The geological strength index: Applications and limitations

Marinos, V; Marinos, P; Hoek, E

dc.contributor.author	Marinos, V	en
dc.contributor.author	Marinos, P	en
dc.contributor.author	Hoek, E	en
dc.date.accessioned	2014-03-01T01:23:11Z
dc.date.available	2014-03-01T01:23:11Z
dc.date.issued	2005	en
dc.identifier.issn	1435-9529	en
dc.identifier.uri	https://dspace.lib.ntua.gr/xmlui/handle/123456789/16859
dc.subject	Geological Strength	en
dc.subject	Geological structure	en
dc.subject	Index	en
dc.subject	Mechanical properties	en
dc.subject	Rock mass	en
dc.subject	Selection of the GSI	en
dc.subject.classification	Engineering, Environmental	en
dc.subject.classification	Engineering, Geological	en
dc.subject.classification	Geosciences, Multidisciplinary	en
dc.subject.other	Anisotropy	en
dc.subject.other	Deformation	en
dc.subject.other	Foundations	en
dc.subject.other	Geology	en
dc.subject.other	Groundwater	en
dc.subject.other	Mechanical properties	en
dc.subject.other	Numerical analysis	en
dc.subject.other	Structural design	en
dc.subject.other	Tunnels	en
dc.subject.other	Weathering	en
dc.subject.other	Geological strength index (GSI)	en
dc.subject.other	Rock masses	en
dc.subject.other	Rock-mass characterization	en
dc.subject.other	Visual assessments	en
dc.subject.other	Rock mechanics	en
dc.subject.other	mechanical property	en
dc.subject.other	rock property	en
dc.title	The geological strength index: Applications and limitations	en
heal.type	journalArticle	en
heal.identifier.primary	10.1007/s10064-004-0270-5	en
heal.identifier.secondary	http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10064-004-0270-5	en
heal.language	English	en
heal.publicationDate	2005	en
heal.abstract	The geological strength index (GSI) is a system of rock-mass characterization that has been developed in engineering rock mechanics to meet the need for reliable input data, particularly those related to rock-mass properties required as inputs into numerical analysis or closed form solutions for designing tunnels, slopes or foundations in rocks. The geological character of rock material, together with the visual assessment of the mass it forms, is used as a direct input to the selection of parameters relevant for the prediction of rock-mass strength and deformability. This approach enables a rock mass to be considered as a mechanical continuum without losing the influence geology has on its mechanical properties. It also provides a field method for characterizing difficult-to-describe rock masses. After a decade of application of the GSI and its variations in quantitative characterization of rock mass, this paper attempts to answer questions that have been raised by the users about the appropriate selection of the index for a range of rock masses under various conditions. Recommendations on the use of GSI are given and, in addition, cases where the GSI is not applicable are discussed. More particularly, a discussion and suggestions are presented on issues such as the size of the rock mass to be considered, its anisotropy, the influence of great depth, the presence of ground water, the aperture and the infilling of discontinuities and the properties of weathered rock masses and soft rocks. © Springer-Verlag 2005.	en
heal.publisher	SPRINGER HEIDELBERG	en
heal.journalName	Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment	en
dc.identifier.doi	10.1007/s10064-004-0270-5	en
dc.identifier.isi	ISI:000233460700002	en
dc.identifier.volume	64	en
dc.identifier.issue	1	en
dc.identifier.spage	55	en
dc.identifier.epage	65	en