Evaluation of rock mass deformability using RMR and GSI – A review

The increase in rock engineering projects over the last decades, has made an increase in the importance of the determination of the rock mass parameters. One of these important parameters is the rock mass deformation modulus. Although the modulus of deformation of rock masses has crucial importance for geotechnical projects, such as tunnels and dams, the determination of this parameter by in situ tests requires considerable costs and involves difficult operational processes. For this reason, empirical equations for the indirect estimation of the modulus of deformation are an interesting issue for rock engineers and engineering geologists. These empirical methods exist in different forms and are scattered in different sources. Therefore, it is often difficult, time-consuming, or even impossible for a practitioner to find the appropriate information to determine the deformation modulus of rock masses for a particular project. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to comprehensive review and collection empirical relationships of rock mass deformation related to RMR and GSI parameters.