P-wave velocity test for assessment of geotechnical properties of some rock materials

Abstract

P-wave velocity test, a non-destructive and easy method to apply in both field and laboratory conditions, has increasingly been conducted to determine the geotechnical properties of rock materials. The aim of this study is to predict the rock properties including the uniaxial compressive strength, Schmidt hardness, modulus of elasticity, water absorption and effective porosity, slake durability index, saturated and dry density of rock using P-wave velocity (V _p ). For this purpose geotechnical properties of nine different rock types were determined in the laboratory and their mineralogical composition examined using thin section analysis. Utilizing the generated data, sets of empirical equations were developed between V _p and relevant quantified rock parameters. The validity of the obtained empirical equations was confirmed using statistical analysis. It is evident that rock texture and mineralogical compositions affect the geotechnical properties of rock materials. Therefore, the best relationship obtained between both E and UCS with V _p in the correlation coefficient of 0·92 and 0·95 in that order. It is concluded that V _p could be practically used for estimating the measured rock properties except dry and saturated density of rocks (r = 0·58 and 0·46 respectively).