Influence of fabric and mineralogy on the mechanics of dolomitic rocks

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Mining Engineering, University of Johannesburg, DFC Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

A detailed study into engineering mechanics of rocks is very crucial due to their nature and widespread applications as well as the fact that they are encountered in daily activities of practising engineers and designs and constructions are made in and/or on them. A comprehensive investigations have been made into influence of fabric and mineralogy on the behaviour of dolomitic rock by conducting series of laboratory tests. Also, extensive analyses have been made to determine suitable indices to predict parameters needed for engineering design and construction particularly at the beginning of projects when data may not be readily available. The parameters considered were porosity, rebound hardness, strength and modulus and the indices considered were fabric (particle shape, packing density) and mineralogical indices (quartz and dolomite). The rock is characterised by low porosity (0.64-1.50%), medium durability (65.4-73.3%), heterogeneous and sub-angular particles (0.60-0.77) with very few voids. The mineralogy comprises quartz (0-64%), dolomite (10-87%) and other minerals. The strength varies from low to relatively high strength (12-43 MPa). The variability of parameters and indices of dolomitic rock is low except for quartz. Although mineralogy has little influence on porosity of samples, fabric and mineralogy have significant influence on mechanics of dolomitic rock. It is very interesting to observe that fabric and mineralogical indices can be used to predict physical and mechanical parameters of dolomitic rock based on significant regression statistics. The fabric and mineralogical indices are suitable and are recommended for practitioners working on the materials.

