Abstract
With the increasing sophistication of our interpretative techniques, numerical analysis and rock characterization schemes, it is becoming more important to base rock engineering design and the associated site investigation, construction and monitoring procedures on a coherent structural understanding of the complete rock engineering problem. This includes not only the primary mechanisms and parameters, but also the interactions between them. This paper outlines a novel approach to listing and presenting the rock mechanics and rock engineering parameters so that all the interactive or coupled mechanisms and terms can be identified. At its lowest level, this provides a useful checklist for a project; at higher levels, it can provide the logic behind the entire design procedures.
