Engineering

properties of rock

Prepared by: Wayne Matthew lobitania

BSCE - 3
14105905
study of engineering properties of
rocks very important during the
engineering planning's such as:-

 Evaluations of geological hazards(rock slide,

tunnel stability)
 Selection and preparation of rock material
 Evaluation of cutting and drilling ability
 Analysis of rock deformation
 Design of support system
 Selection of site for structures
Properties of rock are of two types

 Rock material property

 Rock mass property
 Rock material property

 This includes:-
 Rock type – Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic
 Colour – Rocks change color due to mix of minerals
 Particle size – Rocks change shape due to erosion
 Texture
 Hardness
 Strength
 It is described by using qualitative methods and simple
classification test
Rock mass property

 Rock mass properties are comprised of features

generally observed, measured, and documented in the
field for in-place rock.
 Discontinuities' are distinct breaks or interruption in
the integrating of rocks mass that converts a rock mass
into discontinuity assembly of blocks, plates or
irregular rock particles .
 Naturally occurring ex are stream cobbles ,talus ,and
glacial boulders etc.
Common properties which are shared
by both:-

 Seismic velocity
 Weathering
 Secondary cavities
Engineering properties of
rock

 Rock types:- it is simplified geological

classification of rock based on its genetic
categories , structures , composition and
grain size.
 Rock strength:-
(i)Tensile strength
(ii) Hardness
(iii) Impact strength
Tensile strength

 This is the maximum conventional stress

that can be sustained by the material.
 It is the ultimate strength in tension and
corresponds to the maximum load in a
tension test.
 It is measured by the highest point on the
conventional stress-strain curve. In
engineering tension tests this strength
provides the basic design information on
the materials.
hardness

 Hardness is the resistance of

material to permanent deformation
of the surface. It is the property of
a metal, which gives it the ability to
resist being permanently deformed
(bent, broken or shape change),
when a load is applied.

 The hardness of a surface of the

material is a direct result of inter
atomic forces acting on the surface
of the material.
hardness

 Hardness is not a fundamental property of

a material, but a combined effect of
compressive, elastic and plastic
properties relative to the mode of
penetration, shape of penetration etc.
 The main usefulness of hardness is, it has
a constant relationship to the tensile
strength of a given material and so can be
used as a practical non-destructive test .
Impact strength

 Impact strength is the resistance of a

material to fracture under dynamic load.
 It is a complex characteristic which takes
into account both the toughness and
strength of a material.
 In S.I. units the impact strength is
expressed in Mega Newton per m2
(MN/m2).
 It is defined as the specific work required
to fracture a test specimen with a stress
concentrator in the mid when broken by a
single blow of striker in pendulum type
impact testing machine.