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KAEA2134
Fundamentals of
Engineering Geology
Lecture 7: Description and
classification of rock mass
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A rock mass can be made up of one rock type or more than one
rock type
The rock type(s) can be homogeneous & isotropic (eg granite) and
inhomogeneous & anisotropic (eg most sedimentary & metamorphic
rocks)
Discontinuities
No rock mass is truly continuous. They are broken up by joints,
faults, bedding planes, and other geological discontinuities
Definition (ISRM, 1978): discontinuity = any mechanical discontinuity
in a rock mass having zero or low tensile strength
Types of discontinuities (rock mass scale)
Bedding planes
Joints
Faults
Dykes, sills and veins
Foliation
Geological contacts, unconformities and intrusive contacts
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Description of discontinuities
ISRM (1978) suggested 10 parameters for the quantitative description of
discontinuities
1. Orientation attitude of discontinuity in space (dip direction/dip)
2. Spacing perpendicular distance between adjacent discontinuities
3. Persistence discontinuity trace length as observed in an exposure
4. Roughness inherent surface roughness and waviness relative to the
discontinuity plane
5. Wall Strength equivalent UCS of the adjacent rock walls of a
discontinuity
6. Aperture perpendicular distance between adjacent walls of a
discontinuity
7. Filling material that separates the adjacent rock walls of a discontinuity
8. Seepage water flow and free moisture visible in discontinuities
9. Number of sets
10. Block size
Description of discontinuities
Sampling or measurement of discontinuities
Subjective survey only those discontinuities which appear to be
important are described
Objective survey all discontinuities are described
Scanline survey all discontinuities intersecting a fixed survey line are
described
Areal survey all discontinuities in an area of rock exposure (usually a
circular area) or the whole exposure are described
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Subjective survey only those discontinuities which appear to be important are described
Scanline survey all discontinuities intersecting a fixed survey line are described
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Descriptive scheme for weathering grades of rock material (ISRM, 1978 & Term Degree of
Dearman, 1991) change,
%
Term Description
Fresh 0
Fresh No visible sign of weathering of rock material
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Weathering Profile
Simplified / idealised profile
Grade Description Soil without
Relict fabric
VI Soil without relict fabric. Some organic
content, especially at surface. Soil with
Relict fabric
V Soil with some relict fabric.
Discoloured
IV Coreboulders in soil. (soil >50%) Rock
Fresh
III Discoloured rock partly changed to soil
Rock
(soil <50%)
I Fresh rock
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Weathering Profile
Weathering profile is often complex due to inhomogeneity of the
rock mass (more than one rock type & presence of geological
structures).
In Malaysia, typical weathering profiles can be established over four
general bedrock types:
Granite and allied intrusives
Clastic sedimentary rocks
Metasedimentary rocks (except carbonates)
Carbonates (limestone & marble)
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Weathering
Profile over
Granite
Bedrock
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Sinkhole
Cave
Pinnacled
rockhead
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