Rock mass index (RMI)‎ assessment for the carbonate rock masses around al-Salman depression, south of Iraq

الملخص EN

The current work is carried out to classify the carbonate rock masses around the Al-Salman Depression, using the Rock Mass Index (RMi) system.

The RMi system uses the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of the intact rock and the jointing parameters, which is a combined measure of the block size (or intensity of jointing) and joint characteristics.

This method measures the reduction of intact rock strength caused by discontinuities and can be applied in various types of rock engineering works and design, using field observation and measurements, and from empirical relationships.

The RMi system was applied to the carbonate rock masses of the Middle Unit of the Dammam Formation (Middle Eocene age), which forms the rock slopes around Al-Salman Depression, Southwest Iraq.

The current work.

The results of this work denoted that all the rock masses of the studied sites are rated as; “Very High RMi” for sites; 3 and 5, and “High RMi” for the other studied sites.

These are due to the “Very Strong” and “Strong” strength, “Massive” and “Blocky” rock masses.