The effect of water saturation on the strength of marbles

Abstract

Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), Brazilian tensile strength (BTS) and point load strength (Is) of rocks are commonly used for the rock engineering applications. These important rock properties are strongly influenced by the water saturation. In this study, to investigate the effects of water saturation on the strengths of marbles, the UCS, BTS and Is tests were carried out on eight different marble types in the laboratory. The evaluation of results showed that the strength losses due to saturation ranges from 5.0 % to 25.3 % for UCS, from 5.1 % to 20.9 % for BTS, and from 5.6 % to 14.4 % for Is, respectively. The ratios between saturated and dry strength ranges from 74.7 % to 94.9 % for UCS, from 79.1 % to 94.9 % for BTS, and from 85.6 % to 94.4 % for Is, respectively. Linear regression equations between saturated and dry-rock strength values were also derived. The saturated UCS, BTS and Is of marbles can be predicted from the dry UCS, BTS and Is using the developed equations. Keywords: Marbles; Water saturation; Uniaxial compressive strength; Tensile strength; Point load strength. © ISRM International Symposium - 5th Asian Rock Mechanics Symposium 2008, ARMS 2008. All rights reserved.