ABSTRACT
The chapter introduces and describes in detail the empirical methods used to design tunnels in rock. It is organized into three sections. The first one classifies the methods and defines the criteria for their use. The second section is the central part of the chapter and describes the most frequently used empirical methods in detail. The section starts with a brief historical review of empirical methods before concentrating on those that are most used at present. For each of these methods, positive and problematic aspects are mentioned. The third section provides an overall assessment of rock classification and empirical tunnel designs and methods.
