Fractal parameter approach on weathering grade determination of Çeşme (Izmir, Turkey) tuffs

Tuffs, classified as weak rock to hard soil with respect to their strength, slake on exposure, hence engineering problems occur as they weather and loosen. Weathering grades were determined in the field and in the laboratory using petrographic, chemical, physico-mechanical, P-wave velocity, and slake durability measures. Strong correlations were found between chemical weathering index, average porosity and fractal parameters based on the slake durability test results. The shapes of the tuff particles before and after the slaking test were investigated using the fractal dimension method to explain numerically the variations of the surface characteristics of the test samples due to weathering. Two fractal parameters are proposed for the second and fifth cycles of the slake durability test. The study has shown that for assessing the weathering state of tuffs, the fractal dimension approach could be a more effective tool than other methods of weathering grade determination.     

A correlation between P-wave velocity,impact strength index,slake durability index and uniaxial compressive strength

Impact strength index, slake durability index and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) are important properties of a rock mass which are used widely in geological and geotechnical engineering. In this study, the mechanical properties of one igneous, three sedimentary and three metamorphic rock types were determined in the laboratory and correlated with P-wave velocity. Empirical equations have been developed to predict the impact strength index, slake durability index and UCS from P-wave velocity, which may avoid the necessity for time-consuming and tedious laboratory testing. To check the sensitivity of the empirical relations, a t test was performed which confirmed the validity of the proposed correlations.      

龙游石窟砂岩在不同含水状态下的弹性波速与力学性能

 为研究水环境变化对龙游石窟风化破坏的影响,进行不同含水状态下砂岩的力学性能和弹性波测试,分析在不同含水条件下砂岩的应力–应变曲线、峰值强度和弹性模量的变化规律。分析结果表明：含水率对岩石的应力–应变曲线、峰值强度和弹性模量等力学性质有显著影响,随着含水率的增加,应变软化特性弱化,峰值强度和弹性模量呈指数减少。弹性波速的测试结果表明,单轴抗压强度与波速具有线性关系;含水率为1.5％时,弹性波速出现反常,降低到一个很低的值,主要原因是砂岩中含有较多膨胀性的黏土矿物;各向异性受含水率的影响并不明显;干燥、稳定的环境有利于洞室的保护。     

Some factors affecting the uniaxial strength of weak sandstones

The paper reports on a study of the weak sandstones of the Shihti and Kweichulin Formations to the east of Taipei, Taiwan. The results indicate that the wave velocity and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of the samples decreased as water content increased, while wave velocity, UCS and slake durability increased with increasing porosity. Regression analyses demonstrated that wave velocity, UCS and slake durability decreased with increased quartz content. The values of these engineering properties also increased with a higher proportion of matrix/detritus, although the exact nature of the interrelationships between these factors is not clear.     

Correlation between slake durability and rock properties for some carbonate rocks

The paper reports a study to assess the relationship between slake durability indices and uniaxial compressive strength, Schmidt hardness, P-wave velocity, modulus of elasticity, effective porosity, water absorption and dry and saturated unit weight for seven types of carbonate rocks obtained from south west Turkey. It was found that the dry unit weight, saturated unit weight and Schmidt hardness gave the best relationship with first cycle slake durability (r = 0.99) while uniaxial compressive strength has a strong relationship with fourth cycle slake durability (r = 0.94). The results showed little difference in the correlation coefficients obtained after the fourth cycle. It is concluded that, for the rocks studied, the first and fourth cycles provide sufficiently good data on the durability for preliminary engineering/design works and that the second to fourth cycle results could be estimated using the first cycle slake durability index (r = 0.99–0.97).     

Experimental study of the influence of water and temperature on the mechanical behavior of mudstone and sandstone

Understanding the influence of water and temperature on the mechanical behaviors of coal measure rocks is important for deep coal resource exploitation. Using an electro-hydraulic servo-controlled testing system (MTS816) with a self-designed thermostatic water tank, a series of water absorption experiments and uniaxial compression experiments were performed on mudstone and sandstone samples that were immersed in water under different temperature conditions (from 25 to 95 °C). The water absorption characteristics at different temperatures and the effect of water and temperature on the mechanical strength, deformation and failure mode of the samples under uniaxial compression were systematically analyzed. In addition, computerized tomography (CT) scanning was used to examine the microstructural changes in the mudstone and sandstone before and after water saturation at different water temperatures. The results from the water absorption tests show that the water content of the mudstone and sandstone samples kept increasing with immersion time until a saturated state was reached, with the trend generally following an exponential law. The higher water temperature allowed additional water absorption in the saturated mudstone, but less water absorption in the saturated sandstone. The mechanical tests suggest that the presence of water can significantly reduce the mechanical properties of the coal measure rocks. Decreases in the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of 76.0 and 38.9 % and the elastic modulus of 68.1 and 48.5 % were observed in the mudstone and sandstone, respectively, because of water saturation at room temperature. Moreover, the water-weakening effect was sensitive to water temperature, and as the water temperature increased from 25 to 95 °C, the UCS and elastic modulus decreased linearly in the saturated mudstone by 53.8 and 70.4 %, respectively, and increased linearly in the saturated sandstone by 21.3 and 20.2 %, respectively. The increasing water temperature also promoted a transition in the saturated mudstone from brittle to ductile behavior, but it had a negligible effect on the failure mode of the saturated sandstone. The CT scanning tests demonstrated that new fractures are produced inside the mudstone after water saturation and that the increasing temperature can exacerbate such water-induced damage. However, no obvious fractures were observed in the CT images of the sandstone at room temperature or at high water temperatures, and the water-induced damage in the sandstone appeared as the micro-fractures at a scale below the CT resolution.     

Investigating effects of water salinity on geotechnical properties of fine-grained soil and quartz in a sandstone case study: Ajichay project in northwest Iran

The effect of water salinity on the geotechnical properties of a CL soil and mechanical properties of a quartz sandstone has been studied using samples from the Ajichay project, located in the northwest of Iran. The purpose of this investigation is to investigate the feasibility of using saline water in processing the clay core of earthen dams in this area. One-dimensional consolidation, swelling, and uniaxial compressive strength tests were performed on the soil with distilled, half-saline, and saline water. To evaluate the effect of water salinity on the sandstones placed in the abutments of the dams, the slake durability index and uniaxial compressive strength were investigated. Results indicated that the compressibility index decreased, hydraulic conductivity decreased, and uniaxial compressive strength of the soil increased with increasing water salinity. The soil swelling percent with all three waters was less than 1 % after 24 h. However, swelling percent increased by 23 % with saline water and decreased by 32 % with half-saline water. Some damage in the rock texture such as disaggregation, weathering, and corrosion of the feldspars along with the dissolution of carbonate cement was observed in thin sections after 6 months of immersion in saline water. The strength of the sandstones exposed to saline water for 5 months decreased by between 5 and 13 %.

     

饱水度对砂岩纵波波速及强度影响的试验研究

 在岩石饱水度、纵波波速及强度的相关性研究中,较少综合地考虑饱水、风干过程及各向异性对岩样纵波波速、强度的影响,而这些问题的研究对于超声技术在岩石物理力学参数测试中具有重要的意义。基于此,选取三峡库区典型层状砂岩,制备垂直层理和平行层理两种岩样,进行岩样的饱水和风干试验。试验结果表明：(1) 岩样的纵波波速与饱水度具有明显非线性、非单调的关系,含水岩样的纵波波速不仅与饱水度的大小有关,而且与饱水、风干过程有关。(2) 砂岩各向异性明显,在饱水和风干过程中,垂直层理岩样纵波波速的变化幅度明显大于平行层理岩样,饱水后,砂岩的各向异性特征略有增强。(3) 在饱水、风干过程中,岩样的抗压强度和纵波波速存在变化规律不一致的现象,岩石矿物颗粒表面和孔壁的吸附水对岩样的弹性模量和强度影响较大,而岩石孔隙内的饱水程度对纵波波速的影响更为明显。研究成果对含水岩石的强度、波速测试分析具有较好的参考价值,同时,相关试验方法也可以为类似试验提供参考。     

The effect of weathering on durability and deformability properties of granitoid rocks

In this paper, the effects of weathering on durability and deformability properties for three different types of granitoid rocks were investigated. Five weathering grades ranging from fresh to completely weathered rocks were considered for each rock type. Deformability has been evaluated based on failure strain, tangent and secant modulus. For measuring these parameters, at least five uniaxial compressive strength tests with axial strain recorded were conducted on each weathering grade. To assess the weathering effect on the durability behavior of these rocks, a slake durability test was performed up to 40 cycles. The obtained results indicated that uniaxial compressive strength and elastic modulus dramatically decrease with increasing weathering grade. After moderately weathering grade, remarkable damage was observed in the structure and fabric of considered rocks. The results from slake durability tests showed that the slake durability index for each weathering grade has a certain changes trend which can be used in determination of the weathering grade and the long-term durability assessment. Moreover, the results showed that for evaluation of the long-term durability of the mentioned rock types, at least eight cycles should be considered, while two cycles were sufficient for estimation of weathering grade.     

Estimation of strength and deformation properties of Quaternary caliche deposits

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate statistical models for predicting the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and average Young’s modulus (E _av) for caliches, using some index and physical properties. The caliche samples, from Adana, southern Turkey, were of low strength and difficult to sample. X-ray diffraction and microscopy were undertaken and the following physical parameters established: unit weight, apparent porosity, Schmidt rebound number, Shore hardness, P-wave velocity, slake durability, point load, uniaxial compressive strength and average Young’s modulus. Simple and linear regression variable selection analyses were performed. The best relationships were obtained for UCS with P-wave velocity and unit weight and for average Young’s modulus with P-wave velocity, porosity and slake durability. Empirical equations are proposed, although it is emphasised that these may only be applicable for caliche of a similar geological character.      

Experimental relation between shear strength under low pressure and S-wave velocity of rock subjected to mechanical weathering

The reduction in the shear strength of rock exposed on slope surfaces due to mechanical weathering is a ubiquitous phenomenon in regions where extreme environmental conditions prevail, i.e., repeated changes in temperature and moisture. In dealing with the slope instability problems in such regions, the long-term effects of weathering on the strength, deformation and durability characteristics of exposed rock are envisaged in this study. Therefore, in addition to conducting multiple-cycle standard slake durability tests on rock samples taken from the lithologies of Pakistan and Japan, and on artificial soft rock, the decrease in strength and stiffness is also studied by reproducing mechanical weathering in the laboratory. The reproduced laboratory weathering (RLW) is conducted with a new device that enables vacuumed saturation, freezing, thawing, drying and cooling under a maintained level of confining pressure. The decrease in strength, stiffness and durability is elucidated from the test results, which indicate that rock having a very low level of reference strain (shear strength/modulus at small strain) is resistant to RLW and slaking. Intact rock exhibits very low reference strain and this reference strain increases with an increase in the degree of weathering, which is the case of weathered rock. The decrease in the strength of rock is an important property for judging the safety of rock slopes undergoing weathering. Thus, the relation between the strength and the S-wave velocity of rock undergoing weathering is established. The authors recommend the use of this relation for a quick assessment of the strength of rock by briefly measuring the S-wave velocity of the weathered surface layer. The relationship will assist practitioners in quickly screening potentially unstable slopes.     

The effect of the pH of the testing liquid on the slake durability of gypsum

It is known that foundation problems are caused by the dissolution of gypsum due to both chemical and mechanical processes. In order to investigate the combined effect of physico-chemical agents on the erodability of gypsum, a series of slake durability tests were carried out on eight different types of gypsum using testing solutions with different pH values. XRD, chemical and petrographical analyses, and basic strength tests such as unconfined compression, Brazilian tensile, and point load were performed on the eight rock types. The slake durability results ranged from medium to very high under the different pH conditions but it was concluded that the slake durability of gypsum is independent of the pH of the testing solution. Mineralogical composition and fabric are considered to have a greater influence on the slake durability of gypsum.     

饱水对煤系地层岩石力学性质影响的试验研究

 为研究饱水对煤系地层岩石力学性质的影响,在自然和饱水状态下,利用RMT–150B岩石力学系统对砂岩、砂质泥岩和泥岩进行巴西劈裂、单轴压缩和常规三轴压缩试验。试验结果表明：3种岩石的平均吸水率为0.241%～0.482%,吸水率与时间的关系可以用对数函数进行拟合;饱水后对3种岩石的强度和变形特征均有不同程度的影响,泥岩表现最为明显,其次是砂质泥岩和砂岩,抗拉强度的软化系数为0.40～0.92;单轴抗压强度的软化系数为0.58～0.94,弹性模量的降低系数为0.58～0.95,变形模量的降低系数为0.68～0.94,泊松比的降低系数为1.08～1.11;三轴压缩峰值强度的软化系数K与围压?3大致成正相关,表明饱水状态下试样峰值强度对围压的敏感度大于自然状态下试样峰值强度对围压的敏感度;饱水对3种岩石试样的黏聚力均有不同程度降低,降低幅度为20.6%～67.0%,而摩擦因数大致保持不变,表明黏聚力是一个结构参数,摩擦因数是一个材料参数。     

含水率对层状砂岩劈裂抗拉强度影响研究

为了研究含水率对层状岩体劈裂抗拉强度的影响,特选取层理显著的砂岩为研究对象,考虑5种含水率,进行顺层理弱面的劈裂抗拉强度试验,结合岩样劈裂破坏面的微观形貌特征和能量参数变化规律进行综合分析。研究结果表明:(1)随着含水率的增加,层状砂岩的抗拉强度逐渐减小,总体呈现先陡后缓的降低趋势,在饱水度低于80%左右时,抗拉强度降低幅度明显较大,而后抗拉强度降低趋势逐渐趋于缓慢;(2)岩样劈裂破坏面的高度参数和纹理参数都随着饱水度的增加而逐渐增大,呈先陡后缓的增长趋势,岩样抗拉强度与劈裂面微观形貌参数存在较好的线性相关性;(3)随着含水率的增加,加载过程中岩样吸收的总能量、弹性应变能逐渐减小,呈现与抗拉强度类似变化趋势,弹性应变能占总能量的比值逐渐减小,耗散能占总能量的比值逐渐增大;(4)层理弱面既是层状岩体结构的薄弱面,也是水分吸收和运移的主要空间和通道,含水率增加,首先是影响岩样层理弱面力学性状和孔隙水的分布,改变岩样加载过程中的裂纹扩展规律,进而影响加载过程中的弹性应变能和耗散能的分配比例,从而导致岩样劈裂破坏面形态趋于复杂,抗拉强度降低,水对岩样抗拉强度的影响是一个从微观结构变化导致宏观力学特性劣化的过程。     

Experimental assessment of long-term durability of some weak rocks

Slake durability tests, point load strength tests and X-ray diffraction analyses were carried out on thirteen rock types in an attempt to correlate the durability of the rocks with their strengths and mineral compositions. A concept is proposed to describe the rock degradation characteristics from the results of slake durability test cycles. A new classification system is introduced for rock durability, which allows the prediction of the strength of a rock when it has been affected by the weathering process. The aim of the study was to predict the influence of the weathering process (simulated by wetting and drying and heating and cooling) on the durability and strength of the volcanic, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks outcropping in eastern Thailand. Field studies were carried out in an attempt to relate the heat absorption of the rocks in situ to that measured on the laboratory specimens.     

锦屏二级水电站大理岩不同应力路径下加卸载试验研究

 针对锦屏二级水电站引水隧洞赋存于高地应力环境的特点,对隧洞内的大理岩开展常规三轴压缩试验及峰前、峰后卸围压试验,通过试验数据对比分析,研究大理岩的强度变形特征及破裂机制。主要研究成果：(1) 大理岩峰值强度与实时围压关系密切,应力路径不同、实时围压相同时,峰值强度相同。(2) 围压效应明显,峰值强度随初始围压增加而增加;相比三轴加载试验,峰前卸围压试验峰值强度降低约19.5%,峰后卸围压试验规律不明显,而峰后卸围压试验达到峰值强度时的围压值约占初始围压值的 97.2%,峰前卸围压试验结果较离散。(3) 相比三轴加载试验,峰前卸围压试验c值降低约27.5%, 值提高约22.6%,而与此相反,峰后卸围压试验c值增加约13.7%, 值降低约6.5%,表明大理岩抗破裂的主控因素峰前卸围压试验由摩擦力控制,峰后卸围压试验由黏聚力控制。(4) 峰后卸围压试验自卸荷点开始出现明显的应变平台,表现为理想塑性变形。(5) 峰前卸围压试验的体积应变自卸荷点开始出现明显的转折点。(6) 三轴压缩试验和峰后卸围压试验,大理岩的破坏模式主要为单一剪切破坏,随着围压增加,剪切破裂面端口的粗糙程度降低;峰前卸围压试验的破坏模式为：低围压时的劈裂破坏～中等围压时的“X”型共轭剪切破坏～高围压时的单一剪切破坏。这些研究结论揭示了锦屏大理岩加、卸载应力路径下的力学特性差异,可为西部深埋引水隧洞的开挖、支护设计及稳定性分析提供理论参考。     

