Engineering Geology

Engineering Geology

Development of a new method for estimating strength of rock blocks using non-destructive ultrasonic wave

Author
Hassan Moomivand
Assistant Professor of Urmia University
10.18869/acadpub.jeg.10.1.3271
Abstract
Non-destructive methods such as ultrasonic wave velocity are extensively used for estimating physical and mechanical properties of rock due to the simplicity, economical, fast and harmless nature. Rock constructions have been made worldwide from past to present. Determination of strength of rock constructions such as archeological evidence is not possible using conventional rock strength tests. Developing a cheap, simple, non-destructive, efficient and accurate method to estimate the strength of such constructions can be useful. Rock blocks and constructions have various shapes and sizes. Rock blocks having various shapes and sizes have been prepared from marble, travertine, granite, and limestone and ultrasonic wave velocity at various directions of the blocks dimensions and the uniaxial compressive strength of cylindrical core obtained from the blocks have been measured. The results show that shapes and sizes have no effect on the ultrasonic wave velocity. At the end relationships between uniaxial compressive strength and ultrasonic wave velocity have been determined. The uniaxial compressive strength of blocks and rock constructions can be estimated by the obtained relationships using non-destructive, simple and indeed low cost method of ultrasonic wave velocity.
Keywords
ultrasonic wave
shape and size
strength
rock blocks
1. Moomivand H., "Development of a new method for estimating the indirect uniaxial compressive strength of rock using schmidt hammer", Journal of BHM (Berg-und Hüttenmännische Monatshefte) Vol. 156, No. 4 (2011) 142-146.## 2. Khandelwal M., Singh, T.N., "Correlating static properties of coal measures rocks with P-wave velocity", International Journal of Coal Geology,Vol. 49 (2009) 55-60.## 3. Yasar E.Y., Erdogan Y., "Correlating sound velocity with the density, compressive strength and Young’s modulus of carbonate rocks", International Journal of Rock Mechanics & Mining Sciences Vol. 41, (2004) 871-875.## 4. Gaviglio P., "Longitudinal waves propagation in a limestone: the relationship between velocity and density", Rock Mech Rock Eng., Vol. 22 (1989) 299-306.## 5. Facaoaru I., Lungnani C., "Contributions to the diagnosis of stone and concrete by structures by using non-destructive techniques, Conservation of Stone and Other Materials", Vol. II, (1993) 238-251.## 6. ستاری ق.، دهقان س.، شهریار ک.، کاربرد روش غیرمخرب سرعت موج طولی برای تخمین مقاومت تراکمی تک‌محوری، مدول الاستیسیته و تخلخل تراورتن محلات، سومین کنفرانس مهندسی معدن ایران، یزد (1388).## 7. قزوینیان ع.، فتحی ع.، رشیدی م.، کاربرد روش‌های غیرمخرب در اندازه‌گیری برخی پارامترهای فیزیکی و مکانیکی مارن های زاگرس، کنفرانس مهندسی معدن ایران، تهران (1383).## 8. جوادیان د.، بررسی روشی نوین برای برآورد مقاومت بناهای سنگی با استفاده از سرعت امواج اولتراسونیک، پایان نامه کارشناسی ارشد. دانشگاه صنعتی سهند (1390).## 9. ASTM, "Standard test method for laboratory determination of pulse velocities and ultrasonic constants rock, ASTM Annual Book of Standards", D 2845-08 (2008).## 10. ASTM, "Standard test method for uniaxial compressive strength of intact core specimens, ASTM Annual Book of Standards", D2938-95 (1997) 279-281.##  
Engineering Geology
Volume 10, Issue 1 - Serial Number 24
Summer 2016
Pages 3271-3286