Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A rapid field measurement method for the determination of Joint Roughness Coefficient of large rock joint surfaces

  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Published:
KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Aims and scope

Abstract

An accurate measurement of the Joint Roughness Coefficient (JRC) of large rock joints is essential for understanding the mechanical behavior and permeability characteristics of rock mass. Determining the surface roughness of rock joints in situ, however, is time-consuming and depends on sophisticated instruments. This study was carried out to develop a systematic method of measuring the JRC values of large joint roughness profiles. The roughness profiles were accurately recorded by a hand profilograph in the field and then digitized with flexibly adjusted sampling intervals by the grayscale image processing method. The digitized profiles were correlated closely with the original roughness profiles. A computerized approach for JRC quantitative evaluation was proposed based on the roughness amplitude/joint length relationship with JRC. The interval effect analysis showed that this method was effective for estimating the JRC values of different sized rock joints. This JRC measurement method has been successfully used in a case study of killas rock joints in Changshan City, P.R. China.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alameda-Hernández, P., Jiménez-Perálvarez, J., Palenzuela, J. A., El Hamdouni, R., Irigaray, C., Cabrerizo, M. A., and Chacón, J. (2014). “Improvement of the JRC Calculation using different parameters obtained through a new survey method applied to rock discontinuities.” Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Vol. 47, No. 6, pp. 2047–2060, DOI: 10.1007/s00603-013-0532-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barton, N. and Choubey, V. (1977). “The shear strength of rock joints in theory and practice.” Rock mechanics, Vol. 10, Nos. 1-2, pp. 1–54, DOI: 10.1007/BF01261801.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bandis, S., Lumsden, A., and Barton, N. (1981). “Experimental studies of scale effects on the shear behaviour of rock joints.” International journal of rock mechanics and mining sciences & geomechanics abstracts, Vol. 18, pp. 1–21, DOI: 10.1016/0148-9062(81)90262-X.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Du, S. (1999). Engineering behavior of discontinuities in rock mass, Beijing: Seismological Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Du, S. (1997). “The practicability of fractal methods on estimating rock joint roughness coefficient.” Earth Science, Vol. 22, No. 6, pp. 665–668. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Du, S., Hu, Y., and Hu, X. (2009). “Measurement of joint roughness coefficient by using profilograph and roughness ruler.” Journal of Earth Science, Vol. 20, pp. 890–896. (in Chinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Du, S. G., Hang, M., Luo, Z. Y., Jia, R. D. and Wang, Y. M. (2010). “Scale effect of undulation amplitude of rock joints.” Journal of Enigneering Geolog, Vol. 18, pp. 47–52. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fardin, N., Stephansson, O., and Jing, L. (2001). “The scale dependence of rock joint surface roughness.” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 38, No. 5, pp. 659–669, DOI: 10.1016/S1365-1609(01)00028-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fardin, N., Feng, Q., and Stephansson, O. (2004). “Application of a new in situ 3D laser scanner to study the scale effect on the rock joint surface roughness.” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 41, No. 2, pp. 329–335, DOI: 10.1016/S1365-1609(03)00111-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feng, Q., Fardin, N., Jing, L., and Stephansson, O. (2003). “A new method for in-situ non-contact roughness measurement of large rock fracture surfaces.” Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 3–25, DOI: 10.1007/s00603-002-0033-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao, Y. and Wong, L. N. Y. (2015). “A modified correlation between roughness parameter Z2 and the JRC.” Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Vol. 48, No. 1, pp. 387–396, DOI: 10.1007/s00603-013-0505-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ge, Y., Tang, H., Eldin, M. M. E., Chen, P., Wang, L., and Wang, J. (2015). “A Description for rock joint roughness based on terrestrial laser scanner and image analysis.” Scientific Reports, Vol. 5, pp. 1–10, DOI: 10.1038/srep16999.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ge, Y., Kulatilake, P. H., Tang, H., and Xiong, C. (2014). “Investigation of natural rock joint roughness.” Computers and Geotechnics, Vol. 55, pp 290–305, DOI: 10.1016/j.compgeo.2013.09.015.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grasselli, G., Wirth, J., and Egger, P. (2002). “Quantitative threedimensional description of a rough surface and parameter evolution with shearing.” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 39, No. 6, pp. 789–800, DOI: 10.1016/S1365-1609(02)00070-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haneberg, W. C. (2007). Directional roughness profiles from threedimensional photogrammetric or laser scanner point clouds. In E. Eberhardt, D. Stead, & T. Morrison (eds.), Rock Mechanics: Meeting Society’s Challenges and Demands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hong, E.-S., Lee, I.-M., Cho, G.-C. and Lee, S.-W. (2014). “New approach to quantifying rock joint roughness based on roughness mobilization characteristics.” KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, Vol. 18, No. 4, pp. 984–991, DOI: 10.1007/s12205-014-0333-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hsiung, S. M., Ghosh, A., Ahola, M. P., and Chowdhury, A. H. (1993). “Assessment of conventional methodologies for joint roughness coefficient determination.” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts, Vol. 30, No. 7, pp. 825–829, DOI: 10.1016/0148-9062(93)90030-H.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, X. and Du S. (2008). “Concise formula of Barton’s straight edge method for joint roughness coefficient.” Journal of Engineering Geology, Vol. 16, No. 02, pp. 196–200. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jang, H., Kang, S., and Jang, B. (2014). “Determination of joint roughness coefficients using roughness parameters.” Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Vol. 47, No. 6, pp. 2061–2073, DOI: 10.1007/s00603-013-0535-z.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, Y., Li, B., and Tanabashi, Y. (2006). “Estimating the relation between surface roughness and mechanical properties of rock joints.” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 43, No. 6, pp. 837–846, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2005.11.013.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, D. H., Gratchev, I., and Balasubramaniam, A. (2013). “Determination of Joint Roughness Coefficient (JRC) for slope stability analysis: A case study from the Gold Coast area, Australia.” Landslides, Vol. 10, No. 5, pp. 657–664, DOI: 10.1007/s10346-013-0410-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kwon, T.-H., Hong, E.-S., and Cho, G.-C. (2010) “Shear behavior of rectangular-shaped asperities in rock joints.” KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 323–332. DOI: 10.1007/s12205-010-0323-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kulatilake, P. H. S. W., and Um, J. (1999). “Requirements for accurate quantification of self-affine roughness using the roughness–length method.” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 5–18, DOI: 10.1007/BF01045716.

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, Y. H., Carr, J. R., Barr, D. J., and Haas, C. J. (1990). “The fractal dimension as a measure of the roughness of rock discontinuity profiles.” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts, Vol. 27, No. 6, pp. 453–464, DOI: 10.1016/0148-9062(90)90998-H.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y. and Zhang, Y. (2015). “Quantitative estimation of joint roughness coefficient using statistical parameters.” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 77, pp. 27–35, DOI: org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2015.03.016.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mah, J., Samson, C., McKinnon, S. D., and Thibodeau, D. (2013). “3D laser imaging for surface roughness analysis.” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 58, pp. 111–117, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2012.08.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maerz, N. H., Franklin, J. A., and Bennett, C. P. (1990). “Joint roughness measurement using shadow profilometry.” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics, Vol. 27, No. 5, pp. 329–343, DOI:10.1016/0148-9062(90)92708-M.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morelli, G. L. (2014). “On joint roughness: measurements and use in rock mass characterization.” Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 345–362. DOI: 10.1007/s10706-013-9718-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ohnishi, Y. and Herda, H. (1993). “Shear strength scale effect and the geometry of single and repeated rock joints.” Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on Scale Effects in Rock Masses, pp. 167–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rousseau, B., Rivard, P., Marache, A., Ballivy, G., and Riss, J. (2012). “Limitations of laser profilometry in measuring surface topography of polycrystalline rocks.” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 52, pp. 56–60, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrmms. 2012.03.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swan, G. and Zongqi, S. (1985). “Prediction of shear behaviour of joints using profiles.” Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 183–212. DOI: 10.1007/BF01112506.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang, H., Yong, R., and Eldin, M. E. (2016). “Stability analysis of stratified rock slopes with spatially variable strength parameters: The case of Qianjiangping landslide.” Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, pp. 1–15, DOI: 10.1007/s10064-016-0876-4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tatone, B. S. A (2009). Quantitative characterization of natural rock discontinuity roughness in-situ and in the laboratory, ([Ph.D. thesis]), University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tatone, B. S. A. and Grasselli, G. (2010). “A new 2D discontinuity roughness parameter and its correlation with JRC.” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 47, No. 8, pp. 1391–1400, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2010.06.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tatone, B. S. A. and Grasselli, G. (2013). “An investigation of discontinuity roughness scale dependency using high-resolution surface measurements.” Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Vol. 46, No. 4, 657–681, DOI: 10.1007/s00603-012-0294-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tse, R. and Cruden, D. (1979). “Estimating joint roughness coefficients.” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics, Vol. 16, pp. 303–307, DOI: 10.1016/0148-9062 (79)90241-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ueng, T. S., Jou, Y. J., and Peng, I. H. (2010). “Scale effect on shear strength of computer-aided-manufactured joints.” Journal of Geoengineering, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 29–37, DOI: 10.6310/jog.2010.5(2).

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie, H., Wang, J. A., and Xie, W. H. (1997). “Fractal effects of surface roughness on the mechanical behavior of rock joints.” Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 221–252, DOI: 10.1016/S0960-0779(96)00050-1.

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, Z. Y., Di, C. C., and Yen, K. C. (2001). “The effect of asperity order on the roughness of rock joints.” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 38, No. 5, pp. 745–752, DOI: 10.1016/S1365-1609(01)00032-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ye, J., Yong, R., Liang, Q. F., Huang, M., and Du, S. G. (2016). “Neutrosophic functions of the joint roughness coefficient and the shear strength: A case study from the pyroclastic rock mass in shaoxing city, China.” Mathematical Problems in Engineering, Vol. 2016, Article ID 4825709, pp. 1–9, DOI: 10.1155/2016/4825709.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yong, R., Li, C.D., Ye, J., Huang, M., and Du, S. (2016). “Modified limiting equilibrium method for stability analysis of stratified rock slopes.” Mathematical Problems in Engineering, Vol. 2016, Article ID 8381021, pp. 1–9, DOI: 10.1155/2016/8381021.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, X. and Vayssade, B. (1991). “Joint profiles and their roughness parameters.” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts, Vol. 28, No. 4, pp. 333–336, DOI: 10.1016/0148-9062(91)90598-G.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, G., Karakus, M., Tang, H., and Zhang, L. (2014). “A new method estimating the 2D Joint Roughness Coefficient for discontinuity surfaces in rock masses.” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 72, pp. 191–198, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2014.09.009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Civil Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, P. R. China

    Rui Yong, Xi Fu, Man Huang, Qifeng Liang & Shi-Gui Du

  2. Dept. of Civil Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada

    Rui Yong

Authors
  1. Rui Yong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xi Fu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Man Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Qifeng Liang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Shi-Gui Du
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shi-Gui Du.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yong, R., Fu, X., Huang, M. et al. A rapid field measurement method for the determination of Joint Roughness Coefficient of large rock joint surfaces. KSCE J Civ Eng 22, 101–109 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-017-0654-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-017-0654-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation