Standard Guides for Using Rock-Mass Classification Systems for Engineering Purposes

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The classification systems included in this standard and their respective applications are as follows:  
4.1.1 Rock Mass Rating System (RMR) or Geomechanics Classification—This system has been applied to tunneling, hard-rock mining, coal mining, stability of rock slopes, rock foundations, borability, rippability, dredgability, weatherability, and rock bolting.  
4.1.2 Rock Structure Rating System (RSR)—This system has been used in tunnel support and excavation and in other ground support work in mining and construction.  
4.1.3 The Q System or Norwegian Geotechnical Institute System (NGI)—This system has been applied to work on tunnels and chambers, rippability, excavatability, hydraulic erodibility, and seismic stability of roof-rock.  
4.1.4 The Unified Rock Classification System (URCS)—This system has been applied to work on foundations, methods of excavation, slope stability, uses of earth materials, blasting characteristics of earth materials, and transmission of groundwater.  
4.1.5 The Rock Material Field Classification System (RMFCS)—This system has been used mainly for applications involving shallow excavation, particularly with regard to hydraulic erodibility in earth spillways, excavatability, construction quality of rock, fluid transmission, and rock-mass stability (2).  
4.1.6 The New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM)—This system is used for both conventional (cyclical, such as drill-and-blast) and continuous (tunnel-boring machine or TBM) tunneling. This is a tunneling procedure in which design is extended into the construction phase by continued monitoring of rock displacement. Support requirements are revised to achieve stability (3).
Note 2: The Austrian standard (4) specifies methods of payment based on coding of excavation volume and means of support.  
4.1.7 The Coal Mine Roof Rating (CMRR)—This system applies to bedded coal-measure rocks, in particular with regard to their structural competence as influenced by discontinuities in the...
SCOPE
1.1 These guides offer the selection of a suitable system of classification of rock mass for specific engineering purposes, such as tunneling and shaft-sinking, excavation of rock chambers, ground support, modification and stabilization of rock slopes, and preparation of foundations and abutments. These classification systems may also be of use in work on rippability of rock, quality of construction materials, and erosion resistance. Although widely used classification systems are treated in this standard, systems not included here may be more appropriate in some situations, and may be added to subsequent editions of this standard.  
1.2 The valid, effective use of this standard is contingent upon the prior complete definition of the engineering purposes to be served and on the complete and competent definition of the geology and hydrology of the engineering site. Further, the person or persons using this standard shall have had field experience in studying rock-mass behavior. An appropriate reference for geotechnical mapping of large underground openings in rock is provided by Guide D4879.  
1.3 This standard identifies the essential characteristics of seven classification systems. It does not include detailed guidance for application to all engineering purposes for which a particular system might be validly used. Detailed descriptions of the first five systems are presented in STP 984 (1),2 with abundant references to source literature. Details of two other classification systems and a listing of seven Japanese systems are also presented.  
1.4 The range of applications of each of the systems has grown since its inception. This standard summarizes the major fields of application up to this time of each of the seven classification systems.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pounds units that are provided for inf...

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Published
Publication Date
31-Jan-2019
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Drafting Committee
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ASTM D5878-19 - Standard Guides for Using Rock-Mass Classification Systems for Engineering Purposes
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:D5878 −19
Standard Guides for
Using Rock-Mass Classification Systems for Engineering
1
Purposes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5878; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* conversions to inch-pounds units that are provided for infor-
mation only and are not considered standard.
1.1 These guides offer the selection of a suitable system of
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
classification of rock mass for specific engineering purposes,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
such as tunneling and shaft-sinking, excavation of rock
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
chambers, ground support, modification and stabilization of
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
rock slopes, and preparation of foundations and abutments.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
These classification systems may also be of use in work on
1.7 This standard offers an organized collection of informa-
rippability of rock, quality of construction materials, and
tion or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
erosionresistance.Althoughwidelyusedclassificationsystems
course of action. This document cannot replace education ore
are treated in this standard, systems not included here may be
experience and shall be used in conjunction with professional
more appropriate in some situations, and may be added to
judgement. Not all aspects of this standard may be applicable
subsequent editions of this standard.
in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to
1.2 The valid, effective use of this standard is contingent
represent or replace the standard of care by which the
upon the prior complete definition of the engineering purposes
adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor
to be served and on the complete and competent definition of
shall this document be applied without consideration of a
the geology and hydrology of the engineering site. Further, the
project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
person or persons using this standard shall have had field
title of this document means only that the document has been
experience in studying rock-mass behavior. An appropriate
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
reference for geotechnical mapping of large underground
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
openings in rock is provided by Guide D4879.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.3 This standard identifies the essential characteristics of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
seven classification systems. It does not include detailed
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
guidance for application to all engineering purposes for which
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
aparticularsystemmightbevalidlyused.Detaileddescriptions
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2
of the first five systems are presented in STP 984 (1), with
abundant references to source literature. Details of two other
2. Referenced Documents
classification systems and a listing of seven Japanese systems
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
are also presented.
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.4 The range of applications of each of the systems has
Fluids
grown since its inception. This standard summarizes the major
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
fields of application up to this time of each of the seven
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
classification systems.
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
D4879 Guide for Geotechnical Mapping of Large Under-
4
standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
ground Openings in Rock (Withdrawn 2017)
1
These guides are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
3
RockandarethedirectresponsibilityofSubcommittee D18.12onRockMechanics. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2019. Published March 2019. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D5878 – 08, which Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
waswithdrawnJuly
...

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