April2Ol-4

Semester One, ln-class Quiz Examination,lT

MlNE3121-Mining Geomechanics

Date: .........../,......../.........
Name:

Wii'Rq+FxI;

Number:

Semester One, ln-class Quiz Examination,2014

MlNE3121 Mining Geomechanics
(B)
Instructions

to

Students: THIS QUIZ PAPER MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM

EXAMINATION ROOM. Quiz duration is 50 minutes.

THE

QUEST!ONS

1)

Which of the following statements is correct? [1 Mark]

The purpose (s) of rock testing is/are:

a)

To provide basic information on the physical properties of intact rock or

discontin uities.

b)

To classify or characterise the rock material by providing an index which can be used
to compare the particular rock with other rocks.

c)

To provide information used to design the structures in rock.

All of the above.

d)

2)

lf the Hoek-Brown criterion is to be used to model the strength of neor surfoce fractured
rocks, it is necessary to determine the equivalent Coulomb shear strength parameters
for the specified level of effective normal stress. [1 Mark]

Answer: a)True

3)

b) False

How can we define a rock is 'brittle' or'ductile'? [1 Markl

Answer:

Semester One, ln-class Quiz Examination , 77 April2Ol'4

M lNE3121-Mining Geomechanics

..........testing, core or irregular samples are subjected to diametral

4) ln ........
loading (loading across the core diameter) between two conical indenters. Loads are
applied between the conical indenters, across the core diameter, until sample failure
occurs, often by formation of a single, planar tension crack. This test is intended as an
index test for the strength classification of rock materials. lt may also be used to predict
other strength parameters with which it is correlated, for example the unconfined
compressive and the tensile strength [1 Mark].

5)

The rock mass is the combination of the intact rock material and the rock defects or
.rock material is the solid (without discontinuity) part of
discontinuities. The
the rock mass between the geological structures (rock defects or discontinuities) [1
Markl.

6)

.....criteria/model assumes that rock failure occurs as a result

displacement along a shear surface cutting through the intoct rock [1 Mark]

Answer: a) Barton

b)

Patton

c)

of

shear

Coulomb d) Hoek-Brown

strength parameters such as cohesion (c), internal friction

angle (0) and UCS (o.) etc. by plotting: 1-) shear stress (t) - normal stresses (on) and 2)
principal stresses. [1 Mark]

7) Show the Coulomb criteria

Answer:

8)

Patton observed at low normal loods, when there was practically no shearing of
asperities, the shear strength of the joints was:
a)

patton observed at high normal loods, when the tips of most asperities were sheared off,
the shear strength of the joints was:

Semester One, ln-class Quiz Examination , 17

April2Ol-4

MlNE3121-Mining Geomechanics

b)

Choose the right formula given below for the above conditions given in (a) and (b):

r'ontan(Lr) +c

r - ontan(0l+t)

Where i is dilatancy angle, /b: basic angle of friction, ,fr: residual angle of friction ris shear
stress and o, is normal stress to the shear plane. [1 Mark]

9) The Rock Quality

Designation index (RaD) was developed by Deere et al in L967 to

provide a quantitative estimate of rock mass quality from drill core logs. RQD is defined
as the percentage of intact core pieces longer than .............. mm in the total length of
core (measured along core centreline. [1 Mark]

10)Which of the following statements is NOT correct? [1 Mark]

a)

Rock mass classification is defined

d)

replace engineering analysis and design procedures.

RQD, RMR, Q and GSI systems are the fundamental rock mass classification
schemes.

as'the action or process of classifying the rock

moss occording to shared quolities or characteristics'. Thus, classification is the
result of putting objects into different classes.
b) Rock mass characterisation is defined as 'describing the distinctive noture or
f eotures of rock mos{ such as intact rock characteristics, discontinuity
characteristics and the density and pattern of discontinuities.
c) lt is important to understand that the use of rock mass classification systems con

L1)Tensile strength of rocks is always lower than compressive strength of rocks. [1 Mark]

Answer: a)True

b) False

12)A tunnel is to be driven through slightly weathered diorite with a dominant joint set
dipping at 65" oqainst the direction of the drive. lndex testing and logging of diamond
drilled core give typical Point-load strength index values of 9 MPa and average RQD
values of 75%. The slightly rough and slightly weathered joints with a separation of < 1
mm, are spaced at 300 mm. Tunnelling conditions are anticipated to be wet. Using the
above site information, calculate the RMR value for the rocks mass described above.
(Note: RMR table is given in appendix). [2 Marksl
Answer:

Semester One, ln-class Quiz Examination

,17 April2074

M lNE3121-Mining Geomechanics

13)A laboratory test has been conducted on a weak intact rock specimen. The test maintained
zero axial strain in the specimen by increasing the confining pressure 03 as axial stress or wos
increased. The axial stress-confining pressure plot of the test result is shown below, starting
from;
or = QMPa and o3 = QMPa

or = 85MPa

0a
Oa

59.1lVlP?
= 39.1MPa

At a confining pressure of o3 = 39.1MPa and axial stress of o1 = 85MPa the slope of plot changed
to 61" and remained constant for the rest of the test. This chonge in slope may be taken as the
onset of intact rock failure.

Determine the intoct rock unioxial compressive strength, the cohesion (c) and friction
ongle (S)that apply if a Coulomb failure criterion is assumed. [2 Marks]

Note: Required formulas are given in Appendix (A)

Answer:

Semester One, ln-class Quiz Examination ,

!7

April2014

MlNE312L-Mining Geomechanics

Appendix:

A) Required Formulas:

(or-or)':mo"or+o!

/'
'r\
l+sind
2ccasd
4
+
tr
tanut
tantl
+-i
=
=
-' l-sin/
---------------:l-sin/
2)
\

)/ -t?xocx+so.2
.r,

= (o,

- r., )t

and .x - 6l

Where:
0, r.l.r=friction angle

01=major principal effective stress at failure;

o3= m inor principa I effective stress at fa i ure;
oc=UCS of the intact rock material;
I

m=material constant for the intact rock

Semester One, ln-class Quiz Examination ,

t7

MlNE3121-Mining Geomechanics

April2OL4

B) Table 1: RMR System

A. CLASSIFICATION PARAMETERS AND THEIR RATINGS
Ranoe of values

Parameter
>10 MPa

of

Poini-load
strength index

intact rock

Uniaxial comp.

>250 MPa

Strength

Rating
Driil core Qualily RQO

1-2MPa

00 - 250 MPa

50 - 100 MPa

25 - 50 MPa

12

75% - 90%

50% -75%

15

?AYo

100Yo

For this low range -

Jniaxial compressiv(
lest is preferred
E.<li

El

IVIPa
2

20

17

13

06-2.m

200 - 600 mm

60 - 200 mm

<60mm

20

15

Conditron of discontinuities
rqaa F\

Not continuous
No separation

Unweathered wall
'ock

lJoint water press)/

iMajor principal 6)
General conditicns

20

5ltcKensloeo sunaces Soft gouge >5 mm

or
ihick
or
Gouge<5mmthick
Separation > 5 mm
or
1-5
mm
Continuous
Separation
ContinIor rs
't0
0

> 125

10

10-25

25 - 125

< 0.1

a.1, - 0.2

0.2 - 0.5

> 0.5
Flowing

None

lrnnel lenoth (llm)

10

Slightly rough
surfaces
Separation < 1 mm
Highiy weathered
walls

25

30

Rating
lnrlow per 10 m

3round
water

Slightly rough
surfaces
Separation < 1 mm
Slightly weathered
walls

< 250

>2m

Rating

-1

lMPalMPa

Rating

/ery rough surfaces

2-4MPa

Spacing of discontinuities
J

4-10MPa

Completely dry

Damp

Wet

Dripping

'15

10

Very Unfavourable

Rating

B. RATING ADJUSTMENT FOR DISCONTINUITY oRIENTATIONS (See F)

Very iavourable

Favourable

Fair

Unfavourable

Tunnels & mines

-2

-5

-'10

Foundations

-?

,7

15

Strike and dip orienlations

Ratings

Slopes

C. ROCK MASS CLASSES DETERMINED FROM TOTAL RATINGS

Rating

Description

6U+bt

60+41

ll

il

Very good rock

Good rock

Fair ro6k

100

Class number

81

40+21

<21

Poor rock

Very poor rock

10 hrs for 2.5 m span

30 min for 1 m span

100 - 200

< 100

D. MEANING OF ROCK CLASSES

Class number

Cohesion of rock mass (kPa)

il

II

Average stand-up time

20 yrs for 15 m span

yearforl0mspan

> 400

week for 5 m span

300 - 400

200 - 300

>45

Friction angle of rock mass (deg)

< 15

lc-Jc

E. GUIDELINES FOR CLASSIFIGATION OF DISCONTINUITY CONditiONS

Discontinuity length (persistence)

Raiino
Separation (apeiture)
Ralino
Roughness
Ralina

<'1 m

-3m

4
< 0.1 mm

>20m

10-20m

3-10m
0.1 - '1.0 mm

1-5mm

>5mm

Very rough

Rough

Slightly rough

Smooth

Slickensided

lnfilling (gouge)
Relino
Weathering
Ratings

'1

b
N0ne

None

Hardfilling<5mm

Hardfllling>5mm

Softfilling<5mm

Softfilling>5mm

Highly weatheled

Decomposed

Unweathered

Slighily weathered

Moderately
weathered
3

F. EFFECT OF DISCONTINUITY STRIKE AND DIP ORIENTATION It.I TUNNELLING*

Strike parallel to lunnel axis

Strike perpendicular to tunnel axis

90
|
Very urfavourable I
Dip a5 -

D;p 20 - a5'

Drive wilh dip - D'p 45 - 90'

Drive with dip - Dip 20 - 45"

Very favourable

Favourable

Drive against dip - Dip 45-90"

Drive againsl dip - Dip 20-45'

Dip 0-20 - lrrespective of strike"

Fai

Unfavourable

Fair

rai-

. Some conditions are mutually exclusive . For example, if infilling is present, the roughness of the surface will be overshadowed by the influence of
the gouge, ln such cases use A,4 directly.
Modified afler wickham et al (1972)

'.