Investigation of the relationship between L-type

and N-type Schmidt hammer hardness values of

rocks and the effect of Schmidt hammer type on
the prediction of uniaxial compressive strength
Deniz AKBAY - Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University
Gökhan EKİNCİOĞLU - Ahi Evran University

Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,

2021
 Outline
Introduction

Aim of the study

Material and method

Findings

Conclusions

Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,

 Introduction
• Determining the material properties of the rock in engineering applications that
are intertwined with the rock is very important for the feasibility and
sustainability of the project.

Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,

Ahi Evran Uluslararası Bilimsel Araştırmalar Kongresi 30 Kasım - 1-2
 Introduction
• Strength parameters such as uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and tensile
strength (TS) of rocks are important design parameters taken into account by
project engineers in the construction and stability of the structure.

According to ISRM 2007;

Sample length/diameter (L/D) ratio 2.5-3.0

Diameter commonly NX (54.7mm)

Sample length/diameter (L/D) ratio 2.5-3.0

Diameter >54.7mm

Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,

 Introduction
• However, it is difficult to core or prepare test specimens in required dimensions
from weak or highly weathered and thin layered rocks.

Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,

 Introduction
• In such cases, index properties of rocks can be determined with index methods
that are easy to apply, give fast results, do not require sample preparation or can
be applied to small samples.
• By means of empirical equations, mechanical properties such as uniaxial
compressive strength and tensile strength required in the design can be
estimated.
• In the literature, there are many empirical equations developed especially for the
indirect estimation of UCS.
• In these studies, the mostly the relationships between UCS and point load
strength (PLI), Schmidt hammer hardness (SH), porosity and density were
investigated.

Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,

 Introduction
• Even in the point loading
strength test, the dimensions of
the test samples are required to
be within certain ratios and
limits.

Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,

 Introduction
Schmidt hammer, on the other hand, has a widespread usage area with its
feature of being applicable both in the laboratory and in the field without the need
for sample preparation.

Schmidt hammer hardness is used in many disciplines, especially mining and

construction..

Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,

 Schmidt Hammer Hardness
• The Schmidt hammer consists of a compressed spring
and a piston.
• When the hammer is pressed against the surface of a
test material, the spring is released and, together
with the piston, strikes the surface of the test
material.
• Depending on the strength of the test material, the
piston backfires.
• The recoil distance is proportional to the total energy
absorbed by the impact surface.
• The recoil distance of the piston is read directly from
a numerical scale on the instrument and is expressed
as the Schmidt hammer recoil hardness.

Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,

 Schmidt Hammer Hardness

Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,

 Schmidt Hammer Hardness
• In the method proposed by ISRM (2007) for measurement, measurements are
made from 20 different points with a distance of at least one piston diameter
from the material whose hardness value will be determined. The lowest 10 of
these 20 measurements are discarded and the arithmetic average of the
remaining 10 measurements is taken.
• In the method revised by Aydin (2009), the steps suggested by ISRM (2007) are
followed. At the same time, the test can be terminated when the difference
between the lowest and the highest value is four (±2 SH) in any ten consecutive
measurements.
• With the aid of a chart developed by Deere and Miller (1966), the UCS of the
material can be determined indirectly.

Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,

 Schmidt
Hammer
Hardness
• Chart created by
Deere and Miller
(1966) for the
conversion of SH to
TEBD using an L-type
hammer

Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,

 Aim of the study
• There are Schmidt hammer models designed at different impact energy levels.
Commonly used types are L and N type Schmidt hammers.
• The L-type Schmidt hammer has an impact energy of 0.735 Nm and the N-type
Schmidt hammer has an impact energy of 2.207 Nm.
• Although the L-type hammer is generally used for testing relatively soft rocks, the
strength range of the rocks to be used is researched and discussed.
• The International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM) and the American Society for
Materials and Testing (ASTM) have recommended standards for the test method
and use of the test device. The ISRM suggested that L type hammer be used for
hardness characterization of rocks which has a UCS value ranging from 20 to 150
MPa.
• Since the use of the N-type Schmidt hammer has not been approved by ISRM for
rock characterization, the L-type hammer appears to be applicable to rocks in this
strength range.
Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,
 Aim of the study
• Although there are many studies in the literature examining the relationships
between the hardness values determined by L-type or N-type Schmidt hammer
and TEBD, there are few studies examining the relationships and differences
between the hardness values determined using different types of hammers.
• Within the scope of this study, the relationships between Schmidt values
obtained from both Schmidt hammer types, L-type and N-type, of igneous,
metamorphic and sedimentary origin rocks were investigated.
• The relationships between the UCS values of the rocks of three different origins
and both hammer types were statistically demonstrated.

Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,

 Material and method
• Within the scope of this study, hardness measurements were made on seven
different rock types using both L-type and N-type Schmidt hammers.

Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,

 Material and method
• SH values of rocks were determined
according to ISRM (2007), UCS values were
determined according to TS EN 1926
(2013).
• SH tests were carried out on cube samples
of 70×70×70 mm, UCS tests were carried
out on cubes of 50×50×50 mm.

Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,

 Material and method Referans
Aydın ve Basu 2005
Kayaç kökeni Veri adedi
Magmatik 40
Magmatik 6
• In the literature, data compiled Buyuksagis ve Goktan 2007 Metamorfik 8
from studies containing L-type Sedimanter 13
SH, N-type SH and UCS values Magmatik 13
Capik ve Yılmaz 2017
were evaluated together with the Sedimanter 14
data obtained from this study. Ekincioğlu 2008
Magmatik 1
Sedimanter 6
Metamorfik 1
Güney vd. 2005
Sedimanter 6
Magmatik 41
Kayabali ve Selcuk 2009 Metamorfik 2
Sedimanter 22
Magmatik 3
Şengün 2009 Metamorfik 3
Sedimanter 9
Magmatik 3
Bu çalışma Metamorfik 1
Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December
Sedimanter 3 1-2,
 Findings
• Within the scope of the study, a total of 195 data were analyzed for each test.
• It was determined that the SH values were approximately close to each other,
and the SH values for both hammer types were relatively high in metamorphic
rocks, followed by igneous and sedimentary rocks, respectively.
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Ort. Std.Sap. Ort. Std.Sap.
SHL SHN
Magmatik Metamorfik Sedimanter
Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,
 Findings
• Among the evaluated igneous rocks, it is seen that the rocks with low hardness
value such as tuff decrease the average hardness value.
• At the same time, such igneous rocks caused the standard deviation value to be
large.
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Ort. Std.Sap. Ort. Std.Sap.
SHL SHN
Magmatik Metamorfik Sedimanter
Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,
 Findings
• Standard deviation values were calculated as the lowest for metamorphic rocks
with a homogeneous structure and high hardness value.

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Ort. Std.Sap. Ort. Std.Sap.
SHL SHN
Magmatik Metamorfik Sedimanter
Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,
 Findings
• It is seen that SHN values are higher than SHL values.
• It is possible to say that the SHN values are higher due to the impact energy
transmitted by the N type hammer, which has a higher impact energy than the L
type hammer, to the rock surface during the measurement, increasing the
rebound distance. 60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Ort. Std.Sap. Ort. Std.Sap.
SHL SHN
Magmatik Metamorfik Sedimanter
Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,
 Findings
All rocks Magmatic
90 90
75 75
f(x) = 1.10950260363449 x + 1.56919536019316
60 f(x) = 1.05367448815249 x + 3.60002603137924 60 R² = 0.918156444994122
R² = 0.885804831772348
45 45

SHN
SHN 30 30
15 15
0 0
0 15 30 45 60 75 0 15 30 45 60 75
SHL SHL

Metamorphic Sedimentary
75 90
60 75
45f(x) = 0.770532222411154 x + 17.6673235844244 60 f(x) = 0.938139131762086 x + 7.422410023864
R² = 0.656680693749169 45 R² = 0.834482297630929
SHN

SHN
30 30
15 15
0 0
30 45 60 75 0 15 30 45 60 75
SHL SHL

Relationships between SH values of rocks obtained by using L-type and N-type hammer
Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,
 Findings
All rocks Magmatic
300 300
250 250
200 200

TEBD - MPa
TEBD- MPa
150 150
100f(x) = 2.90693273640154 x − 56.3248339427592 100f(x) = 3.10644916500828 x − 67.3946308458307
50R² = 0.598686104294391 50R² = 0.64465586153593
0 0
0 15 30 45 60 75 0 15 30 45 60 75
SHL SHL

Metamorphic Sedimentary
150 300
125 250
100 200

TEBD - MPa
TEB - MPa

75 150
50 f(x) = 1.40700251967043 x + 1.46125773291494 100f(x) = 2.62603877909096 x − 39.6120224564939
R² = 0.231576587977197
25 50R² = 0.540771539037615
0 0
30 45 60 75 0 15 30 45 60 75
SHL SHL

Relationship between SH values and TEBD values of rocks obtained by using L-type hammer
Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,
 Findings
All rocks Magmatic
300 300
250 250
200 200

TEBD- MPa

TEBD -MPa
150 150
f(x) = 2.63464946785876 x − 60.377241637703
100 100f(x) = 2.71632018768988 x − 67.7590724842341
R² = 0.616381763849009 R² = 0.660847605443106
50 50
0 0
0 15 30 45 60 75 0 15 30 45 60 75
SHN SHN

Metamorphic Sedimentary
150 300
125 250
100 200

TEBD - MPa
TEB -MPa

75 f(x) = 2.49965942081021 x − 65.1419706062378 150

50 R² = 0.660836377599245 100f(x) = 2.60136663364925 x − 51.4307864044878
25 50R² = 0.559670044364334
0 0
30 45 60 75 0 15 30 45 60 75
SHN SHN

Relationship between SH values and TEBD values of rocks obtained by using N-type hammer
Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,
 Conclusions
• In the light of the results obtained, it has been seen that both hammer types can be
used to measure the surface hardness of rocks.
• It is thought that the results obtained in necessary situations can be converted to
each other with the help of the equations set forth in this study.
• SHN values were determined higher due to the higher impact energy of the N type
hammer than the L type hammer.
• It was determined that the correlation coefficients of the relations between the SHN
values, in other words, the values obtained by using the N-type hammer and the
TEBD were higher.
• Although data obtained from many rock types were used in this study, it is thought
that the data on metamorphic rocks should be increased in order to make healthier
interpretations and to obtain results.

Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 - December 1-2,

 Thank you for your attention…

Ahi Evran International Conference on Scientific Research November 30 -

December 1-2, 2021
Kırsehir Ahi Evran University