Characterization of intensely jointed rock masses by means of in situ penetration tests

This paper proposes a new method of in situ analysis to characterize this type of highly fractured rock mass accurately, applied here to the case of the large-scale slopes of an open-cast coal mine. The method is based on carrying out a novel in situ penetration test to obtain the strength properties of the ground as a whole. The results are calibrated by means of numeric simulation. Further, back analysis of the current slopes in the mine was carried out using classical methods to test the reliability of the results obtained using this technique.