Sonmez, HarunKasapoglu, K. ErcinCoskun, AycanDinc, S. OzgeTunusluoglu, M. Celal2025-01-272025-01-272010https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12428/12576ISRM International Symposium - 6th Asian Rock Mechanics Symposium: Advances in Rock Engineering, ARMS 2010 -- 23 October 2010 through 27 October 2010 -- New Delhi -- 139012As is well known from rock mechanics literature, the mechanical parameters of a rock mass cannot be obtained by conventional laboratory tests due to the difficulties encountered in the preparation of cores from a rock mass containing discontinuities. To overcome these difficulties, researchers have focused on developing empirical equations for predicting stress-strain behavior of a rock mass, including based on measurements of the discontinuity patterns. However, the UCS value of rock mass (UCS RM ) can be predicted by decreasing UCS i based on quality of rock mass such as Rock Mass Rating (RMR), Geological Strength Index (GSI), Q value, etc. For this reason, an empirical equation in a unique reducing curve form has limited application in generalizing on the prediction of UCS RM from particularly soft rock mass to hard rock mass. In this study, a new empirical approach is developed to be used for predicting of strength of rock masses from soft to hard rock masses. In addition, a new procedure for defining of the disturbance effect on the strength of rock mass is introduced to the new empirical approach in conjunction with Hoek and Brown failure criterion. © 2010 International Society for Rock Mechanics. All rights reserved.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessForecasting; Rock mechanics; Silicon compounds; Disturbance effects; Empirical approach; Empirical equations; Geological strength index; Mechanical parameters; Rock mass rating; Rock mass strength; Stress-strain behaviors; RocksConference Object2-s2.0-84962823705N/A