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Evaluation of the new dynamic needle penetrometer in estimating uniaxial compressive strength of weak rocks

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Abstract

Studying the mechanical characteristics of weak sedimentary rocks is a burning issue in civil and mining engineering designs and analysis since obtaining rock mechanical properties of these has always faced lots of problems and uncertainties due to the structural weaknesses. One of the main causes of these problems is the difficulty of preparing high-quality core specimens recommended by testing standards or suggested methods for uniaxial compressive strength (UCS). For resolving this issue, in this study, common methods for indirect estimation of UCS of weak rocks were initially studied, their merits and demerits were analyzed, and then, in light of their positive and negative points, a new modified device was designed with a different mechanical structure and force exertion system, which could be practically used to present a new method for indirect estimation of UCS. Thus, in this study, we initially had a general view of the new dynamic needle penetrometer and its modified parts and their capabilities. After introduction, as the first phase of the practical studies on this, dynamic needle penetration resistance (DNPR) was measured, as the dynamic needle penetrometer test result, from 65 specimens collected from three different projects. Then, the relationships between DNPR and UCS of the rock specimens and the regressions of correlations were statistically analyzed. Finally, a linear equation with considerable accuracy resulted from analysis, and using this led to solving the main problem of this research by proposing a developed method for indirect estimation of uniaxial compressive strength of weak rocks.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mining Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Pedram Azadan & Kaveh Ahangari

Authors
  1. Pedram Azadan
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  2. Kaveh Ahangari
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Correspondence to Kaveh Ahangari.

Appendix

Appendix

Additional information about 65 rock samples

Table 8 Macroscopic description, depth, type, dry density, porosity (n), water absorption (A w), DNPR, UCS, Schmidt hammer rebound, and point load index of Siah Shir dam samples
Full size table
Table 9 Macroscopic description, depth, type, dry density, porosity (n), water absorption (A w), DNPR, UCS, Schmidt hammer rebound, and point load index of Tang Sorkh dam samples
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Table 10 Macroscopic description, depth, type, dry density, porosity (n), water absorption (A w), DNPR, UCS, Schmidt hammer rebound, and point load index of Tang Tizab tunnel samples
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Azadan, P., Ahangari, K. Evaluation of the new dynamic needle penetrometer in estimating uniaxial compressive strength of weak rocks. Arab J Geosci 7, 3205–3216 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-013-0921-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-013-0921-6

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