Excavatability Assessment of Rock Masses for Geotechnical Studies

Abstract

The excavatability of rocks is of importance for the selection of suitable and cost–effective excavation methods not only in mining and quarrying but also in the construction of tunnels, subways, highways and dams. Moreover, selection of the right excavation method and equipment in mining and geotechnical projects depends on the excavatability properties of rocks. A number of different methods have been proposed to evaluate the excavatability of rocks based on their geotechnical properties, such as rock mass rating (RMR), uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), discontinuity spacing of rock masses, point load index (PLI) and seismic velocity of intact rock. The type of equipment used and the method of working also affect the excavatability of rocks. In this work, the term excavatability is considered as the ease of excavation of rock and rock masses and comprises the methods of digging, ripping, breaking and blasting for easy/very easy, moderate to difficult, soft or moderately to highly fractured rock and very difficult excavation conditions, respectively.