PREDICTION OF ROCK MASS PROPERTIES, TUNNEL STABILITY AND SUPPORT PRESSURE BY GEOLOGICAL STRENGTH INDEX (GSI) IN CROCKER FORMATION: A CASE STUDY

This study was conducted along a tunnel in Crocker Formation. The objectives of this study are to determine the value of Geological Strength Index (GSI) and to predict rock mass properties, very unfavourable discontinuities combination and tunnel support pressure for rock bolts or shotcrete for the tunnel. Engineering geological mapping, rock sampling and estimation of GSI values and the disturbance factor were conducted along the tunnel faces. Laboratory analysis includes Point load and dry density test and data analysis consists of kinematic analysis and limit equilibrium analysis. The rock mass was characterised by 94.88 MPa UCS, 0.024 MN/m3 unit weight, widely space and high persistency of discontinuities. The GSI value is 50 with 0.8 disturbance factor. The cohesion, tensile strength and friction angle are 3.671 MPa, 0.056 MPa and 25.20°, respectively. There are eight possibilities of discontinuities combinations on tunnel roof that have factor of safety (F.O.S) lower than 2 and combination of joints 2, 4 and 6 has the highest maximum wedge volume of 28.37 m3. The maximum support pressure of rock bolts or shotcrete for F.O.S of 2 is 0.04 MN. The individual discontinuity plane has been identified to overestimate friction angle and cohesion values, then the GSI system should be applied in homogeneous or isotropic and not in structurally controlled rock masses.