STRENGTH TESTING OF SELECTED SILURIAN SEDIMENTARY ROCK

The variation in strength is investigated for eight lithologically similar, Silurian sedimentary rock units from the northeastern United States. The tests used for this investigation include the fracture toughness, uniaxial compression, point load index, Brazil tensile, and rebound hardness tests. Based on the data from this study, the amount of variation associated with each test and formation is approximately constant although there are indications that the fracture toughness test may give more consistent results than the other tests. Results of strength and in-situ location correlations indicate that the variation in strength within a unit is on the same order of magnitude as the variation associated with each test. Existing correlations among the tests were examined in the framework of the data from this study. Two often used predictive relationships were supported best. Also, correlations for predicting fracture toughness were presented. The variation in strength upon saturation for the sandstone was determined; generally, the strength decreased with saturation. Lastly, the variation in strength as a function of lithological differences within one formation was evaluated. The results indicate that it may be more important to sample a rock unit selectively in a number of different locations than to do extensive testing in one spot. (Author/TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  ENGINEERING

  Ithaca, NY  United States 
• Authors:
  • Gunsallus, K L
  • Kulhawy, F H
• Publication Date: 1983-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 117 p.
• Serial:
  • CORNELL UNIVERSITY GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING REPORT
  • Issue Number: 83-6
  • Publisher: ENGINEERING

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Compression; Field tests; Hardness; Rocks; Sediments; Strength of materials; Test procedures; Variables
• Geographic Terms: United States
• ITRD Terms: 5532: Compression; 5914: Hardness; 6226: In situ; 4154: Rock; 4190: Sediment; 5544: Strength (mater); 6288: Test method; 8122: USA; 9086: Variability
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00499357
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 30 1990 12:00AM