SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluation of Engineering Rock Mass Quality via Integration Between Geophysical and Rock Mechanical Parameters

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Accurate evaluation of rock mass quality and faults/fractures is the main challenge in rock mechanics and rock engineering. Rock quality designation (RQD) is an important rock mass classification index for infrastructures design. However, the rock mechanical parameters are conventionally acquired from boreholes. Such geotechnical test procedures are time consuming and costly. In addition, drilling approaches need more equipment, suffer topographic constraints, provide geological information only on points in the subsurface, and thus leave uncertainty in the geological models. Our work introduces an empirical based geophysical approach of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) to obtain rock mechanical parameters essential for foundation design of engineering facilities. The inverted resistivity obtained from ERT was empirically correlated with RQD acquired from the limited drilling tests to assess the entire site for rock mass quality via 2D/3D subsurface map** of various rocks, including completely crushed rock, relatively crushed rock, poorly crushed rock, relatively integral rock and completely integral rock. The main faults (deep weathered zones) in ERT/RQD models were delineated by low values of these parameters. Our approach can reduce an extensive number of boreholes, and thus bridges the gaps between accurate geological models and the limited well data. Compared with the traditional borehole methods and the past empirical approaches, our work can evaluate the rock mass quality more accurately for successful construction of engineering structures. Our novel approach can be used in most of the weathered terrains, especially in areas, where it is difficult to acquire many core samples. We propose that the established empirical equations are applicable in the sites with similar geological setting, where no borehole exists to obtain RQD.

Highlights

  • An empirical based geophysical approach of ERT to obtain rock mechanical parameters is proposed

  • The obtained RQD of 2D/3D imaging provides more insight into the subsurface for rock mass quality evaluation.

  • Our approach can be used in most of the weathered terrains where no borehole exists to obtain RQD.

  • This approach reduces geological model uncertainty and bridges gaps between limited well data and accurate geological model.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (France)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

Availability of Data and Material

Data available on request from the corresponding author.

Code Availability

Software application or custom code support the published claims and comply with field standards.

References

  • Aizebeokhai AP, Olayinka AI, Singh VS (2010) Application of 2D and 3D geoelectrical resistivity imaging for engineering site investigation in a crystalline basement terrain, southwestern Nigeria. Environ Earth Sci 61(7):1481–1492. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-010-0474-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akin MK, Kramer SL, Topal T (2011) Empirical correlations of shear wave velocity (Vs) and penetration resistance (SPT-N) for different soils in an earthquake-prone area (Erbaa-Turkey). Eng Geo 119:1–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aydan O, Ulusay R, Tokashiki N (2014) A new rock mass quality rating system: rock mass quality rating (RMQR) and its application to the estimation of geomechanical characteristics of rock masses. Rock Mech Rock Eng 47(4):1255–1276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azimian A (2016) A new method for improving the RQD determination of rock Core in borehole. Rock Mech Rock Eng 49:1559–1566

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barton NR, Lien R, Lunde J (1974) Engineering classification of rock masses for the design of tunnel support. Rock Mech Rock Eng 6(4):189–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bery AA, Saad R (2012) Correlation of seismic P-wave velocities with engineering parameters (N value and rock quality) for tropical environmental study. Int J Geosci 3:749–757

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • B.G.M.R Guangdong (Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources of Guangdong Province (1988) Regional geology of Guangdong Province, pp 1–602. Geology Publishing House, Bei**g (in Chinese)

  • Bianchi G, Fasani Bozzano F, Cardarelli E, Cercato M (2013) Underground cavity investigation within the city of Rome (Italy): a multi-disciplinary approach combining geological and geophysical data. Eng Geol 152:109–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bieniawski ZT (1973) Engineering classifications of jointed rock masses. Trans S Afr Inst Civ Eng 15(12):335–344

    Google Scholar 

  • Bieniawski ZT (1989) Engineering rock mass classifications: a complete manual for engineers and geologists in mining, civil and petroleum engineering. Wiley, Canada

    Google Scholar 

  • Boominathan A, Dodagoudar GR, Suganthi A, Uma Maheswari R (2008) Seismic hazard assessment of Chennai city considering local site effects. J Earth Syst Sci 117:853–863

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Budetta P, De Riso R, De Luca C (2001) Correlations between jointing and seismic velocities in highly fractured rock masses. Bull Eng Geol Environ 60(3):185–192

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butchibabu B, Sandeep N, Sivaram YV, Jha PC, Khan PK (2017) Bridge pier foundation evaluation using cross-hole seismic tomographic imaging. J Appl Geophys 144:104–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cardarelli E, Cercato M, Di Filippo G (2007) Assessing foundation stability and soil structure interaction through integrated geophysical techniques: a case history in Rome (Italy). Near Surf Geophys 59(3):244–259

    Google Scholar 

  • Chambers JC, Kuras O, Meldrum PI, Ogilvy RD, Hollands J (2006) Electrical resistivity tomography applied to geologic, hydrologic and engineering investigations at a former waste disposal site. Geophysics 71(6):B231–B239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cho SE (2007) Effect of spatial variability of soil properties on slope stability. Eng Geol 92(3–4):97–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cosenza P, Marmet E, Rejiba F, Cui YJ, Tabbagh A, Charlery Y (2006) Correlations between geotechnical and electrical data: a case study at Garchy in France. J Appl Geophys 60:165–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deer DU, Hendron AJ, Patton FD, Cording EJ (1967) Design of surface and nearsurface construction in rock. In: Fairhurst C (ed) Failure and breakage of rock. Society of Mining Engineers of AIME, New York, pp 237–302

    Google Scholar 

  • Deere DU, Deere DW (1988) The rock quality designation (RQD) index in practice. In: Kirkaldie L (ed) Rock classification systems for engineering purposes, ASTM STP 984. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, pp 91–101

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Demanet D, Renardy F, Vanneste K, Jongmans D, Camelbeeck T, Meghraoui M (2001) The use of geophysical prospecting for imaging active faults in the Roer Graben, Belgium. Geophysics 66:78–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diamantis K, Bellas S, Migiros G, Gartzos E (2011) Correlating wave velocities with physical, mechanical properties and petrographic characteristics of peridotites from the central Greece. Geotech Geol En 29:1049–1062

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Geotomo (2007) RES2DINV Ver. 3.56, Rapid 2-D resistivity and IP inversion using the least-squares method. User’s Manual, p 141

  • Haftani M, Chehreh HA, Mehinrad A, Binazadeh K (2015) Practical investigations on use of weighted joint density to decrease the limitations of RQD measurements. Rock Mech Rock Eng 49:1551–1558

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hasan M, Shang Y, ** WJ (2018) Delineation of weathered/fracture zones for aquifer potential using an integrated geophysical approach: a case study from South China. J Appl Geophys 157:47–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hasan M, Shang Y, ** WJ, Akhter G (2020) An engineering site investigation using non-invasive geophysical approach. Environ Earth Sci 79:265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hasancebi N, Ulusay R (2007) Empirical correlations between shear wave velocity and penetration resistance for ground shaking assessments. Bull Eng Geol Environ 66:203–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E, Diederichs MS (2006) Empirical estimation of rock mass modulus. Int J Rock Mech Min 43:203–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hung YC, Chou HS, Lin CP (2020) Appraisal of the spatial resolution of 2D electrical resistivity tomography for geotechnical investigation. Appl Sci 10:4394

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kahraman S (2001) A Correlation between P-wave velocity, number of joints and schmidt hammer rebound number. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 38(5):729–733

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khandelwal M (2013) Correlating P-wave velocity with the physico-mechanical properties of different rocks. Pure Appl Geophys 170:507–514

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim JH, Yi MJ, Song Y, Seol SJ, Kim KS (2007) Application of geophysical methods to the safety analysis of an earth dam. J Environ Eng Geophys 12:221–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kneisel C (2006) Assessment of subsurface lithology in mountain environments using 2D resistivity imaging. Geomorphology 80:32–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kulatilake PHS, Wu TH (1984) Estimation of mean trace length of discontinuities. Rock Mech Rock Eng 17(4):215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lian YZ (2010) Estimating the strength of jointed rock masses. Rock Mech Rock Eng 43:391–402

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin CP, Lin CH, Wu PL, Liu HC, Hung YC (2015) Applications and challenges of near surface geophysicals in geotechnical engineering. Chin J Geophys 58:2664–2680

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin D, Lou F, Yuan R, Shang Y, Zhao Y, Ma J, Zhang L (2017) Rock mass characterization for shallow granite by integrating rock core indices and seismic velocity. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 93:130–137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin CH, Lin CP, Hung YC, Chung CC, Wu PL, Liu HC (2018) Application of geophysical methods in a dam project: Life cycle perspective and Taiwan experience. J Appl Geophys 158:82–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Y, Dai F, Fan P, Xu N, Dong L (2017) Experimental investigation of the influence of joint geometric configurations on the mechanical properties of intermittent jointed rock models under cyclic uniaxial compression. Rock Mech Rock Eng 50(6):1453–1471

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loke MH (2016) Tutorial: 2-D and 3-D electrical imaging surveys. Geotomo Software Company

  • Loke MH, Barker RD (1996) Rapid least-squares inversion of apparent resistivity pseudosections by a quasi-Newton method. Geophys Prospect 44:131–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loke MH, Frankcombe K, Rucker DF (2013) The inversion of data from complex 3-D resistivity and I.P. surveys. ASEG Extend Abstr 2013:1–4. https://doi.org/10.1071/ASEG2013ab079

