Rocscience acquires 3GSM. Read more

Search Results

Weak Rock

The following properties are required or available for weak rock layers:

  • Unconfined Compressive Strength (quc)
  • Reduction Factors (%) – percent decrease in computed unit resistance for layer
    • Skin Resistance Loss
    • End Bearing Loss
  • Unit Resistance Limits – maximum value of unit resistance
    • Skin Friction Limit
    • End Bearing Limit

Note that the skin friction resistance is capped by 5% of the entered Concrete Cylinder Strength in the pile properties.

The following parameters are required specifically for each method as described below. For more information see Bored Capacity Theory Manual

For weak rock models, you can combine any skin resistance model with any end-bearing model. The following parameters are required for each method.

Skin Resistance Methods:

WILLIAM AND PELLS

  • Average RQD - average rock quality designation

The ultimate unit skin (frictional) resistance (fs,ult) is computed as follows:

fs,ult =α β quc

Where:

α = 0.5 quc-0.5, adhesion factor of the intact rock based on the recommended graph below (quc in MPa units)

β = reduction factor that is related to the mass continuity factor j as shown below

j = mass continuity factor obtained from RQD value as shown below

See the theory manual for more details.

The Adhesion Factor of Intact Weak Rocks

The adhesion factor of intact weak rocks (mudstone, shale, sandstone, etc.) from Williams and Pells 1981.

The Correction Factor in Williams and Pells Method

The correction factor β in Williams and Pells method.

Mass factor j

0-25> 150.2
25-5015-80.2
50-758-50.2-0.5
75-905-10.5-0.8
90-10010.8-1

Mass factor j values corresponding to RQD

KULHAWY AND PHOON

  • Value of Chi (χ)

The ultimate unit skin (frictional) resistance (fs,ult ) is computed as follows:

The Ultimate Unit Skin (frictional) Resistance Equation

Where

Variable Definitions for The Ultimate Unit Skin (frictional) Resistance Equation

Pa = atmospheric pressure to normalize values that is taken as 100 kPa.

Tip Resistance Methods:

USER-DEFINED B

  • b parameter – see theory manual for more details

The ultimate unit end (base) resistance (qb,ult) is computed as follows:

ZHANG AND EINSTEIN

  • No additional parameters

The ultimate unit end (base) resistance (qb,ult) is computed as follows:

The ultimate unit end (base) resistance equation

Pa = atmospheric pressure to normalize values that are taken as 100 kPa.

TOMLINSON N PHI

  • Internal friction angle (Ï•)

The ultimate unit end (base) resistance (qb,ult) is computed as follows:

The ultimate unit end (base) resistance equation

Where:

Defining variables that are used in the ultimate unit end ( base) resistance equation

Rocscience logo, click here to return to the homepage Portal Account Portal Account Log In Log Out Home Shopping Cart icon Click here to search our site Click here to close Learning Tech Support Documentation Info Chevron Delete Back to Top View More" Previous Next PDF File Calendar Location Language Fees Video Click here to visit Rocscience's LinkedIn page Click here to visit Rocscience's YouTube page Click here to visit Rocscience's X page Click here to visit Rocscience's Facebook page Click here to visit Rocscience's Instagram page Click here to visit Rocscience's Reddit page Bookmark Network Scroll down for more Checkmark Download Print Back to top Single User Multiple Users RSLog RocFall3 CPillar Dips EX3 RocFall RocPlane RocSlope RocSupport RocTopple RS2 RS3 RSData RSPile Settle3 Slide2 Slide3 SWedge UnWedge RocTunnel Commercial License Education License Trial License Shop safe & secure Money-back guarantee