Development and field application of a JRC rapid measuring instrument for rock joints
LYU Yuanjun1, 2, LIU Weiming1, DU Shigui1, 2, 3, YU Qiaojuan1, SONG Jiamin1, 2, TANG Zhicheng2*
(1. Institute of Rock Mechanics, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China; 2. State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Deep Metal Mining and Equipment, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang 312000, China; 3. Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Rock Mechanics and Geohazards, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang 312000, China)
Abstract： Two-dimensional contour lines play a crucial role in the rapid assessment of rock joint characteristics and shear strength. The challenge of accurately and portably acquiring the contour features of field rock joints, along with the efficient completion of joint roughness coefficient (JRC) evaluation, remains a significant technical hurdle in the development of contemporary contour measuring instruments. This study develops and integrates four key modules: contour feature parallel measurement, information acquisition and operation control, human-computer interaction and remote communication, and high-efficiency JRC evaluation for rock joints, based on the mechanical structures, measurement methods, and JRC evaluation approaches of existing instruments. A portable JRC rapid measuring instrument suitable for field use has been created, and its accuracy has been validated through assessments of specimen material, profile inclination, and illumination intensity. Both the instrument and a laser scanner were utilized to measure the same rock joint in the field. Results indicate that the profile curves obtained from the instrument align closely with those captured by laser scanning, demonstrating the instrument's high efficiency and strong adaptability to various environmental conditions. Direct shear tests were conducted on specimens prepared using the measured rock joint data, and the JRC values back-calculated from these tests were compared with those obtained from the instrument. This verification confirms that the JRC evaluation method based on the proposed instrument exhibits high accuracy. This research provides essential technical support for the development of contour measuring instruments for rock joints and advances the study of JRC measurement.
吕原君1，2，刘维明1，杜时贵1，2，3，余乔娟1，宋佳敏1，2，唐志成2*. 野外岩体结构面JRC速测仪的研制与现场应用[J]. 岩石力学与工程学报, 2026, 45(10): 3130-3143.
LYU Yuanjun1, 2, LIU Weiming1, DU Shigui1, 2, 3, YU Qiaojuan1, SONG Jiamin1, 2, TANG Zhicheng2*. Development and field application of a JRC rapid measuring instrument for rock joints. , 2026, 45(10): 3130-3143.
[1] FANG K，TANG H M，LI C D，et al. Centrifuge modelling of landslides and landslide hazard mitigation：A review[J]. Geoscience Frontiers，2023，14(1)：101493.
[2] YONG R，ZHONG Z，LI Y C，et al. Experimental evidence for the critical wavelet transform level in multi-scale roughness decomposition of rock joints[J]. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences，2024，175：105662.
[3] BARTON N，WANG C S，YONG R. Advances in joint roughness coefficient (JRC) and its engineering applications[J]. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering，2023，15(12)：3 352–3 379.
[4] BARTON N，CHOUBEY V. The shear strength of rock joints in theory and practice[J]. Rock Mechanics，1977，10(1)：1–54.
[5] BARTON N. Suggested methods for the quantitative description of discontinuities in rock masses[J]. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences and Geomechanics Abstracts，1978，15(6)：319–368.
[6] 顾 岩，雍 睿，沈 伟，等. 基于轮廓曲线的岩体结构面三维粗糙度获取方法[J]. 岩土力学，2023，44(增1)：485–494.(GU Yan，YONG Rui，SHEN Wei，et al. 3D roughness obtaining method of rock joint based on profile measurement[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics，2023，44(Supp.1)：485–494.(in Chinese))
[7] DU S G，HU Y J，HU X F. Measurement of joint roughness coefficient by using profilograph and roughness ruler[J]. Journal of Earth Science，2009，20(5)：890–896.
[8] 夏才初，孙宗颀. RSP–I型智能岩石表面形貌仪[J]. 水利学报，1995，26(6)：62–66.(XIA Caichu，SUN Zongqi. RSP–I type intellgent profilometer of rock surface[J]. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering，1995，26(6)：62–66.(in Chinese))
[9] AYDAN Q，SHIMIZU Y，KAWAMOTO T. The anisotropy of surface morphology characteristics of rock discontinuities[J]. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering，1996，29(1)：47–59.
[10] 尹红梅，张宜虎，孔祥辉. 结构面剪切强度参数三维分形估算[J]. 水文地质工程地质，2011，38(4)：58–62.(YIN Hongmei，ZHANG Yihu，KONG Xianghui. Estimation of joint shear strength based on fractal method[J]. Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology，2011，38(4)：58–62.(in Chinese))
[11] 吉 锋，石豫川，冯文凯. 一种新型的结构面起伏形态测量工具——接触打孔器的研制[C]// 第三届全国岩土与工程学术大会. 成都：[s. n.]，2009：651–653.(JI Feng，SHI Yuchuan，FENG Wenkai. Development of a novel structural plane undulation measurement tool——contact puncher[C]// The 3rd National Conference on Geotechnics and Engineering. Chengdu：[s. n.]，2009：651–653.(in Chinese))
[12] TATONE B S A，GRASSELLI G. A new 2D discontinuity roughness parameter and its correlation with JRC[J]. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences，2010，47(8)：1 391–1 400.
[13] ALAMEDA-HERNÁNDEZ P，JIMÉNEZ-PERÁLVAREZ J，PALENZUELA J A，et al. Improvement of the JRC calculation using different parameters obtained through a new survey method applied to rock discontinuities[J]. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering，2014，47(6)：2 047–2 060.
[14] KIM D H，POROPAT G，GRATCHEV I，et al. Assessment of the accuracy of close distance photogrammetric JRC data[J]. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering，2016，49(11)：4 285–4 301.
[15] MARSCH K，FERNANDEZ-STEEGER T M. Comparative evaluation of statistical and fractal approaches for JRC calculation based on a large dataset of natural rock traces[J]. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering，2021，54(4)：1 897–1 917.
[16] FECKER E，RENGERS N. Measurement of large scale roughnesses of rock planes by means of profilograph and geological compass[C]// Proceedings of the ISRM International Symposium. Nancy：[s. n.]，1971：ISRM-IS-1971-018.
[17] FARDIN N，STEPHANSSON O，JING L R. The scale dependence of rock joint surface roughness[J]. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences，2001，38(5)：659–669.
[18] MOOSAVI M，RAFSANJANI H，MEHRANPOUR M，et al. An investigation of surface roughness measurement in rock joints with a 3D scanning device[C]// Proceedings of the 3rd International Society for Rock Mechanics on Rock Characterisation，Modelling and Engineering Design Methods. Shanghai：[s. n.]，2013，DOI：10.1201/b14917-20.
[19] GE Y F，KULATILAKE P H S W，TANG H M，et al. Investigation of natural rock joint roughness[J]. Computers and Geotechnics，2014，55：290–305.
[20] ABOLFAZLI M，FAHIMIFAR A. An investigation on the correlation between the joint roughness coefficient(JRC) and joint roughness parameters[J]. Construction and Building Materials，2020，259：120415.
[21] SHINTASSOVA M，SEPÚLVEDA S A，FATOLAHZADEH S. Enhanced method for measuring joint roughness using sub-millimeter resolution 3D laser scanning[C]// Proceedings of the ARMA US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium. [S. l.]：American Rock Mechanics Association，2024：D022S018R003.
[22] TATONE B S A，GRASSELLI G. An investigation of discontinuity roughness scale dependency using high-resolution surface measurements[J]. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering，2013，46(4)：657–681.
[23] LIU Q S，TIAN Y C，LIU D F，et al. Updates to JRC-JCS model for estimating the peak shear strength of rock joints based on quantified surface description[J]. Engineering Geology，2017，228：282–300.
[24] LI K Z，RAMANDI H L，ZHANG C G，et al. Exploring the capabilities of portable device photogrammetry for 3D surface roughness evaluation[J]. International Journal of Mining，Reclamation and Environment，2023，37(8)：630–647.
