CORRELATION OF THE SEISMIC VELOCITY OF ROCK TO THE RIPPING ABILITY OF THE HD41 TRACTOR

Seismic velocities were obtained of rock where the Allis-Chalmers HD41 (now Fiat-Allis 41-B) tractor was being used, followed by observations of which rock was rippable; or in the case of already completed projects, a determination was made by interviewing inspectors, engineers, and superintendents of which rock had been rippable and which had required blasting. The study included two types of rock on seven projects, which were the only projects to use HD41 tractors during the study time. The rock types studied were granitic and volcanic. The granitic rock consisted of fractured to massive, weathered to fresh quartz diorite, granite, and gneiss. The volcanic rocks included basalt, basaltic agglomerate, and a welded tuff. The basaltic material ranged from fresh to weathered, while the tuff was relatively fresh but ranged from intensely fractured to massive. The rippability of rock is related to the joint spacings and rock type as well as the seismic velocity.

• Corporate Authors:

  California Department of Transportation

  Transportation Laboratory
  5900 Folsom Boulevard
  Sacramento, CA  United States  95819

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Stephens, E
• Publication Date: 1977-4

Media Info

• Pagination: 31 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Basalt; Bulldozers; Construction equipment; Excavations; Granite; Igneous rocks; Joints; Physical properties; Presplitting (Blasting); Rocks; Seismology; Spacing; Tearing; Truck tractors; Volcanic rock
• Uncontrolled Terms: Joint spacing
• Old TRIS Terms: Rock properties
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00167026
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWACA-TL-2153-77-10Final Rpt., 19203
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Oct 29 1978 12:00AM