A Modified Engineering Classification Method for Schistose Surrounding Rocks of Tunnel

For schistose surrounding rocks of tunnel, engineering classification of rock masses by the widely used BQ method in China are often inconsistent with the reality. In this study, microtests and uniaxial compression test were performed on three types of quartz mica schist. Microtests reveal that the schist is characterized by natural orientation and interbedded distribution of minerals and microfissures are prone to be distributed directionally along the smooth edge of flaky minerals. Mechanical test shows that the compressive strength of schist samples has U-shaped change with the varied loading direction. Moreover, the strength anisotropy degree of the schist is positively correlated with the development of schistosity planes, and the strength anisotropy increases significantly after saturation. When the direction of uniaxial load applied to the samples changes gradually, the splitting-tensile, shear-slip and shear failure occur respectively, indicating that the dominant factors affecting the strength of schist specimens are not uniform. In particular, the strength of specimens with transverse schistosity planes is less affected by the weak planes. Based on the experimental study, a new model considering the schistosity development degree was constructed, which is served as the evaluation of the basic quality of schistose rock mass. By regression analysis on 168 sets of practical data, an optimized BQ equation was further developed. Then a correction coefficient table was put forward based on numerical simulation, which is helpful to correctly determine the final engineering grade of surrounding rock. Case study shows that the improved BQ method is more reliable for classifying engineering grade of schistose surrounding rock.