ASTM D5878-19

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
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.
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
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-
standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
ground Openings in Rock (Withdrawn 2017)
These guides are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
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
waswithdrawnJuly2017andreinstatedinFebruary2019.DOI:10.1520/D5878-19. the ASTM website.
2 4
The boldface numbers given in parentheses refer to a list of references at the The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
end of the text. www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5878−19
D5731 Test Method for Determination of the Point Load hard-rock mining, coal mining, stability of rock slopes, rock
Strength Index of Rock andApplication to Rock Strength foundations,borability,rippability,dredgability,weatherability,
Classifications and rock bolting.
D5777 Guide for Using the Seismic Refraction Method for
4.1.2 Rock Structure Rating System (RSR)—This system has
Subsurface Investigation
beenusedintunnelsupportandexcavationandinotherground
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
support work in mining and construction.
Data
4.1.3 The Q System or Norwegian Geotechnical Institute
D6032/D6032M Test Method for Determining Rock Quality
System (NGI)—This system has been applied to work on
Designation (RQD) of Rock Core
tunnels and chambers, rippability, excavatability, hydraulic
D7012 Test Methods for Compressive Strength and Elastic
erodibility, and seismic stability of roof-rock.
Moduli of Intact Rock Core Specimens under Varying
4.1.4 The Unified Rock Classification System (URCS)—This
States of Stress and Temperatures
system has been applied to work on foundations, methods of
excavation, slope stability, uses of earth materials, blasting
3. Terminology
characteristics of earth materials, and transmission of ground-
3.1 Definitions:
water.
3.1.1 classification,n—asystematicarrangementordivision
4.1.5 The Rock Material Field Classification System
of materials, products, systems, or services into groups based
(RMFCS)—This system has been used mainly for applications
on similar characteristics such as origin, composition,
involving shallow excavation, particularly with regard to
properties, or use (Regulations Governing ASTM Technical
hydraulic erodibility in earth spillways, excavatability, con-
Committees).
struction quality of rock, fluid transmission, and rock-mass
3.1.2 rock mass (in-situ rock), n—rock as it occurs in situ,
stability (2).
including both the rock material and its structural discontinui-
4.1.6 The New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM)—This
ties (Modified after Terminology D653 [International Society
system is used for both conventional (cyclical, such as drill-
for Rock Mechanics, ISRM]).
and-blast) and continuous (tunnel-boring machine or TBM)
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Rock mass also includes at least some
tunneling. This is a tunneling procedure in which design is
of the earth materials in mixed-ground and soft-ground condi-
extended into the construction phase by continued monitoring
tions.
of rock displacement. Support requirements are revised to
achieve stability (3).
3.1.3 rock material (intact rock, rock substance, rock
element), n—rock without structural discontinuities; rock on
NOTE2—TheAustrianstandard (4)specifiesmethodsofpaymentbased
which standardized laboratory property tests are run.
on coding of excavation volume and means of support.
3.1.4 structural discontinuity (discontinuity), n—an inter-
4.1.7 The Coal Mine Roof Rating (CMRR)—This system
ruption or abrupt change in a rock’s structural properties, such
applies to bedded coal-measure rocks, in particular with regard
as strength, stiffness, or density, usually occurring across
to their structural competence as influenced by discontinuities
internal surfaces or zones, such as bedding, parting, cracks,
in the rock mass. The basic building blocks of CMRR are unit
joints, faults, or cleavage.
ratings. The units are rock intervals defined by their geotech-
nical properties, and are at least 0.15 m (6 in.) thick. The unit
NOTE 1—To some extent, 3.1.1, 3.1.2, and 3.1.4 are scale-related. A
rock’s microfractures might be structural discontinuities to a petrologist, ratings are combined into roof ratings, using additional geo-
buttoafieldgeologistthesamerockcouldbeconsideredintact.Similarly,
technical characteristics (5).
the localized occurrence of jointed rock (rock mass) could be inconse-
4.1.8 Japanese Rock Mass Classification Systems—The
quential in regional analysis.
Japanese Society of Engineering Geology has recognized
3.1.5 For the definition of other terms that appear in this
seven major classification systems in use in Japan (6). These
standard, refer to STP 984, Guide D4879, and Terminology
are summarized in 4.1.8.1 – 4.1.8.7, without additional details
D653.
in this guide.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
4.1.8.1 Rock-Mass Classification for Railway Tunnels by
3.2.1 classification system, n—a group or hierarchy of
Railway Technical Research Institute—Rock-masses are clas-
classifications used in combination for a designated purpose,
sified based on the values of P-wave velocity, unconfined
suchasevaluatingorratingapropertyorothercharacteristicof
compressive strength and unit weight. Support patterns for
a rock mass.
tunnels, such as shotcreting and rock bolting, is recommended
depending upon the rock-mass classification obtained.
4. Significance and Use
4.1.8.2 Rock-Mass Classification for Tunnels and Slopes by
4.1 The classification systems included in this standard and
Japan Highway Public Corporation—This system classifies
their respective applications are as follows:
the rock-mass using RQD, P-wave velocity, unconfined com-
4.1.1 Rock Mass Rating System (RMR) or Geomechanics
pressive strength and unit weight.
Classification—This system has been applied to tunneling,
4.1.8.3 Rock-Mass Classification for Dam Foundations by
Public Works Research Institute, Ministry of Construction—In
this system, the rock-masses are classified by observing spac-
Available from ASTM Headquarters, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West
Conshohocken, PA 19428. ing of joints, conditions of joints and strength of rock pieces.
D5878−19
4.1.8.4 Rock-Mass Classification for Water Tunnel Design 5.1.2 Rock Structure Rating System (RSR)
by The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries—The Rock type plus rock strength
rock-mass is classified into four categories based on values of Geologic structure
P-wave velocity, compressive strength and Poisson ratio as Spacing of joints
well as rock type.
Orientation of joints
4.1.8.5 Rock-Mass Classification by Central Research Insti-
Weathering of joints
tute of Electric Power Industry—This system classifies rock-
Groundwater inflow
mass based on rock type and weathering characteristics.
5.1.3 The Q System or Norwegian Geotechnical Institute
4.1.8.6 Rock-Mass Classification by Electric-Power Devel-
(NGI) System
opment Company—This system is somewhat similar to the
Rock quality designation (RQD) (see D6032/D6032M)
system developed by the Central Research Institute of Electric
Number of joint sets
Power Industry (see 4.1.8.5). The three factors used for
Number of joint roughness
classifying rock-mass are weathering, hardness and joint spac-
Number of joint alteration
ing.
Joint water-reduction factor
4.1.8.7 Rock-Mass Classification for Weathered Granite for
Stress-reduction factor
BridgeFoundationbyHonshu-ShikokuBridgeAuthority—This
5.1.4 Unified Rock Classification System (URCS)
system uses results of visual observations of rock-mass in-situ,
Degree of weathering
geophysical logging, laboratory tests on rock samples, pres-
Uniaxial compressive strength (see D7012, Method C)
suremeter tests or other forms of in-situ tests or a combination
Discontinuities
thereof, to estimate strength and stiffness.
Unit weight
5.1.5 Rock Material Field Classification System (RMFCS)
4.2 Otherclassificationsystemsaredescribedindetailinthe
Rock Material Properties—The results are applicable to hand
general references listed in the appendix.
specimens and representative specimens of intact rock
4.3 Using this standard, the classifier shall be able to decide
material, which do not account for the influence of disconti-
which system appears to be most appropriate for the specified
nuities or boundary conditions of the rock. Typical classifica-
engineering purpose at hand. The next step shall be the study
tion elements include:
ofthesourceliteratureontheselectedclassificationsystemand
Principal rock type
on case histories documenting the application of that system to
Mineralogy
real-world situations and the degree of success of each such
Primary porosity, voids
application. Appropriate but by no means exhaustive refer-
Discrete rock particle size
ences for this purpose are provided in the appendix and in STP
Hardness category
984 (1). The classifier shall realize that taking the step of
Uniaxial compressive strength (see D7012, Method C)
consulting the source literature, which might lead to abandon-
Unit weight (dry)
ment of the initially selected classificatio
...