Uncertainties in the Application of Rock Mass Classification and Geomechanical Models for Engineering Design in Carbonate Rocks

The main limits and uncertainties in the implementation of existing geomechanical classifications to carbonate rocks are dealt with in this paper. Starting from the peculiarities of carbonates, mostly expressed by the presence of a complex network of karst conduits and caves produced by dissolution processes, the need toward a specific classification for this category of rocks is presented, together with considerations coming out from the critical analysis of the literature