References
Hudson, J. A., and Harrison, J. P. (2005): Engineering rock Mechanics
an introduction to the principles (4th Edi.),
Elsevier Ltd. (Pub.), Amsterdam, 457 P.
Hunt, R. E. (2005): Geotechnical Engineering Investigation Handbook
(2nd Edi.), Taylor & Francis Group (Pub.),
Boca Raton, 1033 P.
Mathewson, C. C. (1981): Engineering Geology, Charles, E. Merrill Co.
(Pub.), Columbus, Ohio, 450 P.
Rock Identification
(4) Igneous rocks are good for dimension stone (tombstone etc.) because
their resistance to weathering but need avoid fractures.
(2) Fine-grained sedimentary rocks like limestone and dolomite are the
best for being used as aggregates; siltstone, shale, conglomerate,
and quartz sandstone are not acceptable.
(3) Stream and terrace gravel contains weak pieces, they are not good for
aggregates in concrete.
(1) The metamorphic rocks also have the Alkali-silica reaction problem
when used as aggregates with Portland cement. The metamorphic
rocks with this problem are phyllite, impure quartzite, and granite
gneiss.
(3) For metamorphic rocks the stability of rock mass greatly affected by
the foliation orientation.
Northeast joint
set
Physical Properties
1- Water Content
2- Porosity
3- Density
4- Absorption
5- Abrasiveness by Los Angeles Machine
Percent loss = (material finer than 0.141 mm) / (original weight)
Mechanical Properties
1- Strength
2- Elastic Modulus
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The strength of rock substances is divided into Uniaxial comp. strength
A- Compressive strength
1- uniaxial compressive strength qu = F / A
2- Schmidt Hammer
Schmidt Hammer
B- Tensile strength
1- Brazilian test
2- Point load test
T = 0.636 F/DK
K: thickness of specimen Point load test
C- Shear strength
τf = F / A
3
F: total shear force
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Schmidt Hammer
Compressive strength of rock surface (UCS) MPa
Kahraman (2001)
qu (MPa) = 6.97 e(0.014R ρ)
Relationships between
rebound number and
UCS (After Deere and
Miller, 1966).
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Stress – strain relationship of any rock is
controlled to a large degree by the
mineralogy, bedding plane, banding and
other characteristics of rock structures
and fabric
Plastic Def.
Plastic Def.
Compressive
and Tensile
Strengths
Δσ
τ σ
τ
100% 100% Et =Δτ / Δσ
50%
Δτ
Δτ
σ Δσ σ
Δσ
Es =Δτ / Δσ Eav =Δτ / Δσ
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Classification of Young’s modulus (after Anon, 1979).
Young’s modulus
Evaporites
3- Core logging
The rock mass is described by the following items according to ISRM (Brown, 1981)
1- Orientation (Attitude of a discontinuity in space)
strike, dip direction, and dip amount
2- Spacing (perpendicular distance between adjacent discontinuities)
3- Persistence (a discontinuity trace length as observed in an exposure)
4- Roughness (inherent surface roughness and waviness of a discontinuity)
5- Wall strength (compressive strength of the adjacent rock walls of a discontinuity)
6- Aperture (perpendicular distance between adjacent rock walls of a discontinuity)
7- Filling (the filling materials that separate the adjacent rock walls of a discontinuity)
8- Seepage (water flow and free moisture visible in individual discontinuities or in the rock mass
as a whole)
9- Number of sets ( the number of the discontinuities sets)
10- Block size (rock block dimensions resulting from the mutual orientation of intersecting
discontinuities sets)
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Description
2- Spacing
Terminology for
discontinuity spacing
according to ISRM
(Brown, 1981)
< 20 mm
3 -Persistence
persistence
Terms for the description of one-
dimensional persistence persistence
according to ISRM (Brown, persistence
1981)
persistence
Aperture Description
< 0.1 (mm) Very tight
0.1 – 0.25 (mm) Tight Closed
0.25 – 0.50 (mm) Partly open
0.50 – 2.50 (mm) Open
2.50 – 10.0 (mm) Moderately wide Gapped
> 10.0 (mm) Wide
1.0 – 10.0 (cm) Very wide
10.0 – 100.0 (cm) Extremely wide Open
> 100.0 (cm) Cavernous
7- Filling materials
Mineral composition, grain or crystal size, strength, water content,
permeability, soil index properties, weathering grade and
swelling potentiality.
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8- Seepage Seepage description according to ISRM (Brown, 1981)
Seepage Seepage
Description Description
rate rate
The discontinuity is very tight and dry,
The filling materials are heavily
I and water flow along it does not appear I
consolidate and dry.
possible.
The discontinuity is dry with no evidence The filling materials are wet , but no
II II
of water flow. free water is present
The discontinuity is dry with evidence of The filling materials are wet , occasional
III III
water flow. drops of water
The discontinuity is wet but no free The filling materials show signs of
IV IV
water is present. outwash, continuous flow of water.
The discontinuity shows seepage, The filling materials are washed out
V occasional drops of water, but no V locally, considerable water flow along
continuous flow. out- wash channels.
The filling materials are washed out
The discontinuity shows a continuous
VI VI completely and show a continuous flow
flow of water.
of water.
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Tunnel wall
Seepage rate Description
I Dry wall and roof, no detectable seepage.
II Minor seepage, specify dripping discontinuities.
III Medium inflow, specify discontinuities with continuous flow.
IV Major inflow, specify discontinuities with strong flows.
9- Number of sets
10- Block size
Northwest joint set
Block size description , Anon (1977)
Very large > 8 m3
Deere, (1968)
The following six parameters are used to classify a rock mass using the RMR system: