Using Indirect Testing Methods to Quickly Acquire the Rock Strength and Rock Mass Classification in Tunnel Engineering
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 20, Issue 5
Abstract
Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and tensile strength are essential parameters of rocks, but the direct measurement of these two parameters is time-consuming and requires high-quality samples. As such, academics brought attention to the indirect tests (such as point load test, ultrasonic wave velocity test, and Schmidt hammer test) that could be used to estimate UCS and tensile strength quickly. The empirical equations for estimating UCS and tensile strength of rocks in study cases remain poorly understood as previous equations based on indirect testing methods possess a lithological heterogeneity–dependent nature. Laboratory experiments (e.g., uniaxial compressive test, Brazilian test, point load test) and regression analysis were performed to acquire the correlation equations for calculating UCS or tensile strength of rocks based on indirect tests. Significant linear equations were derived and UCS or tensile strength can be estimated by point load test with acceptable discrepancy. The comparison study showed that using improper empirical equations to predict UCS and tensile strength can yield significant errors. A modified basic quality (BQ) rock mass classification system was also presented to conveniently classify the rock mass in study cases.
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Acknowledgments
Much of the work presented in this paper was supported by the National Natural Science Foundations of China (grant numbers 51309144, 51379112, 51422904, 40902084, 41772298, and 41877239), the State Key Development Program for Basic Research of China (grant number 2013CB036002), and Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation (grant number JQ201513). The authors would like to acknowledge the editors and reviewers for their time and effort in reviewing and improving the manuscript.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 20 • Issue 5 • May 2020
Copyright
© 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 18, 2019
Accepted: Sep 19, 2019
Published online: Mar 16, 2020
Published in print: May 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Aug 17, 2020
Authors
Funding Information
National Natural Science Foundation of Chinahttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001809: 51309144, 51379112, 51422904, 40902084, 41772298
Natural Science Foundation of Jilin Provincehttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100007847: 41877239
State Key Development Program for Basic Research of China: 2013CB036002
Natural Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation: JQ201513
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