UNDERGROUND SPACE TECHNOLOGY
Lecture-31: Application of rock mass classification system: Terzaghi’s
rock load theory-01
PRITI MAHESHWARI
Dept. of Civil Engineering, IIT Roorkee
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Various support systems
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Various support systems
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Terzaghi’s rock load theory
* First attempt of classification of rock masses
for engineering purposes
* Terzaghi (1946): rock load factor Hp→ height
of loosening zone over tunnel roof which is
likely to load the steel arches
Terzaghi’s rock load concept in tunnels
(Singh and Goel, 2011)
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Rock classes
* Classified rock masses qualitatively based on their structural discontinuities -
i) hard and intact, viii) squeezing rock at great depth, and
ii) hard, stratified, and schistose, ix) swelling rock.
iii) massive to moderately jointed,
iv) moderately blocky and seamy,
v) very blocky and seamy,
vi) completely crushed but chemically inert,
vii) squeezing rock at moderate depth,
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Rock classes
Rock Type of rock Definition
class
I. Hard and The rock is unweathered. It contains neither joints nor hair cracks. If fractured, it breaks
intact
across intact rock. After excavation the rock may have some popping and spalling
failures from roof. At high stresses, spontaneous and violent spalling of rock slabs may
occur from sides or roof. The unconfined compressive strength is equal to or more than
100 MPa.
II. Hard stratified The rock is hard and layered. The layers are usually widely separated. The rock may or
and schistose
may not have planes of weakness. In such rock, spalling is quite common.
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Rock classes
Rock Type of rock Definition
class
III. Massive A jointed rock. The joints are widely spaced. The joints may or may not be cemented.
moderately
It may also contain hair cracks but the huge blocks between the joints are intimately
jointed
interlocked so that vertical walls do not require lateral support. Spalling may occur.
IV. Moderately Joints are less spaced. Blocks are about 1 m in size. The rock may or may not be hard.
blocky and
The joints may or may not be healed but the interlocking is so intimate that no side
seamy
pressure is exerted or expected.
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Rock classes
Rock Type of rock Definition
class
V. Very blocky and Closely spaced joints. Block size is less than 1 m. It consists of almost chemically
seamy
intact rock fragments which are entirely separated from each other and imperfectly
interlocked. Some side pressure of low magnitude is expected. Vertical walls may
require supports.
VI. Completely Comprises chemically intact rock having the character of a crusher run aggregate.
crushed by
There is no interlocking. Considerable side pressure is expected on tunnel supports.
chemically intact
The block size could be few centimeters to 30 cm.
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Rock classes
Rock Type of rock Definition
class
VII. Squeezing rock- Squeezing is a mechanical process in which the rock advances into the tunnel
moderate depth
opening without perceptible increase in volume. Moderate depth is a relative term
and could be up to 150 m to 1000 m.
VIII. Squeezing rock- The depth may be more than 150 m. The maximum recommended tunnel depth is
great depth
1000 m (2000 m in very good rocks).
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Rock classes
Rock Type of Definition
class rock
IX. Swelling Swelling is associated with volume change and is due to chemical change of the rock usually
rock
in presence of moisture or water. Some shales absorb moisture from air and swell. Rocks
containing swelling minerals such as montmorillonite, illite, kaolinite and others can swell
and exert heavy pressure on rock supports.
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Rock classes
* Squeezing rock → in fact squeezing ground condition
* A jointed and weak rock mass fails at high stress and squeezes into tunnels.
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Rock load factor
* Support pressure from rock load factor, Hp → p = Hp H
* Limitation: not applicable to
tunnels wider than 9 m.
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Rock load factor
Terzaghi (1946) Rock load in tunnels within various rock classes (Singh and Goel, 2011)
Rock Rock condition Rock load Remarks
class factor, Hp
I. Hard and intact Zero Light lining required only if spalling or popping occurs
II. Hard stratified or 0-0.5B Light support mainly for protection against spalling. Load may
schistose
change erratically from point to point
III. Massive moderately 0-0.25B No side pressure
jointed
IV. Moderately blocky 0.25B- 0.35 No side pressure
and seamy
(B+Ht)
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Rock load factor
Rock Rock condition Rock load Remarks
class factor, Hp
V. Very blocky and (0.35-1.10) Little or no side pressure
seamy
(B+Ht)
VI. Completely 1.10 (B+Ht) Considerable side pressure. Softening effects of seepage towards
crushed
bottom of tunnel require either continuous support for lower ends
of ribs or circular ribs
VII. Squeezing rock- (1.10-2.10) Heavy side pressure, invert struts required. Circular ribs are
moderate depth
(B+Ht) recommended
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Rock load factor
Rock Rock condition Rock load factor, Hp Remarks
class
VIII. Squeezing rock- (2.10-4.50) (B+Ht) Heavy side pressure, invert struts required.
great depth
Circular ribs are recommended
IX. Swelling rock Up to 250 ft. (80 m) irrespective Circular ribs are required. In extreme cases, use
of the value of (B+Ht) of yielding support recommended.
Note: roof of the tunnel: assumed to be located below water table. If it is located
permanently above the water table, then the values given for
classes IV to VI can be reduced by 50%.
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Rock load factor
Deere et al. (1970): modified Terzaghi’s classification system by introducing RQD
as the lone measure of rock quality
Terzaghi’s rock load concept as modified by Deere et al. (1970)(Singh and Goel, 2011)
Rock class and condition RQD (%) Rock load factor, Hp Remarks
I. Hard and intact 95-100 Zero Same as for Terzaghi (1946)
II. Hard stratified or schistose 90-99 0-0.5B Same as for Terzaghi (1946)
III. Massive moderately jointed 85-95 0-0.25B Same as for Terzaghi (1946)
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Rock load factor
Rock class and RQD Rock load Remarks
condition (%) factor, Hp
IV. Moderately blocky 75-85 0.25B – 0.35 Types IV, V, and VI reduced by about 50% from Terzaghi values
and seamy
(B+Ht) because water table has little effect on rock load
V. Very blocky and 30-75 (0.2–0.6) Same as above
seamy
(B+Ht)
VI. Completely 3-30 (0.6–1.10) Same as above
crushed
(B+Ht)
VIa. Sand and gravel 0-3 (1.1–1.4) Same as above
(B+Ht)
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Rock load factor
Rock class and condition RQD (%) Rock load factor, Hp Remarks
VII. Squeezing rock at moderate depth NA (1.10-2.10) (B+Ht) Same as for Terzaghi (1946)
VIII. Squeezing rock at great depth NA (2.10-4.50) (B+Ht) Same as for Terzaghi (1946)
IX. Swelling rock NA Up to 80 m irrespective of the Same as for Terzaghi (1946)
value of (B+Ht)
Note: blast and machine excavated tunnels were
distinguished. Guidelines were proposed for selection of
steel set, rock bolts, and shotcrete supports for 6-12 m diameter
tunnels in rock.
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Thank You
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