The analysis of the rock mass rating system used in drift support design by finite element method

The subject of this thesis is to revise the RMR system, one of the most widely used rock mass classification systems in designing support of underground openings used in mining operations and to make recommendations for revising support design proposed by the system.Within this purpose numerical modeling technique that can give quantitative information about the stability of an opening and support performance is used.In this study, the information obtained from the mining and civil engineering projects, including different conditions such as weak and fair quality rock masses, conducted by different researchers are used as field data. Using the field data, underground openings excavated in different depth and under different stress conditions are modeled numerically and the deformations occurring around underground openings are obtained. Evaluations about the opening stability and support performance are made based on numerical models and obtained deformations.As a result of this master thesis deficiencies included in the support design proposed by the RMR system are defined and remedial suggestions are made.