Rock mass classification for rock mass in tunnelling and underground excavation - Development, limitation and way forward

In the last few decades, rock mass classification had been used intensively in engineering design. The concern arises for potential occurrence of localized or global failure due to geological (such as discontinuities, water, weathering) and non-geological construction load, vibration) factors should be taken into consideration. ability a system represent condition straightforward effective way can assist works. Two systems applied underground such tunneling mining. tunnel construction, Rock Mass Rating (RMR), Q System, Japanese Highway (JH) Method, Geological Strength Index (GSI) Quality (RMQR) are commonly used. However, these cannot covered by shotcrete difficulty observing discontinuity planes. Therefore, new investigation method is vital overcome this limitation.