Abstract：Both weathering crust zonation and quality classification of rock mass are important for shallow-buried tunnels. Qualitative differentiation and quantitative index should be distinguished for each of the two systems in underground engineering. In granite area with relatively good geological conditions，middle and low in-situ stress and groundwater in East China，the relationship between weathering crust zonation and basic quality classification of rock mass，which has some common ground and spatial crossover in shallow-buried tunnels，is found. Taking the Daya Bay tunnel for an example，the relationship of the two systems and relative indices is discussed. As a result，it is found that the weathering crust zonation is macroscopic，and the quality classification is mesoscopic，and the latter is controlled by the former. Generally，the grade of rock mass quality is about 1.5 times higher than that of the weathering crust zonation of granites in shallow-buried tunnels in East China.
