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Assessment of deformation modulus of weak rock masses from pressuremeter tests and seismic surveys

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Abstract

The deformation modulus of intact rock can be determined through standardized laboratory tests for heavily jointed rock masses but this is very difficult, while in situ tests are time-consuming and expensive. In this study, the deformation modulus of selected heavily jointed, sheared and/or blocky, weathered, weak greywacke, andesite and claystone were assessed, based on pressuremeter tests, geo-engineering characterization and seismic surveys. Empirical equations based on GSI and RMR values are proposed to indirectly estimate the deformation modulus of the greywackes. For the andesites, the spacing of the discontinuities is greater than the length of the pressuremeter probe hence the intact rather than rock mass deformation modulus is obtained. The pressuremeter test results from the claystones could not be correlated with the field data; the relationship between the ratio of rock mass modulus to intact rock modulus and RQD appears to give a better estimation of the deformation modulus.

Résumé

Le module de déformation de roches intactes peut être déterminé à partir d’essais de laboratoire normalisés. Ces essais peuvent difficilement donner les paramètres de déformabilité de masses rocheuses intensément fracturées. Par ailleurs les essais en place sont longs et coûteux. Dans cette étude, les modules de déformation ont été évalués pour des grauwackes, des andésites et des argilites intensément fracturés ou altérés, en utilisant l’essai pressiométrique, des classifications géotechniques et des résultats de prospections sismiques. Des équations empiriques basées sur les indices GSI et RMR sont proposées afin d’estimer les modules de déformation de grauwackes. Pour les andésites testées, l’espacement des discontinuités est plus grand que la longueur de la sonde pressiométrique. De ce fait, c’est plus le module de déformation de la matrice rocheuse qui est obtenu, plutôt que celui du massif rocheux. Les résultats des essais pressiométriques relatifs aux argilites n’ont pu être corrélés avec des données de terrain. La relation entre d’une part le rapport module du massif rocheux sur module de la matrice rocheuse et d’autre part l’indice RQD apparaît plus adaptée pour donner une bonne estimation du module de déformation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Technical Education, Department of Construction, Gazi University, Besevler, Ankara, Turkey

    Nihat Sinan Isik

  2. Department of Geological Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey

    Vedat Doyuran

  3. Department of Geological Engineering, Hacettepe University, 06800, Beytepe, Ankara, Turkey

    Resat Ulusay

Authors
  1. Nihat Sinan Isik
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  2. Vedat Doyuran
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  3. Resat Ulusay
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Correspondence to Resat Ulusay.

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Isik, N.S., Doyuran, V. & Ulusay, R. Assessment of deformation modulus of weak rock masses from pressuremeter tests and seismic surveys. Bull Eng Geol Environ 67, 293–304 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-008-0163-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-008-0163-0

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