Evaluation of empirical approaches in estimating the deformation modulus of rock masses

The rock mass deformation modulus is an important parameter for analysis of the mechanical behaviour rock structures. Due to high cost, time consuming activity and difficulties in interpretation of in-situ measurements, a number of empirical methods have been developed to estimate the deformation modulus on the basis of classification systems. However, due to a large number of empirical equations, the practical rock engineers have encountered...