Test 1 [L1 to L6] Flashcards
What is the brazilian test? (PrevT)
The Brazilian tensile strength test is a method used in rock mechanics to determine the uniaxial tensile strength of rock specimens.
The test involves applying a tensile load to a cylindrical rock sample until it fails, and the maximum load is recorded.
What is the uniaxial compressive strength test? (PrevT)
The uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) test is another common test used in rock mechanics to determine the compressive strength of rock specimens.
The test involves applying a compressive load to a cylindrical rock sample until it fails, and the maximum load is recorded.
What is the 1st stage of site investigation?(PrevT)
- Desk study and site reconnaissance
A desk study involves gathering information about a site from existing documents and records.
Site reconnaissance involves physically visiting the site, gathering information through observation, and interacting with local residents and specialists.
What is the 2nd stage of site investigation? (PrevT)
- Preliminary ground investigation
A preliminary ground investigation aims to gather sufficient information about the site to determine if a more detailed or advanced investigation is necessary.
A preliminary ground investigation may include surface sampling and mapping of soil, rock, and water, geophysical surveys to determine subsurface conditions, test pits or trenches to expose subsurface soil and rock, and drilling to obtain some soil and rock samples.
What is the 3rd stage of site investigation? (PrevT)
- Detailed ground investigation
The detailed ground investigation builds upon the preliminary ground investigation and acquires more detailed information about the site.
Additional data may be obtained from advanced drilling techniques to obtain soil and rock samples from deeper depths with in-situ testing such as cone penetration testing, Casangrande Peiezometer testing, standard penetration testing, and vane shear testing, dilatometer testing, Split-spoon sampling to determine soil and rock properties.
What is the 4th stage of site investigation? (PrevT)
- Monitoring
Monitoring during a site investigation is collecting data over time to track changes in site conditions and compare the new data to previous investigations.
Describe what are direct tests. (PrevT)
Direct tests in rock mechanics involve the measurement of rock strength or other mechanical properties under controlled laboratory conditions.
Give 3 examples of direct test? (PrevT)
Uniaxial compressive strength, triaxial compression tests, and direct shear tests.
Describe what are index tests. (PrevT)
Index tests are used to provide a rapid estimate of rock strength and other mechanical properties in the field.
Index tests are usually less accurate than direct tests but are faster and less expensive to perform.
Give 2 examples of index test? (PrevT)
Point load test, the Schmidt hammer test
Name 3 different geophysics techniques used in subsurface investigation. (PrevT)
- Seismic Refraction
- Electrical Resistivity
- Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
Describe the Seismic Refraction technique. (PrevT)
Seismic Refraction: This method involves the measurement of the time delay between the arrival of seismic waves at different points in the subsurface, which is used to determine the velocity of the waves as they pass through different layers of rocks and soil.
Describe the Electrical Resistivity technique. (PrevT)
Electrical Resistivity: This method involves injecting a low-level electrical current into the ground and measuring the electrical resistance between two electrodes.
Describe the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technique. (PrevT)
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR): This method operates by emitting high-frequency electromagnetic pulses into the ground and measuring the time delay and strength of the reflected signals.
Name 4 subsurface techniques (not geophysical).
- Test Pits
- Borehole Drilling
- Soil Sampling
- In Situ Testing
Describe the subsurface technique of Test Pits. (PrevT)
Test Pits: This method involves digging shallow pits to expose the subsurface materials and structures for visual inspection and sampling. Test pits are often used in archaeological investigations and environmental assessments to gather information about the subsurface soil and rock layers.
Describe the subsurface technique of Borehole Drilling. (PrevT)
Borehole Drilling: This method involves drilling a deep hole into the subsurface to collect samples of subsurface materials and to install monitoring wells. Borehole drilling is commonly used in groundwater investigations and site characterizations.
Describe the subsurface technique of Soil Sampling. (PrevT)
Soil Sampling: This method involves collecting soil samples from the subsurface using various sampling techniques, such as auger sampling, split-spoon sampling, and others. Soil samples are analyzed in the laboratory to determine their physical and chemical properties.
Describe the subsurface technique of In Situ Testing. (PrevT)
In Situ Testing: This method involves performing tests on subsurface materials in their natural state without removing them from the ground. In situ tests, such as cone penetrometer tests, permeability tests, and others, provide information about the subsurface materials’ mechanical and hydraulic properties.
Describe the main and following problems of the Carsington tunnel. (PrevT)
Improper site investigation. The other problems such as broken equipment and water seeping into the tunnel originate from a lack of awareness of the geological conditions along the tunnel pathway.
What is triaxial testing of rocks? (PrevT)
The test involves placing a cylindrical specimen of rock or soil in a triaxial cell and applying confining pressure to the specimen while measuring its response to axial and radial loads.
What are the parameters which are obtained from triaxial tests? (PrevT)
With the axial and radial stresses, it is possible to plot Mohr circles offset from each depending on the stress applied. The circles defined a failure envelope for this type of rock. The failure envelope is the tangent line to the Mohr circles.
With all these information, it is possible to obtain the shear stress parallel to fracture failure, the cohesion of rock, the normal stress across the shear zone and finally the coefficient of internal friction.
Name the 4 main types of slope failure. (PrevT)
- Planar
- Wedge
- Toppling
- Composite
Describe the slope failure: Planar (PrevT)
Describe the slope failure: Wedge (PrevT)
Describe the slope failure: Toppling (PrevT)
Describe the slope failure: Composite (PrevT)
With the aid of a graph, demonstrate the brittle and ductile behavior of rocks. (PrevT)
Where/How do you measure the modulus of elasticity. (PrevT)
How do we test shear strength of joints? (PrevT)
Give the definition of rock mechanics (Extra)
Rock mechanics is a theoretical and applied science of the mechanical behavior of rock and rock masses.
Why is rock mechanics said to be a science but also an art?
The Art can be considered as the experience gathered.
The science is application of Mechanics.
What is rock mass characterization?
Description of the Rock Mass, including distribution in space of both the materials that constitute the mass and the discontinuities that divide it.