Assessing the uniaxial compressive strength of extremely hard cryptocrystalline flint
File(s)Manuscript_UCS prediction model.docx (5.05 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Cryptocrystalline flint is an extremely hard siliceous rock that is found in chalk formations. The chalk is frequently a prefered rock type, which in recent decades is often used as a host for underground rock caverns and tunnels in Europe and North America. A reliable estimation of the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of the extremely strong flint, with an average UCS of about 600 MPa will provide guidance for a proper engineering design, where flint is encountered, thereby avoiding project progress delay, litigation as well as economic consequences. Conventional UCS measurement using core samples is cumbersome for flint due to the extreme strength and hardness of the rock, for which the core sample preparation process is often extremely difficult. In this study, the UCS prediction models of flints collected from the North-West Europe were developed and the validity of the developed models was investigated. A series of laboratory index tests (comprising the three-point-bending, point load, ultrasonic velocity, density, Shore hardness and Cerchar Abrasivity tests) were perfomed. The index test results were correlated with the UCS values previously determined in the laboratory using both cylindrical and cuboidal specimens to develop the UCS prediction models. Regression analysis of the UCS and the index test results was then performed to evaluate for any potential correlations that can be applied to estimate the UCS of the cryptocrystalline flint. Intensive validity and comparison studies were performed to assess the performance of the proposed UCS prediction models. This study showed that UCS of the tested flint is linearly correlated with its point load strength index, tensile strength and compressional velocity, and is parabolically correlated with its density. The present study also demonstrated that only a couple of the previously developed empirical UCS models for estimating UCS are suitable for flint, which should be used with care.
Date Issued
2019-01-01
Date Acceptance
2018-12-04
Citation
International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 2019, 113 (1), pp.310-321
ISSN
0020-7624
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
310
End Page
321
Journal / Book Title
International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences
Volume
113
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000454150800028&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Science & Technology
Technology
Physical Sciences
Engineering, Geological
Mining & Mineral Processing
Engineering
Flint
Uniaxial compressive strength
Empirical estimation
Drilling
TBM tunneling
POINT LOAD STRENGTH
P-WAVE VELOCITY
CERCHAR ABRASIVITY INDEX
ENGINEERING PROPERTIES
ELASTIC PROPERTIES
GRANITIC-ROCKS
PRESERVATION
POROSITY
MODULUS
TENSILE
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2018-12-20