SKAA 2712 / SAB 2712 1

FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER I, SESSION 2014/2015

COURSE CODE : SKAA 2712 / SAB 2712

COURSE : ENGINEERING GEOLOGY AND ROCK MECHANICS

PROGRAMME : SKAW / SAW

DURATION : 2 HOURS

DATE : JANUARY, 2015

INSTRUCTION TO CANDIDATES :
1. ANSWERS ALL QUESTIONS IN SECTION A AND SECTION B
2. 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 examination question consists of ( 8 ) printed pages only.

 SKAA 2712 / SAB 2712 2

SECTION A : GEOLOGY

Q1. An igneous rock is formed through the cooling of magma. However, the intrusive
and extrusive types of igneous rocks have distinctive differences in their
characteristics.

(a) Explain their differences in terms of their origin. Discuss.

(6 marks)

(b) Why some types of extrusive igneous rock materials can cause alkali silica
reaction (ASR) in concreting?
(8 marks)

Q2. Effects of weathering may effect the engineering properties of rock mass of various
weathering zone

(a) Why does a tropical region have thick weathering profile?

( 5 marks)

(b) Explain the principles used in zoning the weathering zones.

(5 marks)

(c) How does the presence of discontinuities in a rock mass accelerate the
weathering process?
(4 marks)

(d) With the aid of sketches, explain typical weathering profile of a granite.
(6 marks)

Q3. The engineering properties of sedimentary rock mass depend on a number of factors.

(a) Why does bedding plane exist in the sedimentary rock masses?
(4 marks)

(b) The three (3) critical factors listed below will influence the behaviour of
sedimentary rock masses. Explain:-

i) Discontinuities (4 marks)

ii) Weathering (4 marks)

iii) Rock Material (4 marks)

 SKAA 2712 / SAB 2712 3

SECTION B : ROCK MECHANICS

Q4. Rock test is an essential part of construction work in rock. It provides a means to
obtain properties of rock sample for the design of related structure in that
construction. Answer the following questions

(a) Based on types and nature of data, state two (2) major types of laboratory tests
for rock samples?
(2 marks)

(b) Explain why a small size rock samples used in lab test cannot represent the
actual condition/state of large-scale rock mass in the field?
(2 marks)

(c) Name one type of laboratory test (index, indirect or direct strength test) that is
essential to verify the rock properties for the following structures:
(8 marks)

Table 4.1: Structure/component of structure and related rock fundamental property

No. Structure/component Type of test

1. Bedrock as foundation of a large structure

2. Rock in the roof section of a tunnel

3. Slope excavated in highly jointed rock

4. Granite boulders for use as coastal protection

(d) Figure 4.1 shows disc-shaped rock samples tested for their tensile strength
(Brazilian test). Some samples display existing fracture/weakness planes that
are at different orientations with respect to loading axis, as shown in (a) to (d).
Answer the following questions :
(8 marks)
 SKAA 2712 / SAB 2712 4

Axial load

Existing weakness
plane

[a] [b] [c] [d]

FIGURE 4.1: Effect of existing weakness plane (dashed line) on tensile strength of rock
sample

• State a reason why the Brazilian is grouped an indirect test for testing the tensile
strength?

• Sate a reason why sample (a) and (b) show a similar tensile strength?

• Which sample will show tensile strength approximately equals to zero?

• Between samples (b) and (c), which one will show a lower tensile strength?
 SKAA 2712 / SAB 2712 5

Q5. An intact and fresh rock core sample of 54 mm diameter was tested for its uniaxial
compressive strength (UCS). During loading the axial and radial strains were
measured using strain gauges, and the stress and strain data is shown in Table 5.1
below. Answer the following questions

(a) Plot the stress versus strain curve for this sample?
(6 marks)

Table 5.1: Stress-strain data for uniaxial compression test on Sample

Normal stress (MPa) Vertical strain (%)

0.0 0.0000

5.0 0.0319

10.0 0.0720

15.0 0.1025

20.0 0.1450

25.0 0.1755

30.0 0.2150

35.0 0.2455

41.0 0.2815

46.0 0.3125

52.0 0.3515

58.0 0.4000

(b) Based on the plotted curve, calculate the average/tangent Young’s modulus
and for this sample, at 50 % UCS?
(4 marks)
 SKAA 2712 / SAB 2712 6

Q6. In estimating the in situ strength of a rock mass, it is important to quantify its
discontinuous nature due to the presence of large-scale discontinuities. For jointed
rock this is quantified using parameters like RQD and joint spacing. Generally for
fresh rock, the higher the RQD value (and larger joint spacing), the stronger is the
rock mass.

(a) In the absence of core sample obtained from drilling, name another two (2)
methods that can be used for estimating RQD of a rock mass?
(2 marks)

(b) Figure 6.1 shows a core sample obtained from drilling of jointed rock mass.
Observation shows that types of fracture occurring in the core consist of both
natural joints and cracks induced by drilling work.

• Calculate the core length and state the percentage (%) of recovery of
this core
(2 marks)
• Calculate the RQD value for this core.
(4 marks)
 SKAA 2712 / SAB 2712 7

140
90

160

160

80

90
90
Core length (mm)
100

90

140

180

90 Natural Joints

90 Cracks induced by drilling

FIGURE 6.1: Core sample obtained from drilling of jointed rock mass.
 SKAA 2712 / SAB 2712 8

Q7. Rock stabilisation methods are classified into 2 main groups; rock support and rock
reinforcement system.

(a) State one main difference between rock support and rock reinforcement
system?
(2 marks)

(b) For the various mode of instability listed in Table 7.1 below, recommend a
suitable method of stabilisation for each? State also whether the recommended
method is rock support or rock reinforcement system.
(8 marks)

Table 7.1 : Modes of instability and stabilisation methods

No. Mode of instability & Recommended Rock

factor leading to instability stabilisation system stabilization
method
1. Surface water seeping into a
rock slope and induces high
pore-water pressure in its
highly jointed rockmass.
2. Low shear strength of joints
and sliding of unstable
blocks (few m3 in size) along
these joints
3. Rock mass with closely
spaced joints that induce
falling of small rock blocks
(0.3 m3 in size) on a slope
face
4. Intersecting of two major
faults that lead to an unstable
rock blocks of more than
500 tonne in weight

(c) Why for rock bolt (active dowel) it is essential that the rock mass to be
stabilized must be strong in terms of compressive strength?
(2 marks)