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Deformability characteristics of quarried rockfill material

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 128 International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Volume 04, No 06 SPL, October 2011, pp. 128-131

Deformability characteristics of quarried rockfill material

N. P. Honkanadavar
Scientist “C”, Central Soil and Materials Research Station, New Delhi-110016, E-mail: nphonkanadavar@gmail.com
S. L. Gupta
Scientist “E” I/c, Central Soil & Materials Research Station, New Delhi-110016, India. E-mail:slgupta@nic.in
Sanjeev Bajaj
Assistant Research Officer, Central Soil & Materials Research Station, New Delhi-110016, India.
E-mail:sbajaj03@nic.in

ABSTRACT: Rockfill materials are being used widely in the construction of rockfill dam to trap river water because of
their inherent flexibility, capacity to absorb large seismic energy and adoptability to various foundation conditions.
Rockfill material is obtained from Pakal Dul Dam site, Jammu and Kashmir. The prototype gradation rockfill material
with the maximum particle size (dmax) of 600 mm is used in the dam. For testing, the prototype gradation material is
scaled down to modeled gradation with dmax of 25, 50 and 80 mm using parallel gradation technique. One Dimensional
Compression (Oedometer) tests are carried out with a specimen size of 1000 mm diameter and 600 mm height with
varying vertical stress (σ1) from 0.637 to 3.82 MPa. All the dmax are tested for 87% relative density (RD).
Stress-strain behaviour of the modeled rockfill material is studied and presented. It is observed that the stress-strain
behaviour is nonlinear and inelastic. The elastic modulus, E were determined for all the dmax and observed that the E
increases with increase in maximum particle size. The coefficient of earth pressure increases with decrease in particle
size. From the study, it is observed that the void ratio decreases with increase in major principal stress and it increases
with decrease in maximum particle size. The permeability of the rockfill material increases with decrease in dmax. Particle
breakage analyses were carried out before and after the tests and it is observed that the breakage factor increases with
increase in maximum particle size.

INTRODUCTION
Rockfill material consists of coarse gravel, cobbles and
boulders obtained either by blasting the parent rock quarry
or from the natural riverbed. Rockfill materials are widely
being used all over the world in the construction of rockfill
dams for harnessing the water resources. The behaviour of
the rockfill materials is of considerable importance for the
analysis and safe design of these rockfill dams.
Rockfill materials consist of maximum particle size (dmax)
up to 1200 mm. Rockfill material with such a large
particle size is not feasible to test in the laboratory. Some
kind of modelling technique is often used to reduce the
size of particles so that the specimens prepared with
smaller size particles can be tested. Among all modeling
techniques, the parallel gradation technique (Lowe 1964)
is most commonly used. The behaviour of the quarried
rockfill material has been reported by number of
researchers. Marsal (1967), Marachi et al. (1969),
Venkatachalam (1993) and CSMRS (2005, 2006, 2009a,
2010) have performed laboratory tests on quarried rockfill
materials collected from different river valley projects
from India and abroad. They concluded that stress-strain
behaviour is non-linear and inelastic.
The material parameters of modeled rockfill materials
obtained from the tests are generally used to get the
parameters for the large prototype rockfill materials by
extrapolation. Venkatachalam (1993) tested quarried
rockfill materials collected from different hydropower
projects site in India and studied mechanical behaviour.
He developed some empirical relationships to determine
the parameter of modeled rockfill materials viz. coefficient
of earth pressure at rest, Ko Void’s ratio, e elastic modulus,
E and Poisson’s ratio, µ with respect to maximum particle
size, dmax.
This paper deals with the testing of the quarried rockfill
materials obtained from a rock quarry from Pakal Dul
Dam site, Jammu & Kashmir. One dimensional
compression tests (Oedometer) were carried out for 25, 50
and 80 mm maximum particle sizes with a specimen size
of 600 mm height and 1000 mm diameter. All the tests
were carried out for 87% relative density to evaluate
deformability characteristics of these materials. Evaluated
the elastic modulus, coefficient of earth pressure,
Poisson’s ratio and coefficient of permeability and
predicted these parameters to the prototype rockfill
materials with respect to dmax. The breakage factor analysis
is also carried out for all the tested specimens and
observed that the breakage factor increases with increase
in maximum particle size.
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS AND
DISCUSSION
Material Used
To carry out laboratory investigations, rockfill material
from a rock quarry of Pakal Dul dam site, Jammu &
Kashmir has been considered. The project envisages the
construction of 167 m high Concrete Faced Rockfill Dam
(CFRD) with an installed capacity of 1000 MW. The rock
type is quartzite. Structurally the area has been subjected
to intense folding and faulting as a part of Himalayan
orogenesis.
The dmax proposed in the construction of the Pakal Dul
dam is 600 mm. The material has been modeled to three
dmax (25, 50 and 80 mm) using parallel gradation technique
as shown in Fig. 1 to carry out one dimensional
compression (Oedometer) tests with specimen size of 1000
mm diameter and 600 mm height.

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 Deformability characteristics of quarried rockfill material 129

Modeled 80 mm
plots it is observed that the coefficient of earth pressure,
K0 increases with decrease in dmax.
From the stress-strain curves (Fig.2), the elasticity of
modulus, E is determined for all the dmax using following
Modeled 50 mm
relationships.
ε1 = (1/m). (1/a). (σ1/ Pa)a (1)
where, m is modulus number, a is the modulus of exponent,
Modeled 25 mm Pa is the atmospheric pressure and σ1 is the major principal
stress.
M = m Pa (σ1/ Pa)(1-a) (2)
E = {(1 + µ )(1 − 2 µ )} M (3)
(1 − µ )
Prototype 600 mm  K0  (4)
µ =  
 (1 +K 0 )

Fig.1: Prototype and Modeled Grain Size Distribution

Curves

Experimental Programme
Relative Density Test
A mould size of 280 mm diameter and 244 mm height with a
volume of 15000 cc has been used for arriving at the
maximum and minimum dry density values of the modeled
blasted rockfill materials. A standard vibratory table of 750
mm x 750 mm size fitted with a vibrator and motor to create
vertical vibration at the rate of 60 cycles per second has been
used for arriving at the maximum dry density value. Using Fig. 2: Relation between Axial Strain and Major
maximum and minimum dry densities, the dry density at Principal Stress
which the specimen is to be packed is determined for all the
dmax corresponding to 87% relative density. The packing
density varies from 2.01 to 2.06 gm/cc. The specific gravity
of the material is also determined and its value is 2.67.

One Dimensional Compression (Oedometer) Test

One dimensional compression (Oedometer) tests have
been conducted on the modeled rockfill materials with the
vertical pressure varying from 0.637 to 3.82 MPa for 87%
RD at Central Soil and Materials Research Station
(CSMRS), New Delhi. In the one dimensional
compression test, the vertical displacement is allowed
where as the lateral displacement is restricted. Fig. 3: Relation between Major (σ1) and Minor (σ3)
Principal stress for 25 mm dmax
The vertical stress-strain behaviour of modeled rockfill
material for 87% RD has been presented in Fig. 2. From where,
the stress-strain plots, it is observed that the behaviour is µ = Poisson’s Ratio
non-linear and inelastic. The vertical strain at failure Ko = Co-efficient of earth pressure at
decreases with increases in maximum particle size. The rest, (σ3 /σ1)
recoverable elastic strain reduces with increase in dmax.
Plots were drawn between major principal stress and
The major (σ1) and Minor (σ3) principal stress plots were elastic modulus (E) (Fig.4). From the plots, it is observed
drawn for all the dmax and the coefficient of earth pressure that the elastic modulus increases with increase in σ1 and
(σ3/σ1) at rest was determined. The typical plot between σ1 dmax.
v/s σ3 for the 25 mm dmax is shown in Fig. 3. From the

International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering

ISSN 0974-5904, Volume 04, No 06 SPL, October 2011, pp. 128-131
 130 N. P. Honkanadavar, S. L. Gupta, Sanjeev Bajaj
Fig.4: Relation between Major Principal Stress v/s Elastic
Modulus, E
Analyses were carried out for variation of voids ratio, e
and major principal stress, σ1 with the dmax. From the
analyses, it is observed that the void ratio increases with
decrease in dmax and it decreases with increase in major
principal stress (Fig. 5).
The permeability of each dmax is determined at the end of
each vertical stress using constant head permeability setup
fitted to the Oedometer equipment. Effect of voids ratio
and dmax with the coefficient of permeability has also been
studied (Fig. 6). From the figure it is observed that the
coefficient of permeability increases with increase in void
ratio and decrease in dmax.
Fig.5: Variation between Major Principal Stress,
Voids Ratio and dmax
Fig.6: Variation between Coefficients of
Permeability, Voids Ratio and dmax
International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Volume 04, No 06 SPL, October 2011, pp. 128-131
From the one dimensional compression tests, it has been
observed that the particles break under load. Pre-and post-
tests grain size distribution curves are plotted for
quantifying the breakage. The breakage is quantitatively
expressed as breakage factor, Bg as proposed by Marshal
(1965). The variation of breakage factor v/s maximum
particle size is plotted for all the dmax (Fig. 7). From the
analysis it is observed that the Bg increases with increases
in dmax. The Bg varies from 7.6% to 12.2 % for dmax from
25 to 80 mm dmax.
Fig. 7: Variation Between Maximum Particle Size (dmax)
and Breakage Factor (Bg)
CONCLUSIONS
The quarried modeled rockfill material from Pakal Dul
dam site, Jammu & Kashmir has been considered in the
present laboratory investigations. Field investigations were
carried out and derived that average prototype gradation
curve. Based on the average prototype gradation curve,
modeled gradation curves were derived using parallel
gradation curves with dmax of 25, 50 and 80 mm. These
modeled materials were collected and tested in the
laboratory under one dimensional compression
(Oedometer) test for different vertical pressures varying
from 0.637 to 3.82 MPa and 87% RD.
Relative density tests were carried out to determine the
minimum and maximum dry densities. The specimen
packing density is determined for all the dmax using
maximum and minimum densities for 87% relative
density. The specific gravity tests were also conducted and
determined the specific gravity as 2.67. Laboratory tests
are carried out for saturated specimen of size 1000 mm
diameter and 600 mm under one dimensional compression
test and determined the coefficient of earth pressure,
elastic modulus, voids ratio, coefficient of permeability
and breakage factor for the modeled rockfill materials.
Based on the material parameters of laboratory test results,
material parameters for prototype rockfill materials were
predicted using power law extrapolation technique. From
the test results, it is observed that the coefficient of earth
pressure increases with decrease in dmax. The elastic
modulus increases with increase in s1 and dmax. The voids
ratio and coefficient of permeability increases with
decrease in dmax. From the breakage factor analysis, it is
observed that it increases with increase in dmax.
 Deformability characteristics of quarried rockfill material 131

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT [4] CSMRS (2010), “Report on Large size

The authors wish to thank Shri Murari Ratnam, Director,
CSMRS, New Delhi for his support and encouragement
during the testing work. Thanks are also to the staff of
rockfill division, CSMRS for their help in conducting the
laboratory tests.
REFERENCES
[1] CSMRS (2005), “Report on Large size
Oedometer test on Khan-E-Majnu Shoal Area
Rockfill Material of Salma Dam Project,
Afghanistan.
[2] CSMRS (2006), “Report on Large size
Oedometer test on blasted Limestone quarry
rockfill Material of Kol Dam Project, Himachal
Pradesh.
[3] CSMRS (2009a), “Report on Large size
Oedometer test on blasted quartzite quarry
rockfill Material of Pakal Dul Dam Project,
Jammu & Kashmir.
Oedometer test on Rockfill Material of Renukaji
Dam Project, Himachal Pradesh.
[5] Honkanadavar, N.P. (2010), “Testing and
Modeling the Behaviour of Modeled and
Prototype Rockfill Materials”, Ph.D. Thesis,
I.I.T.Delhi.
[6] Marachi, N.D., Chan, C.K., Seed, H.B. and
Duncan, J.M. (1969), “Strength and Deformation
Characteristics of Rockfill Materials”. Report No.
TE. 69(5), Civil Engineering Department,
University of California, Berkeley, USA.
[7] Marsal, R.J. (1965), “Discussion”, Proc., 6th Int.
Conf. On Soil Mech. and Foundation
Engineering, Vol. 3, pp. 310-316.
[8] Marsal, R.J. (1967), “Large Scale Testing of
Rockfill Materials”, J. of Soil Mech. And
Foundations Division, ASCE, 93(2), pp. 27-43.
[9] Venkatachalam, K. (1993), “Prediction of
Mechanical Behaviour of Rockfill Materials”,
Ph.D. Thesis, I.I.T. Delhi.

International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering

ISSN 0974-5904, Volume 04, No 06 SPL, October 2011, pp. 128-131

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