ENGINEERING CHARACTERIZATION OF SOFT ROCKS FOR ROADING

Extensive field logging, sampling, and laboratory testing have been carried out to evaluate engineering characteristics of soft sedimentary rocks for the National Roads Board. These materials occur widely in New Zealand, particularly in the North Island, and can give rise to various roading problems. Most soft rocks are marine and Tertiary in age but locally are Upper Cretaceous and Lower Quaternary. Lithologies vary from place to place, with siltstone and sandstone being particularly common. No existing engineering classification appears to be directly applicable, and development of a soft rock classification specific to New Zealand materials is considered to be impracticable at present. However, it is believed that most soft rocks can be characterized adequately for engineering purposes by ensuring that engineering geological data are obtained in the field and laboratory testing carried out to determine such parameters as water content, density, slaking, swelling, particle size, Atterberg limits, and strength. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  National Roads Board, New Zealand

  P.O. Box 12-041
  Wellington,   New Zealand 
• Authors:
  • Riddolls, B W
  • Read, SAL
• Publication Date: 1980-12

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 21 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Atterberg limits; Classification; Conferences; Density; Geology; Grain size (Geology); Moisture content; Properties of materials; Sedimentary rocks; Slaking; Soft rock; Strength of materials
• Old TRIS Terms: Geological classification systems
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; I41: General Soil Surveys;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00349185
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Project 47925
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 30 1982 12:00AM