Size Strength classification
Encyclopedia
Size strength classification is a two-parameter
rock
classification
based on the strength of intact rock and the spacing of discontinuities in the rock mass. It was developed by Louis and Franklin (1970-75).
The size-strength approach to rock mass characterisation has been found
helpful in various mining and civil engineering applications.
The concept of block size is analogous to that of grain size but on macroscopic scale. The rock is considered as a conglomerate
of discrete intact blocks bounded by joints. The behaviour of this conglomerate depends on the size and strength of a typical block.
Block size is defined as the average diameter of a typical rock block in the unit to be classified. On the surface block size is measured by observing exposed rock surface. Underground block size is measured from drill cores. The intact strength of the rock material may be estimated by using a rock hammer
.
Parameter
Parameter from Ancient Greek παρά also “para” meaning “beside, subsidiary” and μέτρον also “metron” meaning “measure”, can be interpreted in mathematics, logic, linguistics, environmental science and other disciplines....
rock
Rock (geology)
In geology, rock or stone is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids.The Earth's outer solid layer, the lithosphere, is made of rock. In general rocks are of three types, namely, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic...
classification
Categorization
Categorization is the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated and understood. Categorization implies that objects are grouped into categories, usually for some specific purpose. Ideally, a category illuminates a relationship between the subjects and objects of knowledge...
based on the strength of intact rock and the spacing of discontinuities in the rock mass. It was developed by Louis and Franklin (1970-75).
The size-strength approach to rock mass characterisation has been found
helpful in various mining and civil engineering applications.
The concept of block size is analogous to that of grain size but on macroscopic scale. The rock is considered as a conglomerate
Conglomerate (geology)
A conglomerate is a rock consisting of individual clasts within a finer-grained matrix that have become cemented together. Conglomerates are sedimentary rocks consisting of rounded fragments and are thus differentiated from breccias, which consist of angular clasts...
of discrete intact blocks bounded by joints. The behaviour of this conglomerate depends on the size and strength of a typical block.
Block size is defined as the average diameter of a typical rock block in the unit to be classified. On the surface block size is measured by observing exposed rock surface. Underground block size is measured from drill cores. The intact strength of the rock material may be estimated by using a rock hammer
Geologist's hammer
A geologist's hammer, rock hammer, rock pick or geological pick is a hammer used for splitting and breaking rocks. In field geology, they are used to obtain a fresh surface of a rock in order to determine its composition, nature, mineralogy, history and field estimate of rock strength...
.