropic rock
types)
RMi rock mass index
RMR rock mass rating
RQD rock quality designation
RQD0 RQD oriented in the loading or measurement direction (in the QTBM model it is in the tunnelling
direction)
RRS steel rib-reinforced-shotcrete arches
S(fr) steel fibre reinforced sprayed concrete
S(mr) steel mesh reinforced shotcrete
SIGMAcm rock mass compression strength based on compression failure of the intact portions (only an estimate
since no hard data)
SIGMAtm rock mass compression strength based on tensile failure of the intact portions (only an estimate since no
hard data)
SKB Swedish Nuclear Fuel Co. (Stockholm)
SPAN or HEIGHT
are the horizontal or vertical dimensions of a tunnel or cavern
SRF rating for faulting, strength/stress ratios, squeezing, swelling
TBM tunnel boring machine
UDEC universal distinct element code, for modelling a two-dimensional, 1 m thick slice of the rock mass
Vp P-wave seismic velocity (km/s)
Vs S-wave seismic velocity (km/s)

The first two quotients RQD=Jn and Jr =Ja are often development of the Q-parameters. This was in order to
used in a stope design method in the mining industry, calibrate and re-calibrate the ratings, to match the final
but their representation of ‘relative block size’ and Q-value with the support and reinforcement needs.
‘inter-block shear resistance’ are not sufficient descrip- Parameter ratings needed successive fine-tuning, to
tions of the degree of instability. The possible presence bring the ‘all-encompassing’ Q-value into reasonable
of water and of faults or adverse stress (both too high or correspondence with the necessary level of rock re-
too low) also needs to be included, at least when these inforcement (fully grouted rock bolts) and with the
are present [2]. The original difficulty of matching necessary level of shotcrete or concrete support for
support needs when using only four or five of the the excavated perimeters (arch, walls and sometimes
original parameters were used, is also recalled. the invert as well).
The development of the Q-system in the early 1970s The early set of 212 case records were derived from a
[3], followed a period of pre-occupation with the shear period (approximately 1960–1973) when plain shotcrete
strength of rock joints and of clay-filled discontinuities. (S), or steel-mesh reinforced shotcrete, termed S(mr), or
Perhaps for this reason the three rock-to-rock contact cast concrete arches, termed CCA, were used for tunnel
categories of Jr and Ja (seen in Tables A3 and A4 in the and cavern support, together with various types of rock
appendix) seem to ensure a sensible weighting of this bolts. Since the 1993 update of support recommenda-
most important of rock mass parameters, namely the tions with 1050 new case records [5], the superficial
shear resistance of the least favourable joints or filled support has undergone a revolutionary improvement to
discontinuities. The potentially dilatant character of mostly steel-fibre reinforced sprayed concrete, termed
many joints, and the often contractile character of filled S(fr) in place of S(mr). Cured cube strength qualities
discontinuities, is captured in the ratio Jr =Ja ; which of 35–45 MPa or more are now readily available
resembles a dilatant or contractile coefficient of friction. with wet process, microsilica-bearing, and non-alkali
The original 212 case records of tunnels and caverns accelerated sprayed concrete. The updated Q-support
from 50 different rock types [4], were each analysed chart is shown in Fig. 1. The new case records were
several times, during the six month period needed for collected over a period of several years by Grimstad

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