Rock Mechanics and Tunneling

Professor Debarghya Chakraborty

Department of Civil Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Lecture 12
Topic - Introduction, physical properties
(Refer Slide Time: 0:36)

Hello everyone, I welcome all of you to the first lecture of module 3. So, in this module, we will
discuss the Physico-Mechanical Properties of Rock, so let us see what we will learn today.

(Refer Slide Time: 0:46)

So, what are the different physico-mechanical properties, important properties that we should
know that we will discuss, and then we will start in detail about the physical properties of rock?

(Refer Slide Time: 1:02)

So, before discussing the physico-mechanical properties, I think let us become a little bit clear
about these two terms, you must have noticed, or in the future, you will notice that we often tell
these two terms, intact rock and rock mass. So, what is intact rock? Intact rock is defined in
engineering terms as rock containing no significant fracture.

So, no significant fractures, that is very important. However, if we look at it on a small scale,
then obviously in intact rock also is composed of small grains, but if we overall see, what we can
say intact rock is defined in engineering terms as rock containing no significant fractures, so
significant fracture that is important.

These intact rock samples are generally tested in the laboratory to estimate different engineering
properties. So, for laboratory testing, we primarily use these intact rock samples. However, what
is rock mass? That is very important. I told you earlier also, but it is written here in a better way.

So, rock mass includes joints, fractures, and other geological discontinuities in the rock matrix.
So, when these joints, fractures, and other discontinuities, as we have seen earlier like bedding
plane, fault, all these things will present in that matrix, then we call it the rock mass.
So, rock mass includes joints, fractures, and other geological discontinuities in the rock matrix.
So, these two terms are important, intact rock and rock mass, because we will use these two
terms in our future classes again and again.

(Refer Slide Time: 3:06)

Now, again let us come back to the main topic of our discussion on the physico-mechanical
properties of rock. Determining the physico-mechanical properties of rock is very important for
understanding its performance. So, if we know about the physico-mechanical properties, we will
be able to get some idea about how it will perform under different loading conditions.

These physical properties are also known as index properties, and in soil mechanics, you must
have learned about the index properties, but here from the perspective of rock, we will also
discuss this in detail. Then mechanical properties indicate the behavior of rock subjected to
loading.

So, the behavior of the mechanical properties of rock indicates the behavior of rock subjected to
loading. Due to the heterogeneous and anisotropic nature of the rock, these physico-mechanical
properties of rock, even for the same geological formation, may vary significantly from point to
point. So that is one of the crucial things that we have to keep in our mind, and that is why not
only the laboratory test we must perform the field test to get a complete idea about the physico-
mechanical properties of rock.

(Refer Slide Time: 5:00)

Now, we will discuss physical properties first and then the mechanical properties. So, let us see
the different physical properties we should learn.

(Refer Slide Time: 5:14)

So, I can write down the name of some of the physical properties, such as porosity. We will
discuss porosity. We will also discuss the void ratio, and then we will discuss the degree of
saturation. Then we will also discuss the water content. We should discuss the different types of
unit weights.
Then the specific gravity is also one of the important terms. Then we should learn about
permeability also. Also, with the help of different electrical properties like electrical resistivity
and electrical conductivity, we can get a good idea about the properties of the rock mass.

Similar to electrical resistivity and conductivity, thermal resistivity and conductivity are other
things. These thermal properties are also very important based on that also we can get some good
idea about the rock mask with which you have to deal.

We should also discuss another thing about which we have some idea: the velocity of seismic
waves in rock. So, in our previous module, we have discussed geophysical testing, and from
there, we could get the idea of the seismic waves. With the help of that, we can perform
geophysical testing, which can be very helpful in exploring different useful information. So, that
is why this is also one of the important physical properties.

So, the velocity of seismic waves in rock. Another important property is the durability of rock.
These are very important properties listed here, which we should discuss. So, other than these
physical properties, another thing is the mechanical properties.
(Refer Slide Time: 9:30)

So, under mechanical properties, we will learn the compressive strength of rock. As we know,
rock is good in taking compression but not good in tension. So, we should have a good idea
about the compressive strength of rock. So, other than that, we should obviously learn about
tensile strength.

Then we will learn the point load strength, and we should have a good idea about the shear
strength properties of rock. So, we will learn the shear strength of the rock in detail. Other than
that, we should have a good idea about the elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio of rock because
they are also essential. So, elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio. So, these are some of the
important mechanical properties we will definitely discuss in this module.
(Refer Slide Time: 11:42)

We will first discuss porosity, void ratio, all those things. So let us first discuss this phase
diagram of porous rock. So, if we consider this is the porous rock. So, these are the solid rock
particles. Voids are there in between these particles. In voids, water can be there, and air can be
there.