[25] ONYIA T M，OLARINOYE I A A，JIMOH S A. Advancements and challenges in 3D scanning：a comprehensive review of engineering applications[J]. African Journal of Advances in Science and Technology Research，2025，18(1)：191–206.
[26] ALAMEDA-HERNÁNDEZ P，EL HAMDOUNI R，IRIGARAY C，et al. Weak foliated rock slope stability analysis with ultra-close-range terrestrial digital photogrammetry[J]. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment，2019，78(2)：1 157–1 171.
[27] GARCÍA-LUNA R，SENENT S，JIMENEZ R. Using telephoto lens to characterize rock surface roughness in SfM models[J]. Rock mechanics and rock engineering，2021，54(5)：2 369–2 382.
[28] ZHANG X B，CAO Z S，MA Y L，et al. A roughness quantification method of rock discontinuity considering the influence of both inclination and amplitude of asperities[J]. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment，2025，84(6)：322.
[29] SONG L B，JIANG Q，DU S G，et al. Optimizing profile line interval for enhanced accuracy in rock joint morphology and shear strength assessments[J]. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology，2024，34(5)：587–608.
[30] QIN J B，YE J，SUN X M，et al. Entropy consistency-based adaptive sampling method for determining the scale effect in the joint roughness coefficient[J]. Journal of Earth Science，2025，36(2)：644–653.
[31] HE L，ZHAO Z M，CHEN J Y，et al. Empirical shear strength criterion for rock joints based on joint surface degradation characteristics during shearing[J]. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering，2020，53(8)：3 609–3 624.
[32] SUN Q，DU L Z，ZHANG W，et al. High-precision in-situ acquisition of joint morphology data and geometric heterogeneity study of roughness[J]. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment，2025，84(10)：443.
[33] MA X F，CAI Z Q，YAO B，et al. Analysis of factors affecting measurement accuracy and establishment of an optimal measurement strategy of a laser displacement sensor[J]. Applied Optics，2020，59(33)：10 626–10 637.
[34] 中华人民共和国行业标准编写组. T/CSRME 005—2020 露天矿山边坡岩体结构面抗剪强度获取技术规程[S]. 北京：冶金工业出版社，2020.(The Professional Standards Compilation Group of People?s Republic of China. T/CSRME 005—2020 Technical specification for determination of shear strength of rock discontinuities of open pit mine slopes[S]. Beijing：Metallurgical Industry Press，2020.(in Chinese))
[35] 中华人民共和国行业标准编写组. T/CSRME 025—2022 岩体结构面粗糙度非接触测量技术规程[S]. 北京：中国标准出版社，2022.(The Professional Standards Compilation Group of People?s Republic of China. T/CSRME 025—2022 Technical specification for roughness non-contact measurement of rock discontinuity[S]. Beijing：Standards Press of China，2022.(in Chinese))
[36] LIU S L，WANG C S，YONG R. Determining the optimal sampling interval for 3D morphology measurements of different-sized natural rock joints[J]. Measurement，2024，230：114522.
[37] MYERS N O. Characterization of surface roughness[J]. Wear，1962，5(3)：182–189.
[38] YANG Z Y，LO S C，DI C C. Reassessing the joint roughness coefficient(JRC) estimation using Z2[J]. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering，2001，34(3)：243–251.
[39] BARTON N. Review of a new shear-strength criterion for rock joints[J]. Engineering Geology，1973，7(4)：287–332.
[40] 刘维明，王昌硕，张希巍，等. 考虑非平稳趋势向影响的结构面抗剪强度模型研究[J]. 岩石力学与工程学报，2023，42(2)：378–390. (LIU Weiming，WANG Changshuo，ZHANG Xiwei，et al. Study on the shear strength model of rock joints considering the influence of non-stationary trend[J]. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering，2023，42(2)：378–390.(in Chinese))
2026, Vol. 45 
