Geomechanical strength of carbonate rock in Kinta Valley, Perak, Malaysia

Abstract

The geomechanical strength of rock materials plays a significant role in influencing the stability of both cut rock slopes and underground openings. The strength characteristics are influenced by both material characteristics and the condition of weathering. This paper presents a systematic approach to quantify the rock material strength characteristics for material failure and material & discontinuities failure by using uniaxial compressive strength, point load strength index and Brazilian tensile strength for carbonate rocks. The mean value of compressive strength, point load strength index and Brazilian tensile strength for with material failure and material & discontinuities failure were 76.8±4.5 and 41.2±4.1 MPa respectively. The Point load strength index for material failure and material & discontinuities failure were 3.1 ± 0.2 MPa and 1.8 ± 0.3 MPa respectively. The Brazilian tensile strength with material failure and material & discontinuities failure were7.1 ± 0.3 MPa and 4.1 ± 0.3 MPa respectively. The results of this research revealed that the geomechanical strengths of rock material of carbonate rocks for material & discontinuities failure deteriorates approximately 1/2 from material failure.