Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Correlating physico-mechanical properties of intact rocks with P-wave velocity

  • Published:
Acta Geodaetica et Geophysica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The physico-mechanical properties of five different intact rock types including sandstone, arkoses and limestone were determined through standardized laboratory tests. Ninety six specimens were tested to obtain the relationships between P-wave velocity (Vp), dry unit weight (DUW), uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), point load index Is(50), Brazilian tensile strength (TS), porosity (Φ), and Schmidt hardness (RN). This study also reviews some recent correlations between P-wave velocity and physico-mechanical properties as well as investigates the reliability of these correlations. Findings show the results of the experimental tests are in good agreement with previous studies. Statistical equations have been determined for estimating the physico-mechanical properties of rocks using nondestructive and indirect test methods. Results of regression analysis showed satisfactory correlations. Based on the results, new strong correlation with correlation coeffecients above (R2 > 0.80) are introduced for predicting the UCS, Is(50), Φ and RN and reasonable good correlations (R2 ≥ 0.78) are introduced to predict TS and DUW from P-wave velocity of different intact rock core samples. There is a discrepancy between P-wave velocity (Vp) in situ values with laboratory results. The large reductions in Vp in situ values are clearly the functions of fractures and natural joints.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • ASTM (1986a) Standard test method of unconfined compressive strength of intact rock core specimens. ASTM Publication

  • ASTM (1986b) Standard test method of unconfined compressive strength of intact rock core specimens. D2938

  • ASTM (2001) Standard practice for preparing rock core specimens and determining dimensional and shape tolerances, American Society for Testing and Materials, D4543

  • ASTM (2005) Standard test method for cyclic (Reversed) load test for shear resistance of walls for buildings. Annual book of ASTM standards. ASTM, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D5873 (2014) Standard test method for determination of rock hardness by Rebound Hammer Method, American Society for testing and material

  • Boadu FK (2000) Predicting the transport properties of fractured rocks from seismic information: numerical experiments. J Appl Geophys 44:103–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cobanglu I, Celik S (2008) Estimation of uniaxial compressive strength from point load strength, Schmidt hardness and P-wave velocity. Bull Eng Geol Environ 67:491–498

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Entwisle DC, Hobbs PR, Jones NLD, Gunn D, Raınes MG (2005) The relationships between effective porosity, uniaxial compressive strength and sonic velocity of intact Borrowdale volcanic group core samples from Sellafield. Geotech Geol Eng 23:793–809

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaviglio P (1989) Longitudinal waves propagation in a limestone: the relationship between velocity and density. Rock Mech Rock Eng 22:299–306

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inoue M, Ohomi M (1981) Relation between uniaxial compressive strength and elastic wave velocity of softrock. In: Proceedings of the International Symposium Weak Rock, Tokyo, pp 9–13

  • ISRM (1978) Suggested methods for determining tensile strength of rock materials. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 15:101–103

    Google Scholar 

  • ISRM (1981) Suggested method for rock characterisation, testing and monitoring. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abst 18(6):109

    Google Scholar 

  • ISRM (1987) Rock characterization suggested method. Testing and monitoring. Pergamon Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • ISRM (2007) In: Ulusay R and Hudson JA (eds) The complete ISRM suggested methods for rock characterization, testing and monitoring: 1974–2006, Kozan Ofset Matbaacılık, Ankara

  • Kahraman S (2001a) A correlation between P-wave velocity, number of joints and Schmidt hammer rebound number. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 38:729–733

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kahraman S (2001b) Evaluation of simple methods for assessing the uniaxial compressive strength of rock. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 38:981–994

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kahraman S (2002) Estimating the direct P-wave velocity value of intact rock from indirect laboratory measurements. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 39:101–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khandelwal M, Ranjith PG (2010) Correlating index properties of rocks with P-wave measurements. J Appl Geophys 71:1–5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khandelwal M, Singh TN (2009) Correlating static properties of coal measures rocks with P-wavevelocity. Int J Coal Geol 79:55–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kurtulus C, Irmak TS, Sertcelik I (2010) Physical and mechanical properties of Gokceada: Imbroz (NE AegeanSea) Island andesites. Bull Eng Geo Environ 69:321–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kurtulus C, Bozkurt A, Endes H (2011a) Physical and mechanical properties of serpentinized ultrabasic rocks in NW Turkey. Pure Appl Geophys. doi:10.1007/s00024-011-0394-z

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurtulus C, Bozkurt A, Endes H, Koc S (2011b). Seismic wave velocity and anisotropy of Devonian limestones, Nw Turkey, 6th Congress of Balkan Geophysical Society, Budapest, Hungary, October, 2011

  • Moradian ZA, Behnia M (2009) Predicting the uniaxial compressive strength and static Young’s modulus of intact sedimentary rocks using the ultrasonic test. Int J Geomech 9:1–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ozkahraman HT, Selver R, Isık EC (2004) Determination of the thermal conductivity of rock from P-wave velocity. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 41:703–708

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma PK, Singh TN (2008) A correlation between P-wave velocity, impact strength index, slake durability index and uniaxial compressive strength. Bull Eng Geol Environ 67:17–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smorodinov MI, Motovilov EA, Volvov VA (1970) Determinations of correlation relationships between strength and some physical characteristics of rocks. In: Proceedings of the second congress of the international society for rock mechanics, Vol. 2. Belgrade, pp 35–37

  • TUBITAK (2010) Geology map of Kocaeli Province, The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey and Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Department Soil and Earthquake Analysis Documents

  • Yasar E, Erdogan Y (2004) Correlating sound velocity with the density, compressive strength and Young’s modulus of carbonate rocks. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 41:871–875

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geophysics, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey

    C. Kurtuluş, F. Sertçelik & I. Sertçelik

Authors
  1. C. Kurtuluş
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. Sertçelik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. I. Sertçelik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. Sertçelik.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kurtuluş, C., Sertçelik, F. & Sertçelik, I. Correlating physico-mechanical properties of intact rocks with P-wave velocity. Acta Geod Geophys 51, 571–582 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40328-015-0145-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40328-015-0145-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation