A. About the RockMass.net site

Constructions in rock, such as tunnels, caverns and shafts generally involve so large volumes that the properties of the rock mass cannot be measured in the laboratory, and seldom in the field. Therefore, the rock mass properties have to be determined mainly from observations in the field.

This web page gives you information on how field observations can be performed and used in practical rock engineering.  The Rock Mass index (RMi) system has been developed as a tool in this field. Some parts of the RMi system are also described in the Handbook on Engineering geology and rock mechanics, issued by the Norwegian Rock Group affiliated ISRM and IAEG. Also the textbook Rock Engineering contains useful information on classification systems, including the RMi system.

The rockmass.net website has also information on other items related to engineering geology, rock engineering and design, as well as to rock mechanics for information and help to those involved in applied geology in rock constructions.

 

B. Information on the RockMass company

The RockMass consulting company works in the fields of engineering geology and rock engineering with vast Scandinavian and international experience.

 

C. Information on the author of the rockmass.net site

Dr. Arild Palmström, the author of this web site, has a M.Sc. from the Norwegian Technical University of Norway in 1967 and Ph.D. from the Oslo University, Norway in1995. He has more than 40 years of experience in applied geology, rock engineering and design.

Quotation

Important quotations will be presented here from time to time

Karl Terzaghi:
Even a very comprehensive and appropriately conducted geological survey of the site of a proposed tunnel cannot accomplish more than a very crude estimate of the length of the tunnel sections in which each of the principal types of rock conditions will be encountered. Further differentiation cannot be expected. Hence, even if methods for accurately computing the rock load under given rock conditions were available, they would have very little practical value on account of the inevitable uncertainties associated with predicting the rock conditions.