Abstract
This article presents a study on durability index obtained in the slake durability test (SDT) and the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of a gneissic rock from the Nova Venécia Complex, southeastern Brazil. The gneissic rock mass, excavated for a railway tunnel without a lining, has presented problems of instability of blocks due to a long-term exposure to weathering. The characterization of the gneissic rock matrix was made tactile and visual and by means of microscopical petrography, combining the tests of physical properties, SDT, and UCS with weathering indexes. The importance of describing the heterogeneity of the gneissic rock to interpret its influence on geotechnical parameters is discussed deeply. The interpretation of the results indicates that the rock studied has one facies with greater susceptibility to weathering, loss of strength, and durability. This study also proposes an equation to access the alterability parameter, recently added in the 2014 update of the rock mass rating (RMR), which may be overvalued to crystalline rocks, as observed in the analysis.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahmad M, Ansari MK, Singh R, Sharma LK, Singh TN (2017) Assessment of durability and weathering state of some igneous and metamorphic rocks using micropetrographic index and rock durability indicators: a case study. Geotech. Geol. Eng. 35:827–842. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-016-0146-z
Amaral Junior AF, Santos YLOP, Chaves SS, Paredes JP, Zenóbio AA (2016) Proposição de adequação da equação de correlação RMR-Q para o quadrilátero ferrífero., in: Simpósio Brasileiro de Mecânica Das Rochas - Conferência Especializada ISRM-2016. Belo Horizonte.
Arel E, Tugrul A (2001) Weathering and its relation to geomechanical properties of Cavusbasi granitic rocks in Northwestern Turkey. Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 60:123–133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s100640000091
ASTM D4644-16 (2016) Standard test method for slake durability of shales and other similar weak rocks. ASTM Int., West Conshohocken
Basu A, Celestino TB, Bortolucci AA (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
Bieniawski ZT (1989) Engineering rock mass classifications : a complete manual for engineers and geologists in mining, civil, and petroleum engineering. Eng. rock mass Classif. a Complet. Man. Eng. Geol. mining, civil, Pet. Eng.
Borrelli L, Perri F, Critelli S, Gullà G (2014) Characterization of granitoid and gneissic weathering profiles of the Mucone River basin (Calabria, southern Italy). Catena 113:325–340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2013.08.014
BS 5930 (1999) Code of practice for site investigations. British Standard. British Standards Institution, London
Cacciari PP (2014) Estudo de um túnel em maciço rochoso fraturado por investigação geológico-geotécnica e análises pelo método dos elementos distintos. Universidade de São Paulo
Cacciari PP, Futai MM (2017) Modeling a shallow rock tunnel using terrestrial laser scanning and discrete fracture networks. Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 50:1217–1242. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-017-1166-6
Cacciari PP, Pereira RVB, Monticeli JP, Suzuki S, Ribeiro FS, Futai MM (2013) Análise comparativa entre inspeções de “bate choco” e formação de blocos chave controlados por descontinuidades, in: 14° Congresso Brasileiro de Geologia de Engenharia E Ambiental. ABGE, Rio de Janeiro, pp 1–10
Celada B, Tardáguila I, Varona P, Bieniawski ZT (2014) Innovating tunnel design by an improved experience-based RMR system, in: World Tunnel Congress 2014 – Tunnels for a Better Life. Foz do Iguaçu, pp. 1–9.
Ceryan S, Tudes S, Ceryan N (2008) Influence of weathering on the engineering properties of Harsit granitic rocks (NE Turkey). Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 67:97–104. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-007-0115-0
Cho JW, Kim H, Jeon S, Min KB (2012) Deformation and strength anisotropy of Asan gneiss, Boryeong shale, and Yeoncheon schist. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 50:158–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2011.12.004
Delvigne JE (1998) Atlas of micromorphology of mineral alteration and weathering, the Canadian mineralogist, Ontario
Dhakal G, Yoneda T, Kato M, Kaneko K (2002) Slake durability and mineralogical properties of some pyroclastic and sedimentary rocks. Eng. Geol. 65:31–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-7952(01)00101-6
Dobereiner L, Durville JL, Restitutito J (1993) Weathering of the massiac gneiss (Massif Central, France). Bull. Int. Assoc. Eng. Geol. 47:79–96. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02639596
Fereidooni D (2016) Determination of the geotechnical characteristics of hornfelsic rocks with a particular emphasis on the correlation between physical and mechanical properties. Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 49:2595–2608. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-016-0930-3
Franklin JA, Chandra R (1972) The slake-durability test. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 9:325–328. https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(72)90001-0
Gamble J (1971) Durability-plasticity classification of shales and other argillaceous rocks. PhD Dissertation, University of Illinois.
Gupta V, Ahmed I (2007) The effect of pH of water and mineralogical properties on the slake durability (degradability) of different rocks from the Lesser Himalaya. India. Eng. Geol. 95:79–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2007.09.004
Gupta AS, Rao KS (2000) Weathering effects on the strength and deformational behaviour of crystalline rocks under uniaxial compression state. Eng. Geol. 56:257–274. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-7952(99)00090-3
Gupta AS, Rao KS (2001) Weathering indices and their applicability for crystalline rocks. Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 60:201–221. https://doi.org/10.1007/s100640100113
Hoek E, Brown E (1997) Practical estimates of rock mass strength. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 34:1165–1186. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1365-1609(97)80069-X
Irfan TY, Dearman WR (1978) The engineering petrography of a weathered granite in Cornwall. England. Q. J. Eng. Geol. Hydrogeol. 11:233–244. https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.QJEG.1978.011.03.03
ISRM (1979a) Suggested method for determination of water content, porosity, density, absorption and related properties and swelling, slake durability index properties. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 16:141–156
ISRM (1979b) Suggested methods for determing the uniaxial compressive strength and deformability of rock materials. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. Geomech 16
ISRM (2015) The ISRM suggested methods for rock characterization, testing and monitoring: 2007-2014. Springer International Publishing, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07713-0
Kahraman S, Fener M, Gunaydin O (2017) Estimating the uniaxial compressive strength of pyroclastic rocks from the slake durability index. Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 76:1107–1115. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-016-0893-3
Khanlari GR, Heidari M, Momeni AA (2012) Assessment of weathering processes effect on engineering properties of Alvand granitic rocks (west of Iran), based on weathering indices. Environ. Earth Sci. 67:713–725. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-1518-6
Le Pera E, Critelli S, Sorriso-Valvo M (2001) Weathering of gneiss in Calabria, southern Italy. Catena 42:1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0341-8162(00)00117-X
Marques EAG, Barroso EV, Menezes Filho AP, do Vargas EA (2010) Weathering zones on metamorphic rocks from Rio de Janeiro-physical, mineralogical and geomechanical characterization. Eng. Geol. 111:1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2009.11.001
Momeni A, Hashemi SS, Khanlari GR, Heidari M (2017) The effect of weathering on durability and deformability properties of granitoid rocks. Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 76:1037–1049. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-016-0999-7
Monticeli JP, Cantarella VP, Cacciari PP, Futai MM (2015) Roughness characterization of discontinuity sets by profilometer scanner images, in: XV Pan American Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. SAIG, Buenos Aires, pp 85–92
Monticeli JP, Sígolo JB, Futai MM (2016) O uso da Análise Petrográfica e Micromorfológica na Determinação dos Graus de Alteração de um Maciço Rochoso Gnáissico, in: VII Simposio Brasileiro de Mecânica Das Rochas (SBMR). p. 8.
Moradizadeh M, Cheshomi A, Ghafoori M, TrighAzali S (2016) Correlation of equivalent quartz content, slake durability index and Is50 with Cerchar abrasiveness index for different types of rock. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 86:42–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2016.04.003
Sajid M, Coggan J, Arif M, Andersen J, Rollinson G (2016) Petrographic features as an effective indicator for the variation in strength of granites. Eng. Geol. 202:44–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2016.01.001
Santos YLOP, Chaves SS, Paredes JP, Zenobio AA (2012) Proposta de índice de ajuste (Aw) utilizando o grau de intemperismo no sistema RMR (Rock Mass Rating) de classificação do maciço rochoso., in: Congresso Brasileiro de Mina a Céu Aberto E Mina Subterrânea. Belo Horizonte.
Smith JV (2018) Rock structure characterization of a magnetite gneiss with foliation-parallel discontinuities for footwall slope design. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 108:105–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2018.06.005
Udagedara DT, Oguchi CT, Gunatilake AAJK (2017) Combination of chemical indices and physical properties in the assessment of weathering grades of sillimanite-garnet gneiss in tropical environment. Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 76:145–157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-016-0878-2
Vieira VS, Silva MA, Corrêa TR, Lopes MHB (2014) Mapa Geológico do Espírito Santo - Escala 1:400.000., in: Simpósio Brasileiro de Exploração Mineral, Ouro Preto.
Acknowledgments
We thank the journal reviewers for the comments which helped to improve the paper.
Funding
We thank CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development) for the scholarship and the Engineering School of the University of São Paulo and the Department of Geotechnics of the Engineering School of São Carlos, which made the development of this research possible.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Monticelli, J.P., Ribeiro, R. & Futai, M. Relationship between durability index and uniaxial compressive strength of a gneissic rock at different weathering grades. Bull Eng Geol Environ 79, 1381–1397 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-019-01625-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-019-01625-9