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Geotechnics > Natural Processes Of Geomaterials > Flashcards

Natural Processes Of Geomaterials Flashcards

1
Q

Bowen’s reaction series describes

A

The susceptibility of common rock-forming minerals is to chemical weathering

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2
Q

In the bowen’s series, the higher a minerals melting point . . .

A

The higher it’s susceptibility to chemical weathering

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3
Q

Minerals in the bowen’s series have melting points ranging from

A

1200-700°C

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4
Q

The most to the least reactive of the bowen’s series is

A

Olivine
Ca-plagioclase
Pyroxene
Hornblende - yo wtf
Biotite - BOY YOU TIGHT
Na-plagioclase
Orthoclase feldspar
Muscovite
Quartz

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5
Q

Sedimentary rocks can be divided into two principal groups

A

Clastic (exogenic)
Non-clastic (endogenic)

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6
Q

What is meant by clastic/exogenic rock?

A

Exo- originate externally to the earth’s surface

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7
Q

What is mean by a non-clastic/ endogenic rock?

A

Endo- originates from within the earth- volcanoes etc.

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8
Q

What are the six deposition’s environments from top to bottom

A

River bed
Lake
Beach
Tidal flats
Shallow Marine
Deep marine

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9
Q

In engineering terms what is a well graded, poor sorted aggregate mix?

A

Many sizes of grains, a good mix for engineering applications

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10
Q

In engineering terms what is a well sorted, poorly graded aggregate mix?

A

An aggregate mix of similar size grains

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11
Q

Which kind of rock has a <0.004mm grain size?

A

Clay

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12
Q

Which kind of rock has a <0.004-0.06mm grain size?

A

Silt

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13
Q

Which kind of rock has a 0.06 - 0.25mm grain size

A

Fine sand

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14
Q

Which kind of rock has a 0.25-0.5mm grain size?

A

Medium sand

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15
Q

Which kind of rock has a 0.5-2mm grain size?

A

Coarse sand

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16
Q

Which kind of rock has a 2-4mm grain size?

A

Granules

17
Q

Which kind of rock has a 4-64mm grain size?

A

Pebbles

18
Q

Planes of weakness in sedimentary rocks correspond to

A

Direction of mineral deposit

19
Q

What is meant by a rock sample that exhibits anisotropic behaviour?

A

Does not behave the same in every direction

20
Q

What are three clastic sedimentary rocks?

A

Conglomerate (with gravels)

Sandstone

Shale (mudstone)

21
Q

What are three non-clastic sedimentary rocks?

A

Carbonate rocks (limestone)

Evaporites (salt rocks)

Carbonaceous (peat,lignite,coal)

22
Q

What does metamorphism mean?

A

Solid-state transformation of pre-existing rock into texturally or mineralogically distinct new rock.

Accomplished through high temperature, high pressure or both

23
Q

What are the technical names for the three types of metamorphosed rocks?

A

Thermal/contact metamorphism (temperature)

Dynamic/dislocation metamorphism (stress)

Regional (temp + stress)

24
Q

In the recrystallisation of metamorphic rocks, what happens to voids?

A

They are filled by intergrown crystals

25
Q

What are folliations?

A

Layers in rock formation induced by directional pressure

26
Q

From low grade to high grade, what are three foliated rocks?

A

slate, schist, gneiss

Slate is late, gneiss is nicely at the top

27
Q

Metamorphic rocks are not defined by their appearance or rock content but rather by their grade of metamorphism.

What does this grading involve?

A

Crystal size, coarseness of foliation, band size

The bigger the better

28
Q

How are non foliated metamorphic rocks formed?

A

Metamorphosed through temperature alone (thermal/contact)

29
Q

What is the name of minerals formed through metamorphism?

A

Garnite

30
Q

What are the rock strength tests?

A

Brazilian tensile test

Point load test

Unconfined compression test

31
Q

Why does the Brazilian tensile test involve?

A

Cut a puck of the rock sample

Place the puck between two presses

Apply pressure on both sides

Break the rock

32
Q

What the does the point load test involve? (Is 50)

A

Cut out a cylinder of rock

Place between two conical points

Apply pressure through the points

Measure resistance

Rock breaks

33
Q

What does the unconfined compression test involve?

A

Cylinder of rock is cut out

Placed between two presses

Pressure applied until rock breaks

(Essentially Brazilian tensile test with a cut cylinder as used in the point load test)

34
Q

The direct shear of rocks in done using what apparatus ?

A

Triaxial cell

35
Q

How is the Is50 point load strength index calculated?

A

IS50=P/De^2

P is failure load

De is the equivalent core diameter

36
Q

What is the most common way to describe the strength of a material?

A

List it’s UCS

37
Q

What features are important when classifying sandstone specimen?

A

Dott’s classification chart.
The main clast constituent
matrix percentage
Grain shape

38
Q

Olivine and pyroxene are the first to be removed by weather from an igneous rock sample, why? (exclude Bowen’s reaction series as an explanation)

A

They are the simplest silicate based minerals
form weak connections between minerals, thus easy to break
first to come out of solution from magma pool

Geotechnics (8 decks)

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