A rock excavatability assessment for a basement excavation

James Dann, Vasantha Wijeyakulasuriya

In the proceedings of: GeoRegina 2014: 67th Canadian Geotechnical Conference

Session: Engineering Geology and Rock Mechanics

ABSTRACT: A series of ground investigations were completed within a study area to the west of Toronto, Ontario for a basement excavation at an existing commercial property. Compressive Strength and Point Load Index testing results are assessed in relation to rock mass discontinuity properties, comprising RQD and fracture indices, to develop a graphical and scaled Rock Excavatability ProfileUsing the body of knowledge generated by the investigation programs, strength and discontinuity characteristics of each rock type are characterized using statistical analysis. The results are compared to previous studies of similar geology undertaken by Gunsallus & Kulhawy, and also used as input to rock strength classification. A probabilistic approach, based on the RQD distributions, predicts the mean discontinuity spacings. This is input along with Is50 into the Pettifer & Fookes methodology to aid the assessment of the excavatability requirements.

RÉSUMÉ: Une série de sol enquêtes ont été terminées au sein d'une zone d'étude à l'ouest de Toronto, en Ontario, pour un sous-évalués par rapport à discontinuité de roche de la masse proprieties, RQD et FI inclusif. En utilisant l'ensemble détaillé des connaissances développés concis de programmes d'enquête, caractéristiques de résistance de chacun des types

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