  • Loperte A, Soldovieri F, Palombo A, Santini F, Llapenna V (2016) An integrated geophysical approach for water infiltration detection and characterization at Monte Cotugno rock-fill Dam (southern Italy). Eng Geol 211:162–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maslakowski M, Kowalczyk S, Mieszkowski R, Józefiak K (2014) Using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) as a tool in geotechnical investigation of the substrate of a highway. Stud Quat 31(2):83–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Naudet V, Lazzari M, Perrone A, Loperte A, Piscitelli S, Lapenna V (2008) Integrated geophysical and geomorphological approach to investigate the snowmelt-triggered landslide of Bosco Piccolo village (Basilicata, southern Italy). Eng Geol 98:156–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nourani MH, Moghadder MT, Safari M (2017) Classification and assessment of rock mass parameters in Choghart iron mine using P-wave velocity. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 9:318–328

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olayanju GM, Mogaji KA, Lim HS, Ojo TS (2017) Foundation integrity assessment using integrated geophysical and geotechnical techniques: case study in crystalline basement complex, southwestern Nigeria. J Geophys Eng 14(3):675–690

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osinowo OO, Akanji AO, Akinmosin A (2011) Integrated geophysical and geotechnical investigation of the failed portion of a road in Basement Complex terrain, southwestern Nigeria. RMZ Mater Geoenviron 58(2):143–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Priest SD (2004) Determination of discontinuity size distributions from scanline data. Rock Mech Rock Eng 37(5):347–368

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramamurthy T (2004) A geo-engineering classification for rocks and rock masses. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 41:89–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salaamah AF, Fathani TF, Wilopo W (2018) Correlation of P-wave velocity with rock quality designation (RQD) in volcanic rocks. J Appl Geol 3(2):62–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Samyn K, Mathieu F, Bitri A, Nachbaur A, Closset L (2014) Integrated geophysical approach in assessing karst presence and sinkhole susceptibility along flood-protection dykes of the Loire River, Orléans. France Eng Geol 183:170–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sasaki Y (1992) Resolution of resistivity tomography inferred from numerical simulation. Geophys Prospect 40:453–464

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma PK, Singh TN (2008) A correlation between P-wave velocity, impact strength index, slake durability index and uniaxial compressive strength. Bull Eng Geol Environ 67(1):17–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh M, Rao KS (2005) Empirical methods to estimate the strength of jointed rock masses. Eng Geol 77:127–137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith DL (1986) Application of the pole-dipole resistivity technique to the detection of solution cavities beneath highways. Geophysics 51:833–837

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Store H, Storz W, Jacobs F (2000) Electrical resistivity tomography to investigate geological structures of earth’s upper crust. Geophys Prospect 48:455–471

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki K, Toda S, Kusunoki K, Fujimitsu Y, Mogi T, Jomori A (2000) Case studies of electrical and electromagnetic methods applied to map** active faults beneath the thick quaternary. Eng Geol 56:29–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Telford WM, Geldart LP, Sheriff RE (1990) Applied geophysics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p 770

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Vásárhelyi B, Ván P (2006) Influence of water content on the strength of rock. Eng Geol 84(1):70–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu GL (1991) Estimation method of rock quality index RQD. Hydrogeol Eng Geol 6:43–45

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Authors wish to acknowledge support received from Key Laboratory of Shale Gas and Geoengineering, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Bei**g, China; and IGG’s International Fellowship Initiative (IIFI) for Post-Doctoral (No. 2020PD01). We would like to thank the workers who participated in this survey.

Funding

This research was funded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences for Post-Doctoral fellowship (No. 2020PD01), the National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2014CB046901), the Chinese National Scientific Foundation Committee (NSFC) (No. 41772320), the National Science and Technology Basic Resources Investigation Project (No. 2018FY100503), and the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program (STEP) (No. 2019QZKK0904).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Shale Gas and Geoengineering, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19, Beitucheng Western Road, Chaoyang District, 100029, Bei**g, People’s Republic of China

    Muhammad Hasan, Yanjun Shang, Peng Shao, Xuetao Yi & He Meng

  2. College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Bei**g, 100049, China

    Muhammad Hasan, Yanjun Shang, Peng Shao, Xuetao Yi & He Meng

  3. Innovation Academy for Earth Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Bei**g, 100029, China

    Muhammad Hasan, Yanjun Shang, Peng Shao, Xuetao Yi & He Meng

Authors
  1. Muhammad Hasan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yanjun Shang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Peng Shao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xuetao Yi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. He Meng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

MH, YS, PS and XY conceived and designed the experiments; MH, YS, PS and HM performed the experiments; MH, YS, XY and HM analyzed and composed the data; MH and YS wrote the paper.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Muhammad Hasan or Yanjun Shang.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hasan, M., Shang, Y., Shao, P. et al. Evaluation of Engineering Rock Mass Quality via Integration Between Geophysical and Rock Mechanical Parameters. Rock Mech Rock Eng 55, 2183–2203 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-021-02766-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-021-02766-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation