Rock strength Flashcards
What structural features dictates the mechanical properties of rock?
Composition (strong/weak material)
Fabric/sedimentary features
Jointing/faulting
Folding
What does rock strength apply to?
intact (unfractured) rock
What is rock mass strength?
Applies to larger rock masses considering fractures and other properties
Not the same as intact rock
What are the several methods of rock failure?
Flexure
Shear failure
Direct tension
Compression/ crushing
What is flexure failure?
failure by bending - tensile cracks propagate (slope toppling)
What is shear failure?
displacement along rupture surface
- usually in soil-like, weak rocks
What is direct tension failure?
Act of pulling the rock apart
What is compression/ crushing failure?
rock is shortened
* complex (tensile cracks grow through flexure and shear)
What factors influence rock strength?
Weathering
Temperature (closer to ductile)
Specimen sample size (larger = less strong)
Sample shape
Sample structure
What is the Unconfined Compressive test and what does it derive?
Rock strength (MPa)
Uniaxial compression
Dry
Where will shear failure occur in the UNconfined compressive test?
~30* to comrpession
What is an in the field method of testing rock strength?
Schmidt hammer
What does the Schmidt hammer do and whats its limitations?
Hand held spring loaded hammer which measures rebound from rock surface
Done quickly - distingushing between diiferent stages of rock but only sampling whats on the surface
How is triaxial tetsing done for rock strength?
COmpressed in 1 dorection
AT higher stresses oil used as confining fluid
but otherwise the same as for soil
What is the dogbone specimen for tensile rock strength?
Rock accurately cut into dog bone shaped and pulled apart (problem is very hard to make sure set up correctly)
What is the Brizilian test (indirect tensile strength)?
Squeeze rock cylinder between two plates until it splits
quick and cheap but inaccurate without calibration
1/4 to 1/10 of compressive strength