Rock mass classifications for tunnel purposes. Correlations between the systems proposed by Wickham et ai., Bieniawski and Rocha.

Abstract

Most of the supports for tunnels in rock masses are designed based on empirical classifications. Firstly, the authors present a brief description of the classification proposed by Rocha (1976). Afte.r that and based upon the results obtained from 15 tunnel sections, the Wickham et al. (RSR), Bieniawski (RMR) and Rocha (MR) classification systems are correlated.