4.

2 The RMR-system
The RMR-system was introduced by Bieniawski in 1973. The tunnel route is divided into
section where the geological properties are the same or similar and the tunnel support is
assigned to those sections according to Table 4.1 (Palmstöm & Nilsen, 2000).

Six geotechnical parameters are used to classify the rock mass (Erlingsson, 2009):

1. Uniaxial compression strength

2. RQD-value
3. Spacing of discontinuities
4. Conditions of discontinuities
5. Ground water conditions
6. Orientation of discontinuities

Table 4.1 Rock mass Rating system-RMR (enlarged in appendix A1) (Hoek, 2000)

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