Applicability of geomechanical classification systems to carbonate rock masses [Applicabilità dei sistemi di classificazione geomeccanica agli ammassi rocciosi carbonatici]

The paper deals with a critical analysis of the available classification systems of rock masses. Starting from the description of the most common systems, the authors illustrate their main limits in the case of carbonate rocks, where karst features (not considered in standard systems) have necessarily to be taken into account. In addition some new criteria are also considered and critically evaluated.