Estimation of strength parameters of rock using artificial neural networks

The accurate determination of geomechanical properties such as uniaxial compressive strength and shear strength requires considerable time in collecting appropriate samples, their preparation and laboratory testing. To minimize the time and cost, a number of empirical relations have been reported which are widely used for the estimation of complex rock properties from more easily acquired data. This paper reports the use of an artificial neural network to predict the deformation properties of Coal Measure rocks using dynamic wave velocity, point load index, slake durability index and density. The results confirm the applicability of this method.     

不同饱和度砂岩渗透率、孔隙度随应力变化规律研究

 制备含水饱和度为0%～70%的砂岩岩样,利用低渗透岩石气体渗透测试装置,对不同含水饱和度的砂岩岩样进行气渗试验,测量其在不同围压和渗压下的渗透率以及对应围压下的孔隙度,分析和讨论不同含水饱和度低渗透砂岩渗透率、孔隙度与应力三者之间的关系。得到以下结论：含水饱和度低于50%的低渗透砂岩,其气测渗透率随孔隙压力的增大而减小,含水饱和度高于50%的低渗透砂岩,其气测渗透率的变化规律相反;气测渗透率与孔隙压力符合指数函数关系;随着含水饱和度的增大,气测渗透率对孔隙压力变化的敏感性减少,且气测渗透率对孔隙压力变化的敏感性随着孔隙压力的增大而增大;绝对渗透率、孔隙度与围压均呈指数函数关系;随着含水饱和度的增大,绝对渗透率对围压变化的敏感性增大,对孔隙度变化的敏感性减小,且绝对渗透率和孔隙度对围压变化的敏感性均是随着围压增大而减小;低渗透砂岩的孔隙度与其绝对渗透率的变化成正相关,孔隙度的少量降低即能引起其绝对渗透率的大幅度下降;绝对渗透率与孔隙度成指数函数关系;随着含水饱和度增大,绝对渗透率对孔隙度变化的敏感性增强,且随着孔隙度的增大,绝对渗透率对孔隙度变化的敏感性也逐渐增强。     

不同成岩作用程度砂岩物理力学性质三轴试验研究

采用三轴岩石力学测试系统分析了不同侧压条件下砂岩岩石的孔渗性和力学特性及变形破坏机制 ,建立了砂岩岩石物理力学性质与侧压之间的相关关系。研究表明 ,砂岩的孔隙度和渗透率均随侧压的增大而减小 ,且服从对数函数变化规律。砂岩的刚度和强度均随侧压的增大而增大 ,具有明显的压硬性。岩石破坏后的残余强度随着侧压的增加下降梯度减小 ,而残余强度值相对提高。不同侧压下岩石的破坏机制表现出随着侧压的增大 ,成岩作用程度较弱的岩石应力 -应变曲线由应变软化性态向近似应变硬化性态过渡 ;而成岩作用程度相对较强的岩石在单轴压缩条件下表现为脆性张破坏 ,随着侧压的增加 ,便进入剪切破坏 ,岩石应力 -应变曲线表现出明显的脆性和应变软化特性     

红砂岩粗粒土路基填料试验分析

本文对风干的红砂岩粗粒土及饱水红砂岩粗粒土路堤填料进行了CBR试验、耐崩解试验、压缩试验和剪切试验.试验结果说明水对红砂岩粗粒土的CBR值影响明显,但是其加州承载比均大于规范要求.红砂岩粗粒土适合作为高等级公路的路基填料,但是在实际工程应用时要注意水对红砂岩粗粒土软化的影响.