--- -~ ~ - - .- - -- - .

Deformation modulus 47

Table 3.1 Typical elastic constants for intact rock

Rock type Yoitng's Poisson's Reference

modLtlus ratio
GPa (p.s. i. x 106)

Andesite, Nevada 37.0 (5.5) 0.23 Brandon (1974)

Argillite, Alaska 68.0 (9.9) 0.22 Brandon (1974)
Basalt, Brazil 61.0 (8.8) 0.19 Ruiz (1966)
Chalk, USA 2 .80 (0.4) Underwood (1961)
Chert, Canada 95.2 (13.8) 0.22 Herget (1973)
Claystone, Canada 0.26 (0.04) Brandon (1974)
Coal, USA 3.45 (0.5) 0.42 Ko and Geistle (1976)
Diabase, Michigan 68.9 (10) 0.25 Wuerker (1956)
Dolomite, USA 51.7 (7.5) 0.29 Haimson and Fairhurst (1969)
Gneiss, Brazil 79.9 (11 .6) 0.24 Ruiz (1966)
Granite, California 58.6 (8.5) 0.26 Michalopoulos and Triandafilidis (1976)
Limesto ne, USSR 53.9 (8.5) 0.32 Belikov (1967)
Salt, Ohio 28.5 (4 .1) 0.22 Sellers (1970)
Sandstone, Germany 29.9 (4.3) 0.31 van der Vlis (1970)
Shale, Japan 21.9 (3.2) 0.38 Kitahra et al. (1974) '" ''I ·~·
. .I
Siltstone, Michigan . 53.0 (7. 7) 0.09 Parker and Scott (1964)
111111
I • 1 II I

!U 1:: ;',
'· '
!,'

Tuff, Nevada 3.45 (0.5) 0.24 Cording (1967) wrn 1

:

,,..
1•1111

it•II
"U
,1:!
Table 3.1 shows the results of uniaxial compres- formation that occurs on removal of the load. I'
II o

sion tests carried out to determine the elastic
constants on a variety of rock types (Lama and
Vutukuri, 1978 a and b).
3.2.2 Stress-strain behaviour of
:tactured rock
The typical load-deformation behaviour of two
:ock masses subjected to cyclic loading is shown
:J Fig. 3.4. Figure 3.4(a) show the results of a
?late load test carried out on massive gneiss with
1n average compressive strength of 110 MPa
16 000 p.s.i.) from the Churchill Falls project in
Quebec, Canada (Benson, 1970). Figure 3.4(b)
show the results of Goodman jack tests carried
out in sandstone with a compressive strength of
about 4 MPa (580 p.s.i.) on the Peace River in
-~Jberta, Canada (Saint Simon, Solymor and
Th.ompson, 1979).
The pertinent features of the series of stress-
deformation curves show11 in Fig. 3.4 are, first,
:he increase in gradient of the curve with each
:oad increment and, second, the permanent de-
With each load cycle at a progressively higher
stress, the modulus increases as indicated by the
increase in gradient of the stress-strain curves.
The increase is the rest1lt of closure of fractures in
the rock mass and is more noted in the case of the
relatively larger volume of rock ii1 the plate load
test. These fractures may be both natural fractures
and those opened by the blasting in preparing
the site. These conditions should be carefully
evaluated and related to the likely foundation
conditions of the structure where the rock n1ay be
either more or less stress relieved depending on
such factors as the method of preparation of the
bearing surface, and whether geological condi-
tions at the test site are representative of the
overall foundation.
For a distinctly non-linear stress- strain re-
lationship, the modulus is defined by eitl1er the
tangent or the secant to the curve, at the stress
level .to which the rock in the fo undation is likely
to be subjected. The modulus used in design
would normally be the lower value to ensure that
the likely settlement is not underestimated. Since