Geo Mec Rock Unit 3

Geomechanics
geomechanics is a discipline to predict and control mechanical deformation and failure of underground rock. Using
various data acquired during drilling and fluid production/injection operations, we evaluate the mechanical state of
underground and its changes over time based on geomechanics.
Rock geomechanical characteristics mainly include elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, shear modulus, bulk modulus and
rock strength. These parameters can be obtained from the measurement of seismic wave velocities of core samples
from lab experiments.
Fundamentals of Geomechanics
Pore pressure
The pressure of the fluid in the pore spaces in the rock is called pore pressure. The pore pressure may exceed the
hydrostatic pressure to build overpressure due to various mechanisms such as compaction of rock to prevent
elimination of pore fluid during burial process, different pressure gradient with different fluids (water, oil, gas, etc.),
pressure transfer from deep to shallow depths along dipped formations, thermal expansion of the pore fluid, and so on.
Vertical stress / Maximum horizontal stress / Minimum horizontal stress
The force acting on unit area of the underground rock mass is referred to as "stress". Unlike fluids such as water, solid
rock mass are not free to change their shape nor rotate but able to support differential stress, generally causing the
magnitude of stress to vary depending on the direction. Three principal stresses (vertical stress, maximum horizontal
stress, minimum horizontal stress) are usually used to describe the underground stress state.
Effective stress
Effective stress is calculated by subtracting the pore pressure from the total stress, which gives the stress supported by
rigid frame of porous rock. Changes in pore pressure caused by fluid production from and injection into the formation
directly changes the effective stress.
Deformation modulus and strength parameter
The deformation and failure behavior of rock under stress is depending on the characteristics of the rock described by
deformation moduli and strength parameters. Those moduli and parameters are functions of its mineral composition,
the shape of its pores, and the presence or absence of cracks, the surrounding temperature and stress conditions, and
so on.
What is RQD (Rock Quality Designation)?

Rock Quality Designation (RQD) is a measure of quality of rock core taken from a borehole. RQD signifies the degree of
jointing or fracture in a rock mass measured in percentage, where RQD of 75% or more shows good quality hard rock
and less than 50% show low quality weathered rocks. RFQ is calculated by taking a rock core sample from a borehole
and lengths of all sound rock pieces which are minimum 100 mm long are summed up and are divided by the length of
the core run. Only those pieces of rocks are considered which are hard and good quality. Weathered rocks which does
not meet soundness requirements and whose lengths are not greater than 100mm are not considered for calculation of
RQD. The length of core pieces is measured along center line of the pieces. RFQ test provides assessment of soundness
of the rock and damages caused due to weathering.
Rock quality designation (RQD) is a standard technique in the mining industry for the qualitative and quantitative
assessment of rock quality and degree of jointing, fracturing, and shearing in a rock mass. RQD is defined as the
percentage of intact drill core pieces longer than 10 cm recovered during a single core run , and the general equation is
expressed as:
RQD index (%) = 100 × Σ (Length of core pieces ≥ 0.10 m)/(Total length of core run)
Core recover is calculated by following formula: Core recovery (CR) = (total length of rock recovered / Total core run
length)x100
There, total length of rock recovered = 250+200+250+190+60+80+120 = 1150mm Total core run length = 1200mm
Therefore, Core recovery (CR) = (1150/1200)x100 = 96%
Rock quality designation RQD = (SUM(length of sound pieces >100mm)/Total core run length)x100
SUM(length of sound pieces >100mm) = 250+190+200 = 640mm
Therefore, RQD = (640/1200)x100 = 53% which is fair quality rocks,
i.e. rocks are moderately weathered.
Rock Quality RQD (%)
Very poor (Completely weathered <25%

rock)
25 to 50%
Poor (weathered rocks)
51 to 75%
Fair (Moderately weathered rocks)
76 to 90%
Good (Hard Rock)
91 to 100%
Very Good (Fresh rocks)
Rock Mass Rating (RMR)
The RMR or the Geomechanics Classification System, proposed by Bieniawski (1973), was initially developed for tunnels.
In recent years, it has been applied to the preliminary design of rock slopes and foundations as well as to the estimation
of the in-situ deformation modulus and strength of rock masses. The RMR uses six parameters that can be determined in
the field
This engineering classification system, which was developed by Bieniawski in 1973, utilises the following
All of these are measurable in the field and can also be obtained from borehole data. The rating of each of these
parameters are summarised to give a value of RMR. All parameters are measurable in the field and some of them may
also be obtained from borehole data.
six rock mass parameters:
1. Uniaxial compressive strength of intact rock material.
2. Rock quality designation (RQD).
3. Spacing of discontinuities.
4. Condition of discontinuities, given as
4a Length, persistence
4b Separation
4c Smoothness
4d Infilling
4e Alteration / weathering
5. Groundwater conditions.
6. Orientation of discontinuities.
1.Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS)
Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) stands for the maximum axial compressive stress that a rock specimen can bear
under zero confining stress. Uniaxial compressive strength of a rock can be evaluated using a laboratory compression
test on a prepared rock core sample. But for rock classification purposes it is satisfactory to determine compressive
strength approximately using the point load test on intact pieces of drill core. UCS of a material is verified by applying
compressive load until failure occurs due to fracture in core sample. When stress exceeds the bearing limit it cracks the
core sample. These cracks are produced along the weaker zones. When cracks are produced, we can note the gauge
reading which shows the maximum compressive strength of the rock.
The rating for the rock strength depends on the unconfined compressive strength of the rock. The maximum rating is 15
for rocks having a UCS more than 250 megapascal (MPa) and for rocks having an unconfined compressive strength
below 1MPa the rating is 0
2.Rock Quality Designation (RQD)
3.Spacing of Discontinuities
It is the perpendicular distance between adjacent discontinuities. Description of spacing and RMR rating for spacing of
discontinuities are given in the tables below.
4.Condition of Discontinuities
Condition of the discontinuities depends on the roughness of the discontinuity surface, persistence, fillings, aperture,
and weathering conditions of the discontinuities. RMR rating according to different conditions of discontinuities are
given in the classification parameters and their rating table. Groundwater and discontinuity orientation ratings are also
given in the same table.
By adding the rating obtained from the six parameters mentioned above we will get a RMR rating, ranging from less than
20, for very poor rock, to 100 for very good rock. Every rating is associated with a class of rock – class I for a very good
rock, and class V for a very poor rock. The overall rating is obtained by adding up the six parameters mentioned above.
Rock Mass Rating (RMR) classification parameters, values and ratings for the rock mass
under dry and saturated conditions
Rock Mass Rating (RMR)

Geological Strength Index (GSI)
The Geological Strength Index (GSI) is a numerical scale that serves as a cornerstone in characterizing the surface
conditions of rock masses. It quantifies the geological strength properties of the rock, simplifying the assessment of rock
mass behavior and stability for engineers and geologists alike. Dr. Evert Hoek introduced GSI in 1994, revolutionizing
rock mass classification by offering a more rational and data-driven approach.
The geological strength index (GSI) is a rock mass characterization tool developed for the design of tunnels, caverns, and
other underground structures based on field observations including geological data about rock mass, inputs from
qualified and expertise field geologists/engineers about the visual impression of the rock structure including block and
surface condition of the discontinuities represented by joint characteristics (roughness and alteration) and providing
reliable data in the form of rock mass strength properties which are used as input parameters for numerical analysis or
closed-form solutions
Modifications in the GSI The GSI rock mass classification system was updated and modified from time to time, keeping
in view its applicability and the mode of assessment of rock mass and estimation of rock mass strength properties. The
details of the review of the improvements and modification in the GSI system made by different researchers are
described in the following paragraphs.

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Geomechanics

Vertical stress / Maximum horizontal stress / Minimum horizontal stress

Deformation modulus and strength parameter

What is RQD (Rock Quality Designation)?

Therefore, Core recovery (CR) = (1150/1200)x100 = 96%

SUM(length of sound pieces >100mm) = 250+190+200 = 640mm

Therefore, RQD = (640/1200)x100 = 53% which is fair quality rocks,

i.e. rocks are moderately weathered.

Rock Quality RQD (%)

Very poor (Completely weathered <25%

six rock mass parameters:

1. Uniaxial compressive strength of intact rock material.

2. Rock quality designation (RQD).

4. Condition of discontinuities, given as

1.Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS)

Rock Mass Rating (RMR)

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