FKA.B.PP.03 Ed.

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER II, SESSION 2008/2009

COURSE CODE : SAB 2712/ SAM 3722

COURSE : SAW

PROGRAMME : GEOLOGY AND ROCK MECHANICS

DURATION : 2 HOURS

DATE : APRIL 2009

INSTRUCTION TO CANDIDATES:

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN SECTION A (4 QUESTIONS) AND

SECTION B (2 QUESTIONS).

USE SEPARATE ANSWER BOOKLET FOR EACH SECTION.

WARNING!
Students caught copying/cheating during the examination will be liable for
disciplinary actions and the faculty may recommend the student to be
expelled from the study.

THIS EXAMINATIONS QUESTIONS CONSISTS OF ( 15 ) PRINTED PAGES ONLY

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SECTION A: GEOLOGY

You are required to answer all the questions in SECTION A.

Q1. Sedimentary rocks are formed by the aggregation of almost any solid
particles found on the earth surface. Based on the statement, answer all the
following questions.

a) What is the difference between clastic and non-clastic rock?

(2 marks)

b) Explain on the lithification process that transforms loose sediment to

sedimentary rock.

(2 marks)

c) Size and shape of the grain particles can be used to evaluate the history of
the sedimentary rock? Discuss.

(4 marks)

d) Explain and describe the typical feature of sedimentary rock.

(4 marks)
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Q2. Discontinuities is one of the major factors that can weaken the strength of
rock mass.

a) Describe discontinuities in rock.

(2 marks)

b) How discontinuity spacing can influence excavation works?

(3 marks)

c) Compare the effect of discontinuities on hard and weak rock.

(4 marks)

d) How does discontinuities orientation can be evaluated using the stereonet

projection?
(6 marks)
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Q3. Weathering effects in tropical climate is significant and should be given

sufficient attention in civil engineering works.

a) Why does thick weathering profile exist in tropical climate?

(2 marks)

b) Evaluate the typical weathering profile in limestone area.

(5 marks)

c) Evaluate the factors and issues to be considered when you are designing a
high rise building in a limestone area.
(6 marks)

Q4. The strength of rock material depends on a number of factors.

a) List and describe five (5) factors that influence the rock material strength.
(5 marks)

b) Evaluate the influence of moisture content to the strength of weathered

rock material?
(5 marks)
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SECTION B: ROCK MECHANICS

This section consists of two (2) questions Q1 and Q2, answer all the questions from
this section.

Q1. Specific rock properties dictate its suitability for use as construction materials
or, as part of structure components. The properties are commonly verified
through laboratory tests. However, careful consideration on the use of rock
properties obtained from laboratory test is essential in designing the related
structure in the rock mass. Factors like small-scale and large-scale
discontinuities in rock, degree of weathering and type of loading impose on the
rock mass all requires careful consideration when lab data is used as input
parameters in design.

Answer the following questions

(25 marks).

(a) Based on the nature of load/stress that is likely to act on a rock mass, name
one type of laboratory test (index, indirect or strength test) that is important
to verify the relevant rock properties for the construction activity/structure
listed in Table B1? (Write your answer in column 3 of Table B1)

(5 marks)

(b) UCS of fresh (Grade I) rock sample obtained from lab test is 100 MPa. If
portion of the rock body, where the rock sample is collected, is slightly
weathered to Grade II, calculate the range of UCS values for the weathered
portion of the in situ rock? [Take the range of values of SRF for Grade II
rock is between 0.25 and 1.0 in Fig. B1].
(2 marks)
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(c) With respect to discontinuities in rock mass, explain why strength of rock
material obtained from lab test, such as uniaxial compressive strength
(UCS), is always higher than the mass or in situ strength of the rock?

(3 marks)

(d) Types of discontinuities/weakness planes found in rock depend on mode of

formation of the rock; sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic. For the large-
scale and small-scale discontinuities/ listed in Table B2, indicate (√) in
which rock (shale, gabbro and schist) each of this discontinuity is present?

(5 marks)

(e) When evaluating compressive strength of rock in laboratory it is necessary

to consider the effect of lamination and foliation exhibited by rock samples.
This is particularly important for metamorphic rocks which display
distinctive mineral arrangement. Typical stress-strain data obtained from
compression test on two (2) core samples of schist, Sample X and Sample Y,
is listed Table B3. Loading orientation with respect to the mineral
arrangement during testing of samples is shown in Fig. B2.

Using test data for Sample X and Sample Y in Table B3, plot stress-strain
curve for both samples?

(6 marks)

Based on the stress-strain curves plotted for Sample X and Sample Y, which
curve represents loading orientation (1), and loading orientation (2) as
depicted in Fig. B2)

(4 marks)
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Q2. Fig. B3 shows circular-shaped tunnel of 6 m diameter proposed in ROCK

MASS A and ROCK MASS B. As indicated in the figure, ROCK MASS A
displays inclined bedding planes and ROCK MASS B displays intersecting joint
sets. The proposed depth of the tunnel from ground surface at both sites is
similar and it is 140 m. Both sites exhibit similar type of topsoil that consists of
sandy clay of unit weight (γs) 15 kN/m3 and thickness as shown in Fig. B3.

The typical material properties for ROCK MASS A and B, obtained from lab
tests are listed in Table B4 below.

Table B4: Rock material properties based on laboratory tests

Rock type & properties Rock mass A Rock mass B

Compressive strength, UCS 80 MPa 30 MPa

Tensile strength, T 0.8 MPa 0.1 MPa

Slake durability index, Id 99.9 % 20 %

Young’s modulus, E 40 GPa 15 GPa

Primary wave velocity, Vp m/s 4000 – 6000 m/s 1500 – 2500 m/s

Unit weight of rock, γr 28 kN/m3 24 kN/m3

Unit weight of soils, γs 28 kN/m3 24 kN/m3

Answer all the following questions

(25 marks)

(a) Verify which tunnel will be subjected to a higher overburden stress (σv)?

2 marks)
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(b) The rock core samples obtained from ROCK MASS B is shown in Fig. B4
with core recovery of 100 %. Calculate the RQD value for this core?

(4 marks)

(c) Based purely on the nature of discontinuity/weakness plane in ROCK MASS

A and B, which tunnel will require a more intensive stabilisation system for
stability?
(2 marks)

(d) Name two (2) properties listed in Table B4 which may be used to indicate
that ROCK MASS A is denser than ROCK MASS B?

(2 mark)

(e) Based on the appearance of the in situ rock mass in Fig. B3, give an
explanation why it will be easier to excavate in ROCK MASS B?

(3 marks)

(f) It is predicted that the induced compressive stress (σc) at the walls of the
tunnel is approximately equals to 3 × [overburden stress, σv]. If the
compressive strength of the in situ rock mass in the tunnel walls is
approximately equals to 1% of its laboratory compressive strength (UCS),
which tunnel will exhibit failure at its walls?

(4 marks)
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(g) For both tunnels A and B, the requirement for rock stabilisation system is
unavoidable, and the expected modes of instability that will occur in the
tunnel walls are listed in Table B5. For each mode of instability listed in the
table, recommend a suitable method for stabilisation? State also whether the
recommended method is ‘rock support’ or ‘rock reinforcement’ system?
(Write your answer in column 3 and 4 in Table B5)

(8 marks)
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FKA.B.PP.06.Ed.1

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
SEMESTER : II SESSION : 2008/2009 PROGRAMME : SAW

COURSE : GEOLOGY & ROCK MECHANICS COURSE CODE : SAB 2712/ SAM 3722

Table B1: Rock as part of structure components and as construction materials

No. Name of structure Type of lab test

1. Bedrock as foundation for a large concrete dam (bedrock is 3 m
below ground surface)

2. Rock boulders for use as protection against erosion along a

coastline

3. Slope face excavated in rock with inclined bedding planes and

joints

4. Rock mass surrounding tunnel located at depth of 20 m below

ground surface

5. Excavation in rock mass by fracturing mechanism, e.g. blasting

& ripping.
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FKA.B.PP.06.Ed.1

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
SEMESTER : II SESSION : 2008/2009 PROGRAMME : SAW

