Correlation between Rock mass rating, Q-system and Rock mass index based on field data

Throughout the last decades, many authors have published empirical correlations between rock mass classification systems that have arisen from a series of measurements and observations with the special conditions of the work site; this means that the validity of these expressions is strongly dependent on the knowledge of the original data from which they were deduced. Consequently, none of these expressions are universal nowadays. In recent years, the principal corps B3 “CPB3” of IMITER mine area has witnessed massive mining activities involving a large amount of underground excavation, the rock mass characteristics are undoubtedly the essential requirements for empirical design and numerical modeling. Therefore, the research carried out aims to provide a new specific inter-relation between the most widespread Quality Indexes, Bieniawski’s RMR Quality Index, Barton’s Q Quality Index and Palmström’s RMi Mass index utilizing the data gathered from the jointed volcano-sedimentary rock mass of the “CPB3”. The “CPB3” mining level is located in Imiter silver mine, eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco, at a depth of 500m. A total of 128 rock blocks were examined for the rock mass quality using the three characterization systems, the outcrop mapping was carried out on freshly parallel exposed faces in the horizontal south to north direction. After processing and plotting the in-situ measured data, several equations of the three indexes has been investigated using regression modeling to analyze the obtained results and find the most suitable equation with the highest correlation coefficients. These relationships were then compared with those reported in the literature. The proposed regression models reveal strong correlations between RMR, Q and RMi indexes with high values of accuracy coefficients so that they can be used to estimate the “CPB3” underground rock mass quality for the range of RMR between 30% and 80%. The developed mathematical formulations of the geomechanicalindexes will certainly offer an effective tool to geologist and geotechnical professionals in the decision-making process, preliminary design phase, stability problems and suggestions of the required supporting system and techniques without the expense of more resources or time