INFLUENCE OF MOISTURE CONTENT ON THE STRENGTH OF WEATHERED SANDSTONE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11113/mjce.v20.15762Keywords:
Moisture content, weak sandstone, penetration test, strengthAbstract
Variation of moisture content of weathered rock is an important issue in the tropical climate as extreme temperature and heavy downpour accelerate the changes in rock properties. This paper presents the results of excavatability study on sandstones of various weathering stages focusing on the effect of moisture content on their strength. Penetration tests were carried out on 127 samples collected from four sites in Bukit Indah, Kempas, Desa Tebrau and Mersing of Johor State. The resistance at 10 mm penetration of Universal Testing Machine is indicative of penetration index of the rock materials, to allow the prediction of rock strength. There is a significant relationship among weathering grades, moisture absorption and strength of rock. This is due to the microstructure changes in the rock in relation to weathering process that controls their physical and mechanical properties. The study revealed that fabric characteristics and pore spaces are very important for assessing the behaviour of weathered rock.References
Broch, E. (1974). The Influence of Water on Some Rock Properties. Advances in Rock Mechanics. Proceedings of the Third Congressof the ISRM. Vol.11, Part A : 33-38.
Edy Tonnizam Mohamad (2007). Engineering Properties of Weathered Rock Masses for Surface Excavation Works, Ph.D. Thesis, Universiti teknologi Malaysia.
Franklin, J.A., Broch, E., and Walton, G., (1971), Logging the mechanical character of rock: Trans. Ins. of Mining and Metallurgy, Sec. A : 1-9.4
Ibrahim Komoo, (1995). Syarahan Perdana Geologi Kejuruteraan Perspektif Rantau Tropika Lembap,: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia., Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
International Society of Rock Mechanics (ISRM), (1981). Rock Characterization Suggested Method. Testing and Monitoring.: London., Pergamon Press.
Lumb, P., (1983). Engineering Properties of Fresh and Decomposed Igneous Rock From Hong Kong . Engineering Geology 19: 81-94.
Moon, V., (1993). Microstructural controls on geomechanical behaviour of ignimbrite: Engineering Geology, 35:19-31
Nicolson, D.T., (2001). Pore Properties as Indicator of Breakdown Mechanism in Experimentally Weathered Limestones. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 26:816-838.
Tugrul, A., (2004). The Effect of Weathering on Pore Geometry and Compressive Strength of Selected Rock Types From Turkey, Engineering Geology 75: 215-227.
Zainab Mohamed (2004). Pencirian Kejuruteraan Batuan Sedimen Terluluhawa Untuk Kerja Kejuruteraan. PhD Thesis, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia