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Point Load Strength Test Power Index of Irregular Sandy Dolomite Blocks

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Abstract

The point load strength test index (Is(50)) rapidly determines the tensile strength and the uniaxial compressive strength of rocks. It is necessary to analyze the power index (m) of Is(50) when conducting a point load test (PLT) on irregular rock blocks. In this study, sandy dolomites from the Sinian Dengying Formation (Zbdn) and Doushantuo Formation (Zbd) in the Yuxi section of the Central Yunnan Water Diversion Project were analyzed for their physical and mechanical properties. PLTs were performed on dolomites with different geological origins and weathering degrees, and the m-values were determined through statistical methods and regression analysis. The results showed that the logP–logDe2 curve exhibits a negative slope, and the m-value and its correlation coefficient (R2) increased with the decreasing weathering degree. For similar weathering conditions, the R2 of the Zbdn dolomites was higher than that of the Zbd dolomites. The error analysis indicated that the obtained m-values were highly accurate for the dolomite with different geological origins and weathering degrees. Casting slice identification tests further confirmed that the dolomite pore structure and density, connectedness, and specific mineral composition were the primary factors influencing the m-value.

Highlights

  • This is the first study on the power index (m) of sandy dolomites.

  • The logP–logDe2 curve exhibits a negative slope, and m-value and its R2 increase with decreasing weathering degree.

  • Pore structure and density, connectedness, and specific mineral composition primarily influence the m-value.

  • For a similar weathering degree, the R2 of Zbdn dolomites was higher than that of Zbd dolomites.

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Data availability

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (11762009) and the Major Science and Technology Special Plan of Yunnan Province Science and Technology Department (202002AF080003).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China

    Meiqian Wang, Yonghong Wu & Wei Xu

  2. China Railway 11th Bureau Group Co., Ltd, Survey and Design Institute, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China

    Binghui Song

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  1. Meiqian Wang
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  2. Yonghong Wu
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Correspondence to Wei Xu.

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Wang, M., Wu, Y., Song, B. et al. Point Load Strength Test Power Index of Irregular Sandy Dolomite Blocks. Rock Mech Rock Eng (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-023-03733-1

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