Correlation of rock mass classification methods in Korean rock mass

This paper describes an investigation carried out to establish the trends of correlation between rock mass classification methods with data derived from rock mass in Korea The parameters for rock mass classification were obtained from several regions in widely differing geological environments. Both the rock mass rating RMR of Bieniawski (1973) and the rock mass quality Q of Barton et al.(1974) were employed in determining the quality of rock masses. The concept of determining the engineering qualities of rock masses by means of their classification has been used for a number of years. The linear regression analyses were undertaken in order to assess a possible correlation between each classification system with rock types. The analyses showed a good correlation between rock classification methods. A correlation between seismic P-wave velocity and Rock mass rating classification system was also determined from several borehole logging measurements. RMR and P-wave velocity also showed a good correlation. We will be able to assess the tuck mass quality with measuring P-wave velocity alone in borehole.