ABSTRACT
In order to be able to coherently design an underground rock engineering project, one has to be able to predict the future. For example, what will happen when a tunnel of this diameter, at this depth, excavated in this direction, in this rock mass, is constructed? Will rock blocks fall into the tunnel, will the concentrated rock stress damage the tunnel, will the tunnel encounter any major faults? If one is unable to answer questions such as these, indicating that the future cannot be predicted, the design of the project is subject to some level of uncertainty and risk. Since, we cannot yet obtain full information about any rock mass, all rock engineering projects are subject to uncertainty and hence risk. Reduction of the risks is directly related to reduction of the uncertainties and so, for improved rock engineering design, we must concentrate on the uncertainties involved. In the worst case, lack of attention to this subject could endanger lives and prejudice the functionality of the completed project.
