Abstract: Structural homogeneity of rock mass is divided according to project features. In practice, we must choose influential elements of the project as the basis of dividing. In this article, a method integrating qualitative and quantitative approaches of dividing structural homogeneity of rock mass is put forward for researching the permeability of rock mass with boreholes for deep geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste. Research results revealed that fracture and alteration zone were not fully taken into account in the qualitative method based on mechanical causes of structural plane. On the other hand, in quantitative method such as Miller method, fracture width as a major factor affecting the permeability of rock mass was ignored. In conclusion, to combining qualitative and quantitative methods could achieve better results by taking into account more parameters of structural plane as well as more detailed dividing parts. The proposed method provides data support for subsequent network modeling and seepage calculation.

Key words: rock mass structure, dividing method for homogeneous area, mechanical causes, Miller method, combining qualitative and quantitative method