Keywords

References

[1] Hoek, E., & Brown, E. T. (1997). Practical estimates of rock mass strength. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 34(8),1165-1186. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1365-1609(97)80069-X.
[2] Ching, J., Li, K., Phoon, K. K., & Weng, M. C. (2018). Generic transformation models for some intact rock properties. Can Geotech J 55(12). https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2017-0537.
[3] Du, K., Su, R., Tao, M., Yang, C., Momeni, A., & Wang, S. (2019). Specimen shape and cross-section effects on mechanical properties of rocks under uniaxial compressive stress. Bull Eng Geol Env 78, 6061-6074. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-019-01518-x.
[4] Begonha, A., & Braga, M. S. (2002). Weathering of the Oporto granite: Geotechnical and physical properties. Catena 49, 57-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0341-8162(02)00016-4.
[5] Aydin, A., & Basu, A. (2005). The Schmidt hammer in rock material characterization. Eng Geol 81, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2005.06.006.
[6] Basu, A., Celestino, T. B., & Bortolucci, A. A. (2009). Evaluation of rock mechanical behaviors under uniaxial compression with reference to assessed weathering grades. Rock Mech Rock Eng 42, 73-93. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-008-0170-2.
[7] Basu, A., & Kamran, M. (2010). Point load test on schistose rocks and its applicability in predicting uniaxial compressive strength. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 47, 823-828. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2010.04.006.
 [8] Majeed, Y., Abu Bakar, M. Z., & Butt, I. A. (2020). Abrasivity evaluation for wear prediction of button drill bits using geotechnical rock properties. Bull Eng Geol Env 79, 767-787. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-019-01587-y.
[9] Katz, O., Reches, Z., & Roegiers, J. C. (2000). Evaluation of mechanical rock properties using a Schmidt hammer. Int. J. Rock Mech. and Min. Sci. 37, 723-728.
[10] Sonmez, H., Tuncay, E., & Gokceoglu, C. (2004). Models to predict the uniaxial compressive strengths and the modulus of elasticity for Ankara Agglomerate. Int. J. Rock Mech. and Min. Sci. 41, 717-729. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2004.01.011.
[11] Ng, I. T., Yuen, K. V., & Lau, C. H. (2015). Predictive model for uniaxial compressive strength for grade III granitic rocks. Eng. Geol. 199, 28-37. DOI:10.1016/j.enggeo.2015.10.008.
[12] Pappalardo, G. (2015). Correlations between P-wave velocity and physical-mechanical properties of intensely jointed dolostones, Peloritani Mounts, NE Sicily. Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 48, 1711-1721. DOI 10.1007/s00603-014-0607-8.
[13] Zhao, J., & Li, H. B. (2000). Experimental determination of dynamic tensile properties of a granite. Int. J. Rock Mech. and Min. Sci. 37, 861-866. DOI: 10.1016/S1365-1609(00)00015-0.
[14] Ceryan, S., Zorlu, K., Gokceoglu, C., & Temel, A. (2008). The use of cation packing index for characterising the weathering degree of granitic rocks. Eng. Geol. 98, 60-74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2008.01.007.
[15] Effinov, V. P. (2009). The rock strength in different tension conditions. J. Min. Sci., 45, 569-575.
[16] Aono, Y., Okuno, T., Nakaya, A., & Nishi, T. (2016). Evaluation of constitutive model by the triaxial compression test and numerical analysis introduced strain hardening and softening. Proc. of 9th Asian Rock Mech. Symposium, 2016 Indonesia.
[17] Graue, B., Seigesmund, S., & Middendorf B. (2011). Quality assessment of replacement stones for the Cologne Cathedral: mineralogical and petrophysical requirements. Env. Earth Sci. 63, 1799-1822. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-1077-x.
 [18] Sarkar, K., Vishal, V., & Singh, T. N. (2012). An empirical correlation of index geomechanical parameters with the compressional wave velocity. Geot. Geol. Eng. 30, 469-479. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-011-9481-2.
[19] Xue, L., Qi, M., Qin, S., Li, G., Li, P., & Wang, M. A. (2015). Potential strain indicator for brittle failure prediction of low porosity rock: par II – theoretical studies based on renormalization group theory. Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 48, 1773-1785.
[20] Okewale, I. A., & Olaleye, B. M. (2013). Characterization of some selected limestone deposit in Ogun State Nigeria for prediction of penetration rate of drilling. IOSR J. Eng. 3, 25-30.
[21] Yu, R., Tian, Y., & Wang, X. (2015). Relation between stresses obtained from Kaiser effect under uniaxial compression and hydraulic fracturing. Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 48, 397.
[22] Undul, O., Aysal, N., Cobanolglu, B. C., Amann, F., & Perras, M. (2016). Strength, deformation and cracking characteristics of limestone. In Rock Mech. Rock Eng., from past to future, 181-185.
[23] Kassab, M. A., & Weller, A. (2015). Study on P-wave and S-wave velocity in dry and wet sandstone of Tushka region, Egypt. Egypt. J. Pet. 24, 1-11.
[24] Wang, H., Pan, J., Wang, S., & Zhu, H. (2015). Relationship between micro-fracture density, P-wave velocity and permeability of coal. J. Appl. Geop. 117, 111-117.        
[25] Irfan, T. Y. (1999). Characterization of weathered volcanic rocks in Hong Kong. Q J Eng Geol 32, 317–348. https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.QJEG.1999.032.P4.03.
[26] Tugrul, A., & Zarif, I. H. (1999). Correlation of mineralogical and textural characteristics with engineering properties of selected granitic rocks from Turkey. Eng Geol 51, 303-317. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-7952(98)00071-4.
[27] ISRM. (1979). Suggested methods for determining water content, porosity, density, absorption and related properties and swelling and slake durability index properties. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech 16, 141-156.
[28] ISRM. (1978). Suggested methods for determining the hardness and abrasiveness of rocks; Part 3 – suggested method for the determination of Schmidt rebound hardness. Int. J Rock Mech  Min Sci Geomech 15, 89-97.
[29] ISRM. (2007). The complete ISRM suggested methods for rock characterisation, testing and monitoring: 1974-2006. In Ulusay, Hudson (Eds).
[30] ISRM. 2015. The ISRM suggested methods for rock characterization, testing and monitoring: 2007-2014. Ulusay, R (Ed.), Cham, Switzerland: Springer. DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-007713-0
[31] ISRM. (1978). Suggested methods for petrographic descriptions of rock. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech 15, 43-45.
[32] Krumbein, W. C., & Sloss, L. L. (1963). Stratigraphy and sedimentation. “2nd Ed., San Francisco: Freeman and Company.
[33] Payan, M., Khoshghalb, A., Senetakis, K., & Nasser, K. (2016). Effect of particle shape and validity of Gmax models for sand: A critical review and a new expression. Computer andGeotechnics 72, 28-41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2015.11.003.
[34] Okewale, I. A., & Grobler, H. (2020). A study of dynamic shear modulus and breakage of decomposed volcanic soils. J GeoEng 15, 53-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.6310/jog.202003_15(1).5.
[35] Zorlu, K., Ulusay, R., Ocakoglu, F., Gokceoglu, C., & Sonmez, H. (2004). Predicting intact rock properties of selected sandstones using petrographic thin-section data. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 41, 93-98.
[36] ISRM. (1981). Suggested methods for rock characterisation, testing and monitoring. Pergamon Press, Oxford.
[37] ISRM. (1979). Suggested methods for determining compressive strength and deformability of rock materials. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech 16, 137-140.
[38] Kongacul, E. C., & Santi, P. M. (1999). Predicting the unconfined compressive strength of the Breathitt shale using slake durability, shore hardness and rock structural properties.  Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 36, 139-153.
[39] Kahraman, S., Gunaydin, O., & Fener, M. (2005). The effect of porosity on the relation between uniaxial compressive strength and point load index. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 42(4), 584-589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2005.02.004.
[40] Yagiz, S. (2009). Predicting uniaxial compressive strength, modulus of elasticity and index properties of rocks using Schmidt hammer. Bull Eng Geol Env 68(1), 55-63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-008-0172-z.
[41] Karaman, K., & Kesimal, A. (2015). A comparative study of Schmidt hammer test methods for estimating the uniaxial compressive strength of rocks. Bull Eng Geol Env 74(2), 507-520. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-014-0617-5.
[42] Okewale, I. A. (2015). Analyzing the influence of mineralogy on strength properties of carbonate rock in Sagamu and Ewekoro, Ogun state, Nigeria. American J. Eng. Res. 4(5), 233-238.
[43] Hassan, N.F., Jimoh, O. A., Shehu, S. A., & Hareyani, Z. (2019). The effect of mineralogical composition on strength and drillability of granitic rocs in Hulu Langat, Selangor Malaysia. Geotech Geol Eng 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-019-00995-x.
[44] Yasar, E., & Erdogan, Y. (2004). Correlating sound velocity with density, compressive strength and Young’s modulus of carbonate rocks. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 41(5), 871-875. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2004.01.012.
[46] Shalabi, F. I., Cording, E. J., & Al-Hattamleh, O. H. (1997). Estimation of rock engineering properties using hardness tests. Eng Geol 90, 138-147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2006.12.006.
[46] Ali, M. A. M., & Yang, H. S. (2014). A study of some Egyptian carbonate rocks for the building construction. Int J Min Sci Tech 1-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2014.05.008.
[47] Okewale, I. A., & Coop, M. R. (2018). Suitability of different approaches for analysing and predicting the behavior of decomposed volcanic rocks. J Geoech Geoenv Eng 1-14 https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001944.
[48] Okewale, I. A. (2020). Applicability of chemical indices to characterize weathering degrees in decomposed volcanic rocks. Catena 189, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2020.104475.
 
International Journal of Mining and Geo-Engineering
Volume 56, Issue 3
September 2022
Pages 211-218

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics