Arab J Geosci (2016) 9: 568
DOI 10.1007/s12517-016-2542-3
ORIGINAL PAPER
A correlation between P-wave velocity and Schmidt hardness
with mechanical properties of travertine building stones
Amin Jamshidi 1 & Mohammad Reza Nikudel 2 & Mashallah Khamehchiyan 2 &
Reza Zarei Sahamieh 1 & Yasin Abdi 1
Received: 25 April 2015 / Accepted: 3 June 2016 / Published online: 25 July 2016
# Saudi Society for Geosciences 2016
Abstract As known, P-wave velocity and Schmidt hardness
are non-destructive tests, which have been used for many
years in geological, geotechnical, and civil engineering as an
index tests for a quick assessment of rocks mechanical prop-
erties due to its rapidity and easiness, and non-destructiveness.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation be-
tween P-wave velocity and Schmidt hardness with some of
mechanical properties of travertine building stones by empir-
ical equations. Moreover, we have compared the accuracy of
P-wave velocity and Schmidt hardness to estimate the me-
chanical properties of rocks. For this purpose, 15 types of
travertine have been collected from various quarries of Iran
and tested. The tests include the determination of P-wave ve-
locity and Schmidt hardness, and mechanical properties in-
clude the unconfined compressive strength, Brazilian tensile
strength, and point load strength. Using data analysis, empir-
ical equations have been developed for estimating the me-
chanical properties from P-wave velocity and Schmidt hard-
ness. To check the validity of the empirical equations, a t test
was performed, which confirmed the validity of the proposed
empirical equations. Moreover, the results show that P-wave
velocity appears to be more reliable than the Schmidt hardness
for estimating the mechanical properties. Consequently, we
propose empirical equations avoiding from cumbersome and
time consuming tests for determining the mechanical proper-
ties of rocks.
* Mohammad Reza Nikudel
nikudelm@modares.ac.ir
1
Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran
2
Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Keywords P-wave velocity . Schmidt hardness . Mechanical
properties . Empirical equations
Introduction
P-wave velocity (Vp) and Schmidt hardness (HR) tests are
non-destructive and easy to apply, both for site and laboratory
conditions. These tests have been increasingly used world-
wide due to its simplicity and rapidity in execution, portability,
simplicity, low cost, and non-destructiveness. P-wave velocity
and Schmidt hardness tests would be very valuable for at least
the preliminary stage of designing a structure because the
properties mentioned above. Mechanical properties of rocks
are very important in geotechnical engineering projects which
interact with rock such as dams, tunnels, rock slops, and foun-
dation on rock. The determination of mechanical properties
such as unconfined compressive strength (UCS), Brazilian
tensile strength (BTS), and point load strength (IS) is time
consuming, expensive, and involves destructive tests. For this
reason, non-destructive tests such as P-wave velocity and
Schmidt hardness can be used for estimating the mechanical
properties.
Various researchers studied the correlation between sound
velocity and Schmidt hardness UCS, BTS and IS and found
that these are closely related together. Tables 1 and 2 provides
the important correlations that were developed by some re-
searchers between P-wave velocity and Schmidt hardness
with mechanical properties, respectively. Cargill and
Shakoor (1990) obtained a linear relationship between UCS
and HR for carbonate rocks when the rock density was
considered. Bell (1994) reported a relation between BTS and
HR for the anhydrite and gypsum rocks with a regression
coefficient of 0.80. Bell and Lindsay (1999) described a cor-
relation between IS and HR with a regression coefficient 0.69
568 Page 2 of 12 Arab J Geosci (2016) 9: 568

Table 1 Correlation between P-wave velocity and mechanical properties

References Rock type Equation R or R2

Tugrul and Zarif (1999) Igneous rocks UCS = 35.54VP-55 R2 = 0.80

Diamantis et al. (2011) Peridotites UCS = 0.14Vp – 899.33 R2 = 0.83
Kahraman (2001) 48 different rocks UCS = 9.95VP 1.21 R = 0.83
Yasar and Erdogan (2004a) Lime, marble and dolomite UCS = (VP-2.0195)/0.032 R = 0.81
Cobanoglu and Celik (2008) Sandstone, limestone and cement mortar UCS = 56.71VP – 192.93 R2 = 0.67
Kilic and Teymen (2008) Sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous UCS = 2.304VP2.4315 R2 = 0.94
Sharma and Singh (2008) Sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous UCS = 0.0642VP-117.99 R2 = 0.90
Yagiz (2011) Travertine, limestone and schist UCS = 2.304VP3.543 R = 0.92
Sarkar et al. (2012) 13 different rock types UCS = 0.038VP-50 R2 = 0.93
Kilic and Teymen (2008) Sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous BTS = 0.49VP1.8723 R2 = 0.92
Kurtulus et al. (2010) Andesite Is(50) = 0.0018VP - 1.9906 R2 = 0.95
Kurtulus et al. (2012) Serpentinized ultrabasic rocks Is(50) = 0.0042VP – 14.602 R2 = 0.89

Vp P-wave velocity, UCS unconfined compressive strength, BTS Brazilian tensile strength, Is point load strength, R2 Determination coefficient, R
regression coefficient

for sandstones. Kahraman (2001) correlated the UCS of dif-
ferent rock types with V p according to the equation,
UCS = 9.95 VP 1.21. Yilmaz and Sendir (2002), based on
experimental test results on gypsum rock, obtained a strong
relationship (R = 0.91) between UCS and HR. Yasar and
Erdogan (2004b), based on experimental tests on limestone,
sandstone, marble, and basalt, obtained a good statistical
power relation between UCS and HR with a good regression
coefficient of 0.89. Kilic and Teymen (2008) described a cor-
relation among BTS and Vp with a regression coefficient 0.92
for sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks. Yagiz
(2011), based on the results of travertine, limestone, and
schist rocks, developed a very simple and good relationship
between UCS of rocks and Vp. Sarkar et al. (2012) reported a
relation between UCS and Vp for the different rock types with
a good regression coefficient of 0.93. Kurtulus et al. (2012)
found a linear relation between IS and Vp a regression coeffi-
cient 0.89. The correlation has been established only for the
serpentinized ultrabasic rocks.
Although in most of the previous studies, different empirical
equations between P-wave velocity and Schmidt hardness with
mechanical properties have been derived for several decades,
but comparative studies between P-wave velocity and Schmidt
hardness are insufficient to estimate the mechanical properties.

Table 2 Correlation between Schmidt hardness and mechanical properties

References Rock type Equation R or R2

Aufmuth (1973) 25 lithologic types UCS = 6.9 × 10[1.348log(HR×ρ)-1.325] NA

Singh et al. (1983) 30 Sedimentary unit UCS = 2 HR R = 0.72
Haramy and DeMarco (1985) 10 different US locations UCS = 0.994HR − 0.383 R2 = 0.70
Cargill and Shakoor (1990) Carbonate UCS = 1.8 × 10−2 (HR × ρd) + 2.9 NA
Kahraman (2001) 48 different rocks UCS = 6.97e0.014 HR×ρ R = 0.78
Yilmaz and Sendir (2002) Gypsum UCS = exp.(0.818 + 0.059HR) R = 0.98
Yasar and Erdogan (2004b) Limestone, marble, basalt, and sandstone UCS = 4 × 10−6(HR)4.2917 R = 0.89
Kilic and Teymen (2008) Sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous UCS = 0.0137HR 2.2721 R2 = 0.94
Cobanoglu and Celik (2008) Sandstone, limestone and cement mortar UCS = 6.59HR − 212.63 R2 = 0.65
Bell and Lindsay (1999) Sandstones BTS and HR R = 0.58
Bell (1978) Sandstones BTS and HR R = 0.72
Bell (1994) Anhydrite and gypsum BTS and HR R = 0.80
Bell and Lindsay (1999) Sandstones Is and HR R = 0.69
Bell (1978) Sandstones Is and HR R = 0.68
Bell (1994) Anhydrite and gypsum Is and HR R = 0.92

HR Schmidt hardness, UCS unconfined compressive strength, BTS Brazilian tensile strength, IS Point load strength, R2 Determination coefficient, R
Regression coefficient, NA not available
Arab J Geosci (2016) 9: 568
The aims of this study are to provide more insight and to
add more information to the correlation between P-wave ve-
locity and Schmidt hardness with some of mechanical prop-
erties include the unconfined compressive strength, Brazilian
tensile strength, and point load strength of travertine building
stones. Moreover, we have compared the accuracy of P-wave
velocity and Schmidt hardness in estimation of mechanical
properties.
Geological setting and rock sampling
Fifteen different travertines have been collected for this re-
search. All of them are quarried from various quarries in
Iran, Azarshahr, Mahallat, and Firuzkuh areas and generally
commercialized as building stones for cladding and ornamen-
tal materials. Travertine samples are located in the Uromiyeh-
Dokhtar Magmatic Belt and Alborz Mountain and are com-
monly Quaternary or Early Pliocene in age. They mostly crop
out at the vicinities of neotectonic structural features and are
formed by the deposition of rising carbonate solutions through
fissure. Figure 1 shows the location of sampling and some of
the quarries. For each travertine, some blocks that varied from
20 × 35 × 35 cm3 to 30 × 40 × 40 cm3 in size were collected.
The name, type, and the location of the collected samples are
given in Table 3.
46 49 51 54
Azarshahr
0 300km
Fig. 1 The sampling areas on a map of Iran and representative quarries
Page 3 of 12 568
Petrographical properties
For petrographic properties, thin sections from each travertine
type were prepared. An optical polarizing microscope was
employed to determine these properties. To study the relative
mineral contents of the samples, X-ray diffraction (XRD)
analyses were also conducted on samples (Fig. 2). The min-
eralogical analyses have shown that no significant difference
in the composition of travertine types was found. The major
mineral of travertines is calcite which predominates with con-
tribution of 98–100 %, while accessory minerals are represent-
ed by aragonite and quartz (0–2 %). The examination of thin
sections has revealed that micro-fabric of travertines is domi-
nated by micritic or microsparitic calcite cement. The sample
structure is dominated by pores, many of which are in the form
of non-connected. The pore geometry of the travertines has
been found to be frequently irregular and varies in shape be-
tween being spherical and irregular, but generally irregular
(Fig. 3). The pore space distribution ranges from being spo-
radic to densely distributed (Fig. 4).
Physical properties
Density (ρ) and porosity (n) are the most important prop-
erties which control the other properties of rock, such as
Firuzkuh
57
33
Mahallat
31
29
27
25
568 Page 4 of 12 Arab J Geosci (2016) 9: 568

Table 3 Name, type, and the

location of the samples under Commercial name Rock type Rock class Rock sampling region Geographical
study coordinates

Azarshahr wavy red Travertine Sedimentary Azarshahr 05 78,835–41 75,768

Azarshahr walnut Travertine Sedimentary Azarshahr 05 82,940–41 77,150
Azarshahr yellow Travertine Sedimentary Azarshahr 05 79,962–41 78,232
Azarshahr silver Travertine Sedimentary Azarshahr 05 75,086–41 72,118
Dastjerd red Onyx travertine Sedimentary Azarshahr 05 79,419–41 77,952
Dastjerd green Onyx travertine Sedimentary Azarshahr 05 79,714–41 78,401
Dastjerd white Onyx travertine Sedimentary Azarshahr 05 78,893–41 75,830
Atashkooh white Travertine Sedimentary Mahallat 05 38,037–39 50,348
Abasabad light cream Travertine Sedimentary Mahallat 04 57,520–37 45,511
Abasabad white Travertine Sedimentary Mahallat 04 57,518–37 45,512
Abyar white Travertine Sedimentary Mahallat 04 58,520–37 45,541
Dareh bokhari cream Travertine Sedimentary Mahallat 05 39,037–39 50,842
Atashkooh cream Travertine Sedimentary Mahallat 04 63,828–37 48,441
Firuzkuh chocolate Travertine Sedimentary Firuzkuh 06 36,414–39 49,491
Firuzkuh cream Travertine Sedimentary Firuzkuh 06 34,361–39 49,023

P-wave velocity, Schmidt hardness unconfined compres-
sive strength, Brazilian tensile strength, and point load
strength. Dry density and effective porosity were deter-
mined using the saturation method in accordance with
ISRM (1981). This method is suitable for travertine in this
study since the stone is not friable and has no swelling
potentials. A bulk volume of a cylindrical specimen was
measured using caliper, and saturated surface-dry mass (af-
ter 48 h of immersion in water) and dry mass (after oven
drying at 105 °C for 48 h and 30 min of cooling) were
obtained. Dry density and effective porosity were calculat-
ed using the following relations, respectively:
MS
ρdry ¼
V destructive tests) and the unconfined compressive strength,
ðM sat− M s Þ=ρw
n¼  100
V
where Ms. is a solid mass of the specimen, Msat is a surface-dry
saturated mass, V is a bulk volume, and ρw is a density of
water.
Five specimens from each stone type were used and
then the mean values were obtained. The results of these
determinations are given in Table 4. Using the tests re-
sults, more samples are classified as stones with moderate
density (2.20–2.55 g/cm3) and low porosity (1–5 %) ac-
cording to the classification suggested by Matula et al.
(1979).
Mechanical properties
To fulfill the aims of the study, the mechanical properties tests
include the P-wave velocity and Schmidt hardness (non-
ð1Þ
Brazilian tensile strength, and point load strength (destructive
ð2Þ tests) were carried out in Geological Engineering laboratory of
Tarbiat Modares University. Five specimens in the form of
cylindrical were used for each stone type in each test. The
average results of the laboratory tests are summarized in
Table 4. The details of the each test are given below.

Fig. 2 a The typical thin section

image for representative
a b
travertine used in this study. b Pore
XRD pattern graph of
representative travertine (Ca
calcite, Q quartz)
Pores filled with calcite
Micritic cement

0.02mm
Arab J Geosci (2016) 9: 568
Fig. 3 Photograph of the tested
representative travertine showing
a b
the variation in the pore space
shape: a spherical; b irregular
Pore
0.08mm
Non-destructive tests
P-wave velocity The P-wave velocity was determined on the
cylindrical core specimens according to the method suggested
by the ISRM (1981) (Fig. 5a). ISRM (1981) recommended the
minimum lateral dimension be not less than ten times the
wave length, while ASTM (1983) recommendation D2845
stipulates five times the wave length. The PUNDIT 6 Pulse
Generator Unite controls made by company and two transduc-
ers, which having a frequency of 1 MHz was used in this
study. In this study, the diameter and the length of specimen
are 38 and 76 mm, respectively, which would be acceptable
for ASTM (1983).
With the help of a polishing and lapping machine, the ends
of the specimens were made flat and perpendicular to the axis
of the specimens and their sides were smoothed and polished.
Then end surfaces of the core specimens covered with stiffer
grease to provide a good coupling between the transducer face
and the specimen surface to maximize accuracy of the transit
time measurement. The P-wave velocity through the specimen
was calculated from the travel time from the generator to a
receiver at the opposite end.
Schmidt hardness The Schmidt hardness test was performed
with N-type hammer having impact energy of 2.207 Nm ac-
cording to ISRM (1981). All tests were made with the hammer
held vertically downwards and at right angle to horizontal
faces of core specimens in a steel V-block having a weight
of approximate 23 kg, defined by ISRM (1981) (Fig. 5b). The
Fig. 4 Photograph of the tested
representative travertine showing
a b
the pore space distribution: a
sporadic; b intensity distributed
Pore
0.08mm
Page 5 of 12 568
Pore
0.08mm
20 rebound values from single impacts separated by at least a
plunger diameter were recorded and averaged the upper ten
values was as rebound number. Hammer readings were deter-
mined on specimens with a diameter 54 mm. In should be
noted that each specimen was inspected for macroscopic de-
fects to eliminate any anisotropy effects on the measurement.
Destructive tests
Unconfined compressive strength The unconfined compres-
sive strength is one of the most fundamental geomechanical
properties that is determined for application in engineering
purposes such as slope stability, construction of dams, em-
bankment, tunnels, and other structures (Sarkar and Singh
2008; Singh et al. 2011).
In this study, all core specimens used for P-wave velocity
measurement were also used in the determination of uncon-
fined compressive strength in accordance with ISRM (1981)
(Fig 6). Unconfined compressive tests were applied on core
specimens, which had a diameter of 38 mm and a length
diameter-thickness ratio of 2. The ends of the core specimens
were flattened within 0.02 mm and were kept perpendicular
within 0.05 mm so that loads could be applied uniformly. The
stress rate was kept at 0.5 MPa/s.
Brazilian tensile strength The Brazilian tensile strength test
procedure was followed in accordance with ISRM (1981)
(Fig 7a). This test conducted on core specimens having a
diameter of 38 mm and a diameter-thickness ratio of ~2. The
Pore
0.08mm
568 Page 6 of 12 Arab J Geosci (2016) 9: 568

Table 4 The physical and mechanical properties of the samples under study

Sample code Commercial name ρd (g/cm3) ρsat (g/cm3) n (%) VP (m/s) HR (N) UCS (MPa) BTS (MPa) *IS(50) (MPa)

A1 Azarshahr wavy red 2.48 (0.031)** 2.55 (0.013) 7.41 (0.137) 3950 (173) 33 (3) 33.6 (7.3) 3.89 (0.67) 3.59 (0.71)
A2 Azarshahr walnut 2.55 (0.017) 2.58 (0.008) 3.10 (0.054) 4901 (221) 45 (2) 60.7 (6.2) 5.87 (1.01) 4.72 (0.65)
A3 Azarshahr yellow 2.51 (0.047) 2.55 (0.032) 4.65 (0.231) 4290 (194) 37 (4) 42.5 (7.8) 4.47 (0.22) 3.62 (0.33)
A4 Azarshahr silver 2.46 (0.037) 2.49 (0.044) 3.17 (0.103) 4930 (95) 41(3) 55.5 (8.8) 5.71 (0.93) 4.73 (1.01)
A5 Dastjerd red 2.66 (0.054) 2.67 (0.035) 1.77 (0.151) 5260 (123) 49 (5) 65.7 (4.5) 6.17 (0.45) 5.30 (0.78)
A6 Dastjerd green 2.69 (0.032) 2.70 (0.021) 0.54 (0.055) 5310 (322) 47 (4) 64.5 (9.1) 5.95 (0.76) 5.21 (1.00)
A7 Dastjerd white 2.72 (0.019) 2.73 (0.024) 1.39 (0.286) 5450 (262) 46 (4 62.4 (3.9) 6.42 (0.98) 5.37 (0.86)
M8 Atashkooh white 2.47 (0.065) 2.52 (0.045) 4.20 (0.165) 4600 (198) 38 (2) 49.3 (11.1) 4.88 (1.00) 4.20 (0.16)
M9 Abasabad light cream 2.43 (0.032) 2.48 (0.038) 4.86 (0.161) 4150 (76) 41 (5) 41.3 (7.9) 4.32 (0.38) 3.64 (0.46)
M10 Abasabad white 2.42 (0.011) 2.46 (0.029) 4.53 (0.289) 4410 (245) 36 (3) 43.7 (6.0) 4.39 (0.82) 4.17 (0.38)
M11 Abyar white 2.41 (0.057) 2.45 (0.066) 3.58 (0.214) 4690 (165) 37 (6) 51.4 (4.5) 5.33 (0.28) 4.66 (0.99)
M12 Dareh bokhari cream 2.38 (0.048) 2.44 (0.039) 6.40 (0.190) 4135 (108) 36 (2) 37.4 (7.3) 3.71 (0.90) 3.30 (0.23)
M13 Atashkooh cream 2.46 (0.044) 2.50 (0.049) 4.20 (0.478) 4510 (312) 39 (4) 45.7 (8.0) 4.69 (0.37) 4.00 (1.10)
F14 Firuzkuh chocolate 2.38 (0.051) 2.41 (0.073) 3.00 (0.264) 5010 (201) 44 (6) 59.9 (3.6) 5.90 (0.89) 5.11 (0.20)
F15 Firuzkuh cream 2.34 (0.029) 2.40 (0.052) 4.10 (0.194) 4470 (119) 37 (3) 50.7 (5.9) 5.21 (1.08) 4.40 (0.93)

*Point load strength corrected to a specimen diameter of 50 mm

**Data in brackets are Standard deviation

tensile load on the specimen was applied continuously at a

constant stress rate 0.1 MPa/s such that failure took place
a within 2 min of loading (Fig 7c).

Point load strength The point load test has often been report-
ed as an indirect measure of the compressive or tensile
strength of rock (Andrea et al. 1964; Bieniawski 1975;
Broch and Franklin 1972; Reichmuth 1968). This test has
been used widely in practice due to its testing ease, simplicity
of specimen preparation and field applications.
In this study, only axial point load tests were performed on
b the cylindrical specimens a diameter of 38 mm and a diameter-
thickness of ~2 according to ISRM (1981) (Fig 7 b,c). The
point load strength (Is(50)) (referred to a standard size of
50 mm) values are listed in Table 4.

Statistical analysis of the tests results

One of the most common accepted methods of investigating

Fig. 5 a The P-wave velocity testing equipment. b The Schmidt hammer
(N-type) testing equipment
empirical relationships between rock properties such as me-
chanical properties is regression analyses. In this study, we
have used from the simple regression analysis for estimating
the destructive mechanical properties of samples (UCS, BTS,
and IS) using non-destructive mechanical properties (VP and
HR). The data presented in Table 4 is used for the analyses. In
order to investigate the correlation between non-destructive
and destructive mechanical properties of samples, linear
(y = ax + b), nonlinear (y = axb), exponential (y = aex), and
logarithmic (y = a + ln x) regression analyses were undertak-
en. Authors attempted to develop best correlation between
different variables to attain the most reliable empirical
equation.
Arab J Geosci (2016) 9: 568 Page 7 of 12 568

Fig. 6 a The unconfined

compressive strength test setup. b
a b
The core specimens used for test

Correlation between UCS with VP and HR
In Fig. 8, the correlation of UCS with VP and HR is presented for
samples. It can be seen from the figure that, in both cases, the
best-fitted correlations were found to be represented by
logarithmic regression curves. Good logarithmic relationships
were obtained especially between UCS and VP with the determi-
nation coefficient of 0.945. The equation for the relationship is:
UCS ¼ 101:1lnðVP Þ–802:8 R2 ¼ 0:945 ð3Þ

Fig. 7 a The Brazilian tensile

strength testing equipment. b The
a b
point load strength testing
equipment. c Failures of some
specimens after tests

c
568 Page 8 of 12 Arab J Geosci (2016) 9: 568

a a
70.0 7.00
Unconfined compressive strength (MPa)

y = 101.1ln(x) - 802.8 A5 y = 8.44ln(x) - 66.2

65.0 A6 6.50 A7
R² = 0.945 R² = 0.926

Brazilian tensile strength (MPa)

A7 A5
A2 F14
60.0 6.00 A2 F14
A6

55.0 A4
A4 5.50 M11
M11 F15
F15
50.0 5.00
M8
M8
M13 A3 M13
45.0 A3 4.50 M9
M9 M10 M10
40.0 4.00 A1
M12
M12
35.0 A1 3.50

30.0 3.00
3500 3800 4100 4400 4700 5000 5300 5600 5900 3500 3800 4100 4400 4700 5000 5300 5600 5900
P–wave velocity (m/s) P–wave velocity (m/s)
b b
70.0
7.00
Unconfined compressive strength (MPa)

y = 78.59ln(x) - 239.2 A6 A5 y = 6.26ln(x) - 17.99

65.0 A7 A7
R² = 0.810 6.50 R² = 0.722

Brazilian tensile strength (MPa)

F14 A2 A5
60.0 F14 A2
6.00
A4 A4 A6
55.0
M11 5.50 M11
M8 F15
50.0 F15 M8
5.00
M13
M13
45.0 M10 M10
M9
4.50 A3 M9
A3
40.0 A1
4.00
M12
35.0 A1 M12
3.50
30.0
3.00
30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52
30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52
Schmidt hardness (N) Schmidt hardness (N)
Fig. 8 The correlation between UCS with a VP and b HR Fig. 9 The correlation between BTS with a VP and b HR

Similarly, a logarithmic relationship was observed between found to be represented by logarithmic regression curves.
UCS with HR with lower determination coefficient using the The equations for the relationship between BTS with VP and
equation: HR are, respectively:
UCS ¼ 78:59lnðHR Þ–239:2 R2 ¼ 0:810 ð4Þ BTS ¼ 8:44lnðVP Þ–66:2 R2 ¼ 0:926 ð5Þ

According to Equations (3) and (4), VP showed stronger BTS ¼ 6:26lnðHR Þ–17:99 R2 ¼ 0:722 ð6Þ
logarithmic correlation with UCS (R2 = 0.945) when compare
with relationship between UCS and HR (R2 = 0.810). There is a determination coefficient 0.926 between BTS
The literature reports many equations to estimate the UCS and VP, and it is 0.722 between BTS and HR. The comparison
of rocks using the VP and HR, which give the various relation- of determination coefficient showed that the correlation be-
ships (linear and nonlinear). The some of these equations are tween BTS and VP is the most reliable for estimating BTS
listed in Tables 1 and 2. However, in this study as can be seen than correlation between BTS and HR.
from Fig. 8, the logarithmic relationship gives the best corre- The derived correlations in this study were compared with
lation between UCS with VP and HR. those available in the literature. The results of this study are
consistent with the findings (Kilic and Teymen 2008; Bell and
Correlation between BTS with VP and HR Lindsay 1999; Bell 1978, 1994) (Tables 1 and 2). It is worth to
noting that there is a significant difference in determination
The plot of the BTS as a function of the VP and HR is shown in coefficients values of correlations between BTS with VP and
Fig. 9. It can be seen from this figure that with the increase of HR. For instance, Kilic and Teymen (2008) established a pow-
the VP and HR, the BTS is increased. Also, it can be seen that er function to express the relationship between BTS and VP
best-fitted correlations between BTS with VP and HR were with determination coefficient 0.95, whereas Bell and Lindsay
Arab J Geosci (2016) 9: 568 Page 9 of 12 568

(1999) and Bell (1978, 1994) obtained the very lower deter- Bell and Lindsay (1999) and Bell (1978, 1994) reported an
mination coefficient between BTS and HR (determination empirical relationships between IS(50) and HR with determina-
coefficients 0.34, 0.52, and 0.64, respectively). tion coefficients of 0.48, 0.46, and 0.85, respectively.
However, in this study, a correlation coefficient 0.657 was
Correlation between IS(50) with VP and HR found between IS(50) and HR.
As that can from Fig. 10, the correlation between IS(50) and
IS(50) was correlated with the VP and HR as shown in Fig. 10. In VP is less scattered than that between IS(50) and HR. As a result,
this figure, it can be seen that the trend of data shows an increase the determination coefficient between I S(50) and V P
in IS(50) with the increase in the VP and HR. A strong correlation (R2 = 0.925) is very higher than that between IS(50) and HR
(R2 = 0.925) was found between IS(50) and VP as follows: (R2 = 0.657).

ISð50Þ ¼ 6:67lnðVP Þ–51:9 R2 ¼ 0:925 ð7Þ

The validity of the proposed empirical equations
Kurtulus et al. (2010, 2012) reported a linear correlation
between IS(50) and VP, and those found determination coeffi- To investigate the validity of the proposed empirical equa-
cients 0.95 and 0.89, respectively (see Table 1). tions, t test was conducted among the achieved equations
The regression line representing the fit between IS(50) and using the statistical software package of SPSS version 21.0
HR is linear (Fig. 10). The estimated IS(50) using HR values can (2012).
be expressed by the empirical equations:
a
ISð50Þ ¼ 0:116HR –0:269 R2 ¼ 0:657 lim ð8Þ 70.0
x→∞ A7
A6
65.0
A5
a 60.0
6.00 A4 F14
Estimated UCS (MPa)

A2
y = 6.67ln(x) - 51.9 55.0
5.50 R² = 0.925 A7 M11
Point load strength (MPaa)

A5 M8
F14 50.0
A6 M13
5.00 M10
A2 45.0 F15
M11 A4 A3
4.50 F15 M12
40.0
M10 M8 M9
4.00 A1
M13 35.0
A1 M9
A3
3.50 30.0
30.0 35.0 40.0 45.0 50.0 55.0 60.0 65.0 70.0
M12
Measured UCS (MPa)
3.00
3800 4100 4400 4700 5000 5300 5600 5900 b
P–wave velocity (m/s) 70.0

b A5
6.00 65.0
A6
A7
y = 0.116x - 0.269 60.0 A2
5.50 A7
R² = 0.657
Estimated UCS (MPa)

A5 F14
A6
Point load strength (MPa)

F14 55.0
M9 A4
5.00
A4
M11 A2 50.0 M13
M8
4.50 F15
M8 45.0 A3
M10 M12 F15 M11
4.00 M13 M10
40.0
A1 M9
A3
A1
3.50 35.0
M12

3.00 30.0
30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 30.0 35.0 40.0 45.0 50.0 55.0 60.0 65.0 70.0
Schmidt hardness (N) Measured UCS (MPa)
Fig. 10 The correlation between IS(50) with a VP and b HR Fig. 11 Measured UCS versus Estimated UCS from a Eq. 3 and b Eq. 4
568 Page 10 of 12 Arab J Geosci (2016) 9: 568

Table 5 Summarized the

regression analyses results Equation Regression equations Determination t test
number coefficient (R2)
Calculated value Tabulated value

3 UCS = 101.1 ln(VP) − 802.8 0.945 −39.766 ±2.145

4 UCS = 78.59 ln(HR) − 239.2 0.810 −34.505 ±2.145
5 BTS = 8.44 ln(VP) − 66.2 0.926 −39.368 ±2.145
6 BTS = 6.26 ln(HR) − 17.99 0.722 −33.531 ±2.145
7 IS(50) = 6.67 ln(VP) − 51.9 0.925 −39.359 ±2.145
8 IS(50) = 0.116(HR) − 0.269 0.657 −32.848 ±2.145

Vp P-wave velocity, HR Schmidt hardness, UCS unconfined compressive strength, BTS Brazilian tensile strength,
IS point load strength

The significance of the r values can be determined by the t hypothesis. In this test, a 95 % level of confidence was chosen.
test, assuming that both variables are normally distributed and If the computed t value is greater than the tabulated t value, the
the observations are chosen randomly. The test compares the null hypothesis is rejected. This means that r is significant. If
computed t value with a tabulated t value using the null the computed t value is less than the tabulated t value, the null

a a
7.00 6.00

A7
6.50
A6 A7
5.50
A5 A6
6.00
F14 A5
Estimated BTS (MPa)

Estimated IS(50) (MPa)

A2 5.00
5.50 A4 A4 F14
A2
M8 M11
5.00 M13 4.50
M10 M8 M11
F15
M13
4.50 A3 F15
M12 4.00 A3 M10
M9
4.00 M12
A1 M9
3.50
3.50
A1

3.00 3.00
3.00 3.50 4.00 4.50 5.00 5.50 6.00 6.50 7.00 3.00 3.50 4.00 4.50 5.00 5.50 6.00
Measured BTS (MPa) Measured IS(50) (MPa)

b b
7.00 6.00

6.50 A5
5.50 A5
A6
6.00 A2 A7 A6
Estimated IS(50) (MPa)
Estimated BTS (MPa)

F14 5.00 A2 A7
5.50 F14
M9
A4
M13 A4
5.00 4.50 M9
M8 M13
A3
M12 F15 M11 M8
4.50 M10 A3
4.00 M12 F15
M11
M10
4.00 A1

3.50 A1
3.50

3.00 3.00
3.00 3.50 4.00 4.50 5.00 5.50 6.00 6.50 7.00 3.00 3.50 4.00 4.50 5.00 5.50 6.00
Measured BTS (MPa) Measured IS(50) (MPa)
Fig. 12 Measured BTS versus Estimated BTS from a Eq. 5 and b Eq. 6 Fig. 13 Measured IS(50) versus Estimated IS(50) from a Eq. 7 and b Eq. 8
Arab J Geosci (2016) 9: 568
hypothesis is not rejected. In this case, r is not significant.
Since a 95 % confidence level was chosen in this test, a cor-
responding critical t value ±2.145 is obtained from the related
tables. It can be seen from Table 5 which all the computed t
values are greater than the tabulated t values. So, it is conclud-
ed that there are real correlations between the VP and HR with
UCS, BTS, and IS(50) and can be used in the early stages of
rock engineering works.
Although the correlation coefficients of the equations are
between 0.657 and 0.945, it is not identifies the valid model
necessarily. Therefore, for validating the equations, the esti-
mated production values were plotted against the observed
production values in Figs. 11, 12, and 13. The error in the
estimated value is represented by the distance that each data
point has from the 1:1 diagonal line. A point lying on the line
indicates an exact estimation. Since, the points in Figs. 11, 12,
and 13 are scattered uniformly around the diagonal line, it
indicates that proposed empirical equations are good model.
As it is shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 10, the VP and HR tests are
reliable methods for the estimation of the UCS, BTS, and
IS(50) of samples under study. For the VP test, the data points
fall closer to the diagonal line and lower scattered than HR
test. This suggest that the ability to estimate the UCS, BTS,
and IS(50) of samples using the VP test is more reliable than
HR test.
Conclusions
Many studies were performed to investigate the relationship
between mechanical properties and non-destructive test such
as P-wave velocity and Schmidt hardness. Different empirical
equations were derived from these studies with different cor-
relation coefficients.
This study was performed to provide the more investiga-
tion and to add more information to the relationships between
mechanical properties and P-wave velocity and Schmidt
hardness and also comparison the accuracy of P-wave veloc-
ity and Schmidt hardness for estimating the mechanical
properties.
By analyzing the results of laboratory tests, the nonlinear
and linear relationships were expressed by equations derived
from statistical analyses with determination coefficients be-
tween 0.657 and 0.945. Equations were validated by the t test
and results show that P-wave velocity is the more appropriate
and reliable than Schmidt hardness for estimating the mechan-
ical properties.
It must be pointed out that travertines are notoriously var-
iable and heterogeneous in their properties such as mechanical
properties that depending on the nature of its porous media.
As a result, although the equations in this study show good
accuracy, should be used with care on rocks from the same
region and having similar properties.
Page 11 of 12 568
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