Software for RQD and rock mass evaluation

Discontinuities have to be taken into consideration in engineering projects due to their effects on mechanical and hydro geological properties of rock masses. Rock Quality Designation (RQD) gives the degree of the fractures in rock mass. It is a widely used parameter in rock quality determination because of its simplicity. Because of the reasons such as orientation, one dimensional measurement, and strict threshold value, the results of the RQD shall be controversial in most cases. Various charts were developed to evaluate the rock mass much better by using the same core length data. A software is developed to prepare these following charts. The first chart is cumulative distribution of intact core lengths on a semi logarithmic graph. Second chart is the histogram of intact length of core drills. Third chart gives a graph of RQD values according to the threshold value. Fourth chart gives the variation of RQD values along borehole. Lastly, fifth chart gives the cumulative RQD distribution histogram of rock mass. A drill data is examined by using the software. Results show that rock mass is evaluated more reliable and faster within the software based on the researches.