Now, this schematic diagram of the porous rock sample can be represented with the help of a
phase diagram. So, let us see this. So, we can see there are three phases, air, water, and rock
solids. So, there are three phases, i.e., solid, liquid, and gas. Hence, it is known as the three-phase
diagram.

Now, V is the total volume of the sample. Va is the volume of air, then Vw is the volume of water.
The volume of voids (Vv) = Va + Vw. So, Vv is nothing but Va + Vw, i.e., the volume of voids;
likewise, Vs is the volume of rock solids.

Similarly, W is the total weight of the rock sample. Here we are neglecting Wa, which means the
weight of air because that will be negligible compared to the weight of water and the rock solids.
So, the weight of air is neglected. So, the total weight (W) = the weight of water (Ww) + the
weight of rock solids (Ws). It is the three-phase diagram where air, water, and rock solids are
present.

(Refer Slide Time: 14:10)

Now, with the help of this diagram, we can define different properties, such as porosity. Now,
porosity (η) is defined as the ratio of the volume of voids (Vv) to the total volume of rock (V). So
Vv
is the porosity of the rock.
V

Then related to this, another property is the void ratio. What is the void ratio? It is the ratio of the
Vv
volume of voids (Vv) to the volume of rock solids (Vs), i.e., . Then the degree of saturation is
Vs
the ratio of the volume of water (Vw) to the total volume of voids (Vv). As we know, Vv = Va +
Vw
Vw. The degree of saturation is the volume of water (Vw)/the total volume of void (Vv), i.e., .
Vv
It is generally presented in %, so  100%.

Next is water content. The water content (ω) is also a fundamental property. It is presented in
terms of weight. It is the ratio of the weight of water (Ww) to the weight of the solids (Ws), i.e.,
Ww
.
Ws
(Refer Slide Time: 16:29)

Now, we will see a few more important things also. However, let us see the relationship between
void ratio and porosity. If one parameter is known, the other one can be easily evaluated. So, let
us see what the relationship between void ratio and porosity is.

So, let us keep this diagram beside and try to derive an expression between void ratio (e) and
Vv
porosity (η). So, we know void ratio (e) is . Now, our objective is to find a relationship
Vs
between void ratio and porosity.
 Vv
So, the void ratio (e) can be written as . Now, Vs can be written as total volume (V) – Volume
Vs
of voids (Vv). Now, what will you get if we divide both the numerator and denominator with the
VV
V
total volume (V)? So, V . Now, what is this v ?
V  Vv V
V

Vv  V  V
So, is equal to the porosity, and if we simplify this one, it will give 1  v  . Again, v is
V  V  V

the porosity. So, this is (1 – porosity). Hence, e  . So, this is the relationship between void
1 
ratio and porosity. Similarly, we can have another relationship between porosity and void ratio.
Here, we have represented the void ratio in terms of porosity. Now, we can also present porosity
in terms of void ratio.

(Refer Slide Time: 19:01)

Vv
As we already know that   . The total volume (V) can be represented as Vs + Vv. So, V = Vs
V
+ Vv. Now, if we divide both the numerator and denominator with Vs, what we should get let us
see.
 Vv V  Vs V
So, in the numerator, it is , and in the denominator, it is v . If we simplify, v will
Vs Vv Vs
represent the void ratio (e). So we can write it as a void ratio, and in the denominator, it is
Vv Vv e
1 . is the void ratio. So, the porosity (η) = . Thus, if we know the void ratio (e), we
Vs Vs 1 e
can simply evaluate the porosity (η).

(Refer Slide Time: 20:36)

Now, let us proceed further. Let us see a few more important relationships like the weight
volume relationship. and some of the important definitions of different other properties like the
bulk unit weight of the rock (γ), so what is that? That is the total weight of rock (W) divided by
W
the total volume of rock (V). The bulk unit weight of the rock,   .
V

Now, we will see another essential term, i.e., unit weight of rock solids (γs). So, in that case, what
do we have to consider? The weight of rock solids (Ws) is divided by the volume of rock solids
(Vs). So, both weight and volume are with respect to the rock solids. The unit weight of rock
Ws
solids,  s  .
Vs

Another important term is the dry unit weight of the rock (γd). It is different from the unit weight
of the rock solids (γs). So, what is the difference? The dry unit weight of rock (γd) is equal to the
weight of rock solids (Ws) divided by the total volume of rock (V). In the case of dry unit weight
(γd), the denominator is the total volume (V), whereas, for the unit of rock weight of rock solids
(γs), the denominator is the volume of rock solids (Vs). For the dry unit weight of the rock, it is
Ws
the total volume (V). So, the dry unit weight of the rock,  d  .
V

We all know about specific gravity. The specific gravity of rock solids can be presented with Gs.
It is the ratio of the unit weight of rock solids (γs) to the unit weight of water (γw). It is at a
standard temperature. We know that specific gravity is always presented at a particular
s
temperature. So, the specific gravity of rock solids (Gs) = .
w

(Refer Slide Time: 22:48)

Now, let us see a few other important weight-volume relationships like, Gs  Se . Here, ω
represents the moisture content. So, the specific gravity of rock solids (Gs)  the moisture
content (ω) = the degree of saturation (S)  the void ratio (e).

So, the following important expression or the weight-volume relationship is bulk unit weight of
 G  Se 
rock (γ) can be represented as  s    w . Here, the degree of saturation varies from 0 to 1,
 1 e 
i.e., 0% to 100%. S is represented not in percent in the expression, so it is presented in decimal.
It varies from 0 to 1.
When S = 1, it represents 100% saturation. Thus, we will get the saturated unit weight of rock
 G  Se 
(γsat). So, in this equation    s    w , if we place S = 1, then γ will become the γsat. The
 1 e 
G e
expression for saturated unit weight will be  sat   s  w
 1 e 

What do we have to do for the dry unit weight (γd)? We have to consider no saturation for dry
 G  Se 
unit weight, i.e., S = 0. So, if we make S = 0 in the equation    s    w , the Se term
 1 e 
Gs   w
vanishes. The dry unit weight of rock (γd) = .
1 e

Now, this one is the essential expression, i.e., the dry unit weight of the rock (γd) = bulk unit
weight of rock (γd) divided by [1 + moisture content (ω)]. So, now let us try to derive this
expression from the three-phase diagram.

(Refer Slide Time: 25:50)

Ws
As we know that γd is equal the dry unit weight of the rock, i.e., . Now, the V can be
V
W W W
represented as . Since the bulk unit weight,   , therefore, V  .
 V 
 W
So, we will write it over here . Now, let us take this γ at the numerator. Then we will get

Ws Ws
d  . Now, what is W? It is the summation of Ww and Ws. So, we can write  d  .
W Ws  Ww
In the denominator, it is the weight of rock solids (Ws) plus the weight of water (Ww) as we are
neglecting the weight of air.

Ws
Ws
If we divide both numerator and denominator by Ws, we will get  d  . Ws will get
Ws  Ww
Ws

Ww W
canceled in the numerator, and in the denominator, it will be 1  . Now, w is the moisture
Ws Ws

content (ω). Thus, the dry unit of the rock can be expressed as  d  .
1 

(Refer Slide Time: 28:46)

V
Similarly, we can derive another expression. The moisture content,     1 . So, how to do
Ws
that? We will again look at the three-phase diagram. So, we know that moisture content (ω) =
Ww
. Now, Ww can be written as W – Ws, and it is Ws in the denominator. Now, what can we do?
Ws
 W  V
We can simplify it. So,    1 . Now, W is equal to γ  V. So, we can write    1 or,
Ws Ws

V 
      1 . So, this is proved.
 Ws 

(Refer Slide Time: 30:30)

Now, we will look into some of the typical average dry unit weight (γd) values of some of the
common rocks from this table. So, these all are in kN/m3. The average dry unit weight of the
Granite sample is around 26 kN/m3. It is a typical value. The average dry unit weight may differ
depending on the mineralogical composition, how closely they are packed, grain size, and grain
shape. However, the typical value is around 26 kN/m3.

So, we will generally not get a Granite rock sample having a dry unit weight of 20 kN/m3. It will
be around 26 kN/m3. Similarly, Basalt has a slightly higher unit weight, i.e., 27.1. Now, we can
see that the average dry unit weight of the Marble and Basalt are almost similar, i.e., 27.
However, we can see that Diorite has a relatively little higher average dry unit weight, i.e., 27.9.

Nevertheless, what we can notice over here is that the dry unit of Gabbro is 29.4. It is relatively
high compared to others, whereas the dry unit weight of Rhyolite is quite less (23.2 kN/m3) than
Granite or Gabbro. So, these are just some of the representative values.
(Refer Slide Time: 32:30)

So, thank you. So, today we have learned mainly the physical properties of rock. We will
continue with the same physical properties of rock in our next lecture. Thank you.