1996 AEG Student Professional Paper: Graduate Division A Graphical Method for the Classification of Rock and Weak Rock Masses Based on Field Observations

KIRK PALICKI

doi:10.2113/gseegeosci.III.1.7

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Research Article| January 01, 1997

1996 AEG Student Professional Paper: Graduate Division A Graphical Method for the Classification of Rock and Weak Rock Masses Based on Field Observations

KIRK PALICKI

Mr. Kirk Severin Palicki began his college career at the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1991. During his undergraduate studies, he worked for two semesters with Dames & Moore of Kansas City, Kansas as a cooperative education student. In December 1995 he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in geological engineering from UMR, and was recognized at graduation as an Honorary Student Marshall for the School of Mines and Metallurgy. Kirk is currently completing his final semester at the University of California, Berkeley, where he is pursuing a master of science degree in geotechnical engineering. During his studies at the University of California, he worked both as a teaching assistant and as a student intern with Rogers/Pacific of Pleasant Hill, California.

^* Present address: 2299 Piedmont Avenue, #313, Berkeley, CA 94720

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Author and Article Information

KIRK PALICKI

^* Present address: 2299 Piedmont Avenue, #313, Berkeley, CA 94720

Mr. Kirk Severin Palicki began his college career at the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1991. During his undergraduate studies, he worked for two semesters with Dames & Moore of Kansas City, Kansas as a cooperative education student. In December 1995 he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in geological engineering from UMR, and was recognized at graduation as an Honorary Student Marshall for the School of Mines and Metallurgy. Kirk is currently completing his final semester at the University of California, Berkeley, where he is pursuing a master of science degree in geotechnical engineering. During his studies at the University of California, he worked both as a teaching assistant and as a student intern with Rogers/Pacific of Pleasant Hill, California.

Publisher: Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists

First Online: 09 Mar 2017

Online ISSN: 1558-9161

Print ISSN: 1078-7275

Environmental & Engineering Geoscience (1997) III (1): 7–12.

https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.III.1.7

Abstract

Weak and weathered rock masses are not described effectively by traditional classification systems. These systems do not account for time dependent changes in strength, nor are they universally applicable to rocks of differing strengths or weathering mechanisms.

This engineering classification system for rock and weak rock masses considers three factors that control the overall strength of rock bodies: compressive strength, nature and density of discontinuities, and decrease in strength over engineering time. Measurements of these three factors are conducted using simple field observations and then a particular rating is assigned to the rock mass for each property. The strength, discontinuity and rate of change in strength ratings are then plotted in a three-dimensional manner that allows for the visual comparison of rock masses and their anticipated engineering behaviors.

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