Table 1

1 January 2000


Table 1: Guidelines for excavation and support of 10 m span rock tunnels in accordance with the RMR system (after Bieniawski, 1989).
Rock mass class Excavation Rock bolts (20mm, fully grouted) Shotcrete Steel arch
I - Very good rock RMR: 100-81 Full face, 3 m in advance. Spot bolting. - -
II - Good rock RMR: 80-61 Full face 1.5 m in advance, Complete support 20 m from face. Locally bolts in crown, 4 m long, 2.5 m spaced with occasional mesh wire. 5 mm in crown, in walls where required. -
III - Fair roock RMR: 60-41 Top heading and bench, 3-1.5 m advance in top heading. Commence support after each blast. Complete support 10 m from face. Systematic bolts 4 m long, 1.5 m spaced in crown and walls, with mesh wire in crown. 50-100 mm in crown, 30 mm in walls. -
IV - Poor rock RMR: 40-21 Top heading and bench, 1.5 -1.0 m in advance in top heading. Install support concurrently with excavation. Complete support max. 10 from face. Systematic bolts 4-5 m long, 1.5-1.0 m spaced in crown and walls with mesh wire. 100-150 mm in crown, 100 mm in walls. Light to medium rips, 1.5 m spaced where required.
V - Very poor rock RMR: <20 Multiple drifts, 0.5 - 1.5 m advance in top heading. Install support concurrently with excavation. Shotcrete as soon as possible after blasting. Systematic bolts, 5-6 m long, 1.5-1 m spaced in crown and walls with mesh wire, additional bolts in invert. 150-200 mm in crown, 150 mm in walls and 50 mm in front. Medium to heavy ribs, 0.75 m spaced, with steel lagging and fore poling if required, close invert.



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