COURSE : GEOLOGY & ROCK MECHANICS COURSE CODE : SAB 2712/ SAM 3722

WEATHERING DESCRIPTION
RESIDUAL SOIL; ORIGINAL TEXTURE
STRUCTURE AND MINERALOGY
VI COMPLETELY DESTROYED

COMPLETELY WEATHERED DECOMPOSED

AND FRIABLE, BUT ROCK TEXTURE AND
V STRUCTURE PRESERVED

HIGHLY WEATHERED; WEATHERING

EXTENDS THROUGHOUT ROCKMASS AND
IV ROCK MATERIAL IS PARTLY FRIABLE

MODERATELY WEATHERED; WEATHERING

EXTENDS THROUGHOUT ROCKMASS, BUT
III ROCK MATERIAL IS NOT FRIABLE

SLIGHTLY WEATHERED; PENETRATIVE

WEATHERING ON OPEN DISCONTINUITY
II SURFACES, BUT ONLY SLIGHT
WEATHERING OF ROCK MATERIAL
FRESH, NO VISIBLE SIGN OF WEATHERING
OR FAINTLY WEATHERED WITH
I WEATHERING LIMITED TO SURFACE OF
MAJOR DISCONTINUITIES

0.001 0.004 0.01 0.04 0.1 0.4 1.0

STRENGTH REDUCTION FACTOR

Fig. B1: Strength Reduction Factor (SRF) for rock at different weathering grade
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FKA.B.PP.06.Ed.1

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
SEMESTER : II SESSION : 2008/2009 PROGRAMME : SAW

COURSE : GEOLOGY & ROCK MECHANICS COURSE CODE : SAB 2712/ SAM 3722

Table B2: Large-scale and small-scale discontinuities in rock

No. Large-scale discontinuities SHALE GABBRO SCHIST

1. Bedding planes

2. Joints

3. Faults

No. Small-scale discontinuities SHALE GABBRO SCHIST

1. Lamination (mineral arrangement due
to sedimentation)
2. Flow texture/foliation (mineral
arrangement due to metamorphism)
 SAB 2712/ SAM 3722
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FKA.B.PP.06.Ed.1

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
SEMESTER : II SESSION : 2008/2009 PROGRAMME : SAW

COURSE : GEOLOGY & ROCK MECHANICS COURSE CODE : SAB 2712/ SAM 3722

Table B3: Stress strain data obtained from laboratory tests

Stress (MPa) Strain (%) – Sample X Strain (%) – Sample Y

0 0.000 0.000
3 0.038 0.038
6 0.075 0.065
10 0.113 0.103
15 0.155 0.140
22 0.220 0.180
30 0.290 0.225
38 0.360 0.265 (1) (2)
44 0.400 -
Fig. B2: Loading orientation for two
50 0.450 - samples of schist; (1) loading is at an
angle to foliation, (2) loading is
perpendicular to foliation
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FKA.B.PP.06.Ed.1

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
SEMESTER : II SESSION : 2008/2009 PROGRAMME : SAW

COURSE : GEOLOGY & ROCK MECHANICS COURSE CODE : SAB 2712/ SAM 3722

Ground surface Ground surface

20 m SANDY CLAY
SANDY CLAY 40 m

140 m
ROCK MASS B

ROCK MASS A

TUNNEL A TUNNEL B

Fig. B3: Proposed circular shaped tunnel in ROCK MASS A and ROCK MASS B
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FKA.B.PP.05.Ed.1

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
SEMESTER : II SESSION : 2008/2009 PROGRAMME : SAW

COURSE : GEOLOGY & ROCK MECHANICS COURSE CODE : SAB 2712/ SAM 3722

130 mm

90 mm

90 mm

75 mm

100 mm

120 mm

135 mm
1500 mm (core length)

220 mm

75 mm

95 mm

70 mm

70 mm
KEY:

--------- Fractures induced

230 mm by drilling.
______ Joints.

Fig. B4: Core sample obtained from ROCK MASS B

 SAB 2712/ SAM 3722
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FKA.B.PP.06.Ed.1

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
SEMESTER : II SESSION : 2008/2009 PROGRAMME : SAW

COURSE : GEOLOGY & ROCK MECHANICS COURSE CODE : SAB 2712/ SAM 3722

Table B5: Modes of instability in rock mass surrounding excavated tunnel

No. Mode of instability & factor leading to instability Recommended stabilisation Rock reinforcement OR rock
system support
1. Extensive groundwater flowing into the tunnel and induces high
pore-water pressure within the fractured rock in the tunnel walls.

2. Low shear strength of joints and sliding of unstable blocks (few

m3 in size) along joints and bedding planes
3. Rock mass with closely spaced joints that induce falling of small
rock blocks (0.3 m3 in size) on the tunnel roof.
4. Intersecting of two faults that lead to an unstable rock blocks of
more than 100 tonne in weight in the tunnel walls