SPT vs RQD data slope analysis
SPT vs RQD data slope analysis
(OP)
Currently I am working on a slope stability analysis in which the boring referece for the analysis provides RQD information only.
I have never performed any slope analysis using only RQD data. I understand that from the samples I can test them in order to obtain c and phi values, but so far.. that information is not being provided.
Now that I am lacking some information, how do you feel more confortable for performing a design:
1 - Having only RQD information (no c-phi values)
2 - Having only SPT blowcounts?. At least from the SPT blows you can correlate in order to obtain phi values. Still C will be a problem to obtain.
Please let me know.
I have never performed any slope analysis using only RQD data. I understand that from the samples I can test them in order to obtain c and phi values, but so far.. that information is not being provided.
Now that I am lacking some information, how do you feel more confortable for performing a design:
1 - Having only RQD information (no c-phi values)
2 - Having only SPT blowcounts?. At least from the SPT blows you can correlate in order to obtain phi values. Still C will be a problem to obtain.
Please let me know.
RE: SPT vs RQD data slope analysis
RE: SPT vs RQD data slope analysis
www.PeirceEngineering.com
RE: SPT vs RQD data slope analysis
RE: SPT vs RQD data slope analysis
There are some free software (rocscience.com) to compute the c and phi from RMR. From that you can do your stability analysis. Check out Practical Rock Engineering by Hoek. That may fill in some of the knowledge gap. For smaller projects you may be able to make some conservative estimates of joint spacing from RQD. May be able to get strike and dip from outcrops or geo maps. For larger projects this information is obtained from televiewer logs.
RE: SPT vs RQD data slope analysis
If you have a daylighted condition with major joint sets (ie bedding in sedimentary rocks), then either flatten the slope angle to avoid the daylighted condition or change the strike of the slope (if possible). If you can't do either, you will have to install rockbolts.
RE: SPT vs RQD data slope analysis
I agree with what molerat2210 said. A Q system or an RMR will be needed in order to classify the rock mass.
You should perform a rock mass strength analysis and in order to do that, you need to use a Q system or an RMR, just like what molerat2210 said. Having only RQD is not enough. You need more than that. Try performing a rock mass strength analysis, too.
When it comes to performing a design, i am comfortable with RQD. However, we need to perform a rock mass strength to be more accurate.
RE: SPT vs RQD data slope analysis
RE: SPT vs RQD data slope analysis
RE: SPT vs RQD data slope analysis
If you want to determine shear strength for stability analysis of the potential for rock mass failure, record RMR or GSI then use the Hoek-Brown method of calculating rock mass shear strength. However, be forewarned that the most important mode of failure in rock slope engineering is sliding along joints and not rock mass failure. As I've posted before, I'd encourage you to measure the joints and focus your efforts on the impact of joints on stability. Do a kinematic analysis of the potential for sliding along joints.
Cheers!
RE: SPT vs RQD data slope analysis
IF the rock mass is very fractured (4 or more joint sets randomly oriented and the scale of the slope is not small compared to the joints spacings) then it makes up an isotropic medium, which will not exhibit as a rule a preferential sliding direction. Other factors will govern and the phi-c pair can be defined by the simple hoek & Brown Roclab freeware.
If the rock mass is anisotropic then directionality will govern and c-phi pairs must be defined for the the critical joint surfaces, according to the criteria exposed by the other posters.
To get back to the original question, if you have pictures of cores, their RQD's and some data on the intact rock you migth be able to define phi and c with some practice, I agree with BigH that SPT has no use in rocks, unless it's weak or very weak rocks but then we should have some reliable correlations for these.