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Rock Classification 1994

This document provides information on classifying and identifying different types of rocks. It discusses: 1. The three main types of rocks - igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary - and how to identify each based on their composition, structure, and formation process. 2. Additional aspects of rock mass classification including mass structure, degree of weathering, compressive strength, and characteristics of discontinuities like spacing, aperture, infilling, and water seepage. 3. Tables that provide terminology and classification schemes for different aspects of rock identification and description, such as grain size, mass structure, weathering grade, compressive strength, and discontinuity spacing and aperture.

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58 views5 pages

Rock Classification 1994

This document provides information on classifying and identifying different types of rocks. It discusses: 1. The three main types of rocks - igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary - and how to identify each based on their composition, structure, and formation process. 2. Additional aspects of rock mass classification including mass structure, degree of weathering, compressive strength, and characteristics of discontinuities like spacing, aperture, infilling, and water seepage. 3. Tables that provide terminology and classification schemes for different aspects of rock identification and description, such as grain size, mass structure, weathering grade, compressive strength, and discontinuity spacing and aperture.

Uploaded by

Asnake Kefelegn
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Rock classification 55

ROCK CLASSIFICATION

T h e most important aspects of rock classification and identification in foundation


engineering concerns rock types and the structure of the rock mass. As in the case of soil
classification, a rock classification system is being worked out by the International
Standardisation Organisation, ISO (Price, 1992). Here, a short s u m m a r y of the proposal
put forward to I S O will be presented.

1 ROCK IDENTIFICATION

T h e first step is to define whether the rock is igneous, m e t a m o r p h i c or sedimentary.


Igneous and m e t a m o r p h i c rocks are crystalline; crystal surfaces reflect light, some
crystals show geometric forms. Igneous rocks show no sharp layer boundaries and are
massive. M e t a m o r p h i c rocks show layering, are often b o u n d e d by w a v y surfaces and are
described as foliated. Sedimentary rocks are clastic, /. e. they contain fragments or particles
belonging to sedimentary soils or rock that is not formed in situ. T h e y are mostly composed
of mineral grains cemented together and show bedding planes marking the boundaries
between sediment layers.
An aid to rock identification for engineering purposes is given in Table 13.

TABLE 13
Rock identification for engineering purposes.

Grain size Bedded rocks Foliated Massive and crystalline


mm Sedimentary Metamorphic Igneous

Coarse Conglomerate Gneiss Granite Gabbro


>2 (rounded particles
in a finer matrix)
Breccia
(angular particles
in a finer matrix)

Medium Sandstone Schist Microgranite Dolerite


0.06 - 2

Fine Mudstone Slate Rhyolite Basalt


0.002 - 0.006 Shale

< 0.002 Flint, chert Mylonite Obsidian


56 Rock classification

Chalk, clastic limestone, crystalline limestone and dolomite, evaporites, coal and
lignite also belong to the group of sedimentary rocks. T h e s e h a v e a grain size in the whole
range shown in Table 13.
Fossils m a y b e found in sedimentary rocks. T h e mineral calcite in calcareous rocks
m a y b e scratched with knife and will react with dilute hydrochloric acid. Quarts scratches
steel. B r o k e n crystals in crystalline rocks reflect light.
T h e r o c k to b e identified is best seen in outcrop or as large fragments showing broken
surfaces.

2 ROCK MASS

2.1 Mass structure

T h e terms to b e used in standard geological practice are given in Table 14.

TABLE 14
Examples of terms used in the description of rock mass structure.

Sedimentary Metamorphic Igneous

Bedded Cleaved Massive


Interbedded Foliated Flowbanded
Laminated Schistose
Folded Banded
Massive Lineated
Graded

2.2 Weathering

T h e following s c h e m e of terms to describe weathering grades of rock material can be


utilised:
• G r a d e I — Fresh. N o visible sign of weathering of the rock material; perhaps slight
discolouration on major discontinuity surfaces.
• G r a d e II — Slightly weathered. Discolouration indicates weathering of rock material
and discontinuity surfaces.
• G r a d e III — Moderately weathered. Less than half of the rock is d e c o m p o s e d or
disintegrated to soil. Fresh or discoloured rock is present either as a discontinuous
framework or as core-stones.
• G r a d e IV — Highly weathered. M o r e than half of the rock is is d e c o m p o s e d or
disintegrated to soil. Fresh or discoloured rock is present either as a discontinuous
framework or as core-stones.
• Grade V — Completely weathered. All rock material is d e c o m p o s e d and/or
disintegrated to soil. T h e original mass structure is still largely intact.
Rock classification 57

• G r a d e V I — Residual soil. All rock material is converted to soil. T h e m a s s structure


and material fabric are destroyed. T h e r e is a large c h a n g e in v o l u m e , but the soil has not
been significantly transported.

2.3 Strength of rock material

With reference to the compressive strength of rock material, determined by m e a n s of


unconfined compression tests, rock is subdivided in a scale according to Table 15.

TABLE 15
Classification with regard to compressive strength of rock material.

Term Unconfined compressive strength, MPa

Very weak < 1.25


Weak 1.25-5
Moderately weak 5-12.5
Moderately strong 12.5-50
Strong 50-100
Very strong 100-200
Extremely strong >200

2.4 Discontinuities

(i) Discontinuity spacing. F r o m the point of view of foundation engineering, the


discontinuities in the rock mass govern its mechanical behaviour. As in the case of soil
there are two m a i n groups of discontinuities: genetic discontinuities (such as bedding and
foliation) and mechanical discontinuities (such as joints). B e d d i n g and foliation spacing
are termed according to Table 16 and mechanical discontinuity spacings according to
Table 17.

TABLE 16
Terms to describe bedding and foliation spacing.

Term Spacing, mm

Very thick bedded (foliated) > 2000


Thick bedded (foliated) 2000-600
Medium bedded (foliated) 600-200
Thin bedded (foliated) 200-60
Very thin bedded (foliated) 60-20
Thickly laminated (closely foliated) 20-6
Thinly laminated (very closely foliated) < 6
58 Rock classification

TABLE 17
Terms to describe mechanical discontinuity spacing,

Term Spacing, mm

Very widely spaced >2000


Widely spaced 2000-600
Medium spaced 600-200
Closely spaced 200-60
Very closely spaced 60-20
Extremely closely spaced <20

(ii) Aperture. T h e aperture, i.e. the p e r p e n d i c u l a r d i s t a n c e — t h e g a p — b e t w e e n walls


of discontinuities (Fig. 35), is t e r m e d according to Table 18.

TABLE 18
Terms for description of discontinuity aperture.

Aperture Aperture size term Feature description term

< 0.1 mm Very tight


0.1-0.25 mm Tight 'Closed' features
0.25-0.5 mm Partly open

0.5-2.5 mm Open
2 . 5 - 1 0 mm Moderately wide 'Gapped' features
> 10 mm Wide

10-100 mm Very wide


0.1-1 m Extremely wide 'Open' feature
> 1 m Cavernous

Fig. 35. Extremely wide aperture with infillings of sand.


Rock classification 59

(iii) Infilling. Identification of the infilling material in the apertures and determination of
its shear strength are important for the j u d g e m e n t of the stability of the rock mass.

(iv) Water seepage. Possible existence of free moisture or water flow is another important
factor to b e taken into account and has, therefore, to be reported.

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