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Developments in a non‐destructive method of determining rock strength
Author(s) -
Allison Robert J.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
earth surface processes and landforms
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.294
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1096-9837
pISSN - 0197-9337
DOI - 10.1002/esp.3290150608
Subject(s) - schmidt hammer , geological strength index , geology , landform , rock mass classification , geotechnical engineering , hammer , compressive strength , mining engineering , geomorphology , engineering , materials science , structural engineering , composite material
Material strength is an important variable for any study of the relationships between rock mass geomechanical characteristics and landform development. Standard field and laboratory tests for measuring strength present a variety of problems to the geomorphologist. Recent studies (Allison, 1988) have described a laboratory based non‐destructive method for indirectly determining material strength, by measuring Dynamic Young's Modulus. Data presented here suggest that the same apparatus can be used as a field technique. Tests have been conducted on the Devonian limestone of the Napier Range, Western Australia. Laboratory results obtained using the non‐destructive ultrasonic apparatus have a high correlation with triaxial Hoek Cell tests. Results from on‐site tests have much greater accuracy than data collected using the Schmidt hammer, which is currently the most widely used geomorphological field technique for determining rock strength.