ASSESSING THE SIGNIFICANT FACTORS IN A ROCK WEATHERING SYSTEM

The processes operating within a rock weathering system may be describ ed qualitatively in the form of an interaction matrix, comprising thos e factors which are considered significant in the system and the mecha nisms operating between them. A method of assigning site-specific valu es to the significant factors is developed, enabling a quantitative an alysis of the effects of weathering on the rock mass. Applying an inte ger code to the interactions enables the individual factors' influence within the system to be assessed. An index for weathering may be deri ved from this analysis and used, in conjunction with an index for engi neering geological properties, to characterize and zone a weathered ro ck mass.