Research Article
Sep 1980
Empirical Strength Criterion for Rock Masses
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VIEW THE REPLYAuthors: Evert Hoek and Edwin T. Brown, M.ASCEAuthor Affiliations
Publication: Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering Division
Volume 106, Issue 9
Abstract
An empirical strength criterion for rocks and rock masses is proposed. The nonlinear criterion includes the uniaxial compressive strength of the intact rock material and introduces two dimensionless parameters, m and s. The parameter m varies with rock type, the angle of interblock or interparticle friction and the degree of block or particle interlock. The parameter s varies from 1.0 for intact rock material to zero for granular aggregates and depends on the interparticle tensile strength and the degree of interlock within the rock mass. For anisotropic rock, both m and s vary with the orientations of the planes of weakness to the principal stress directions. Approximate relationships between rock type, rock mass quality indices, and the rock mass strength parameters m and s, are presented. These relationships have been found useful in preliminary design calculations for slopes and underground excavations in jointed rock.
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Published In
Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering Division
Volume 106 • Issue 9 • September 1980
Pages: 1013 - 1035
Copyright
© 1980 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published in print: Sep 1980
Published online: Feb 11, 2021
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Authors
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Evert Hoek
Principal, Golder Associates, Vancouver, Canada
Edwin T. Brown, M.ASCE
Prof. of Rock Mechanics, Dept. of Mineral Resources, Imperial Coll. of Sci. & Tech., London, England
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