Evaluation of rock property variability

ABSTRACT

Rocks are natural geo-materials, whose properties are affected by many spatially-varying factors, such as the properties of their parent materials, weathering processes, and discontinuity conditions. Engineering properties of rocks therefore vary spatially and exhibit significant variability. To evaluate rock property variability, an extensive literature review is performed in this study to collect data reported in literature for igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks during the last several decades. The typical ranges of rock property data, mean values and coefficient of variations of rock properties are evaluated and summarized. These typical ranges of rock properties can be used as guidelines for approximation when rock property data are not available at a project site. Furthermore, they can be used as prior knowledge when developing Bayesian framework for quantifying the variability of rock properties at a specific project site.     

Expansion of landscape characterisation methods within the Hydrogeological Landscape Framework: application in the Australian Capital Territory

The Hydrogeological Landscape (HGL) Framework is a landscape-characterisation tool that is used to discern areas of similar physical, hydrogeological, hydrological, chemical and biological properties, referred to as HGL Units. The HGL Framework facilitates prioritisation of natural-resource management investment by identifying current and potential hazards in the landscape. Within prioritised regions, on-ground management actions are tailored for specific Management Areas within individual HGL Units. The HGL Unit boundaries are determined through expert interpretation of spatial and field based datasets, such as climate, landform, geology, regolith, soil, stream network, groundwater flow systems, water quality and vegetation assemblages. The resulting HGL Units are validated by an interdisciplinary team using field assessment and biophysical testing. The use of the HGL Framework for new applications creates opportunities for refinement of the existing methodology and products for end users. This paper uses an application in the Australian Capital Territory as a case study to illustrate two enhanced techniques for the landscape characterisation component of the HGL Framework: use of an unsupervised statistical learning algorithm, Self-Organising Maps (SOM), to further validate HGL Units; and landform modelling to assist in delineation of Management Areas. The combined use of SOM and landform modelling techniques provides statistical support to the existing expert and field-based techniques, ensuring greater rigour and confidence in determination of landscape patterns. This creates a more refined HGL Framework landscape-characterisation tool, facilitating more precise hazard assessment and strategic natural-resource management by end users.     

General ground water geochemistry of Hellas using bottled water samples

Sixty-one still bottled water samples, representing 41 locations, were collected from Hellas for the purpose of studying the geochemistry of ground water. Since, the dominating lithology comprises limestone, dolomitic limestone, marble, and mafic–ultramafic rocks (ophiolites), the dominant major ions in Hellenic bottled waters are Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, CO₃²⁻ and HCO₃⁻, and are, thus, classified in the Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺–HCO₃⁻ hydrochemical facies. The source aquifers of Hellenic bottled water are apparently continuously replenished by fresh water. Comparison of values of Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cl⁻, HCO₃⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, pH and electrical conductivity, displayed on bottle labels with those of this study, has shown that there is a fairly good correlation between the two data sets, suggesting that the geochemistry of source aquifers is relatively stable over time, at least from 1998 to 2008.     

Hydrogeochemistry and groundwater origin of the Basses-Laurentides sedimentary rock aquifer system, St. Lawrence Lowlands, Québec, Canada

A comprehensive hydrogeochemical study was carried out in the Paleozoic Basses-Laurentides sedimentary rock aquifer system in Québec over a 1500 km² study area. Groundwater samples were collected at 153 sites, characterizing all geological and hydrogeological units to a maximum depth of 140 m. Groundwater was analyzed for major, minor and trace inorganic constituents, stable isotopes δ ²H, δ ¹⁸O, and δ ¹³C of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and some samples were analyzed for ³H, and ¹⁴C of DIC. The regional distribution of groundwater types shows that the hydrogeological conditions exert a dominant control on the major ions chemistry of groundwater. Preferential recharge areas are characterized by tritiated Ca-Mg-HCO₃ groundwater, and confined conditions by submodern Na-HCO₃ and Na-Cl groundwater types. Two groundwater end-members are identified in the aquifer system, modern meteoric water and Pleistocene Champlain Sea water. The region displays significant variations of groundwater geochemistry and quality controlled by glaciation, Champlain Sea invasion, lithological rock diversity, and flow system scales. This situation leads to varied groundwater types and origins within a restricted area.     

Using Field-Portable XRF to Assess Geochemical Variations Within and Between Dolerite Outcrops of Preseli, South Wales

Eight dolerite outcrops in Preseli, south Wales were measured in situ using field-portable XRF analysis, in order to compare two different analysis ("sampling") strategies, and to investigate geochemical variability within and between outcrops. A sampling strategy of two (neighbouring but independent) measurements at each of a maximal number of locations dispersed over an outcrop was the more effective in indicating the overall chemical variance of that outcrop. Analysis of variance indicated that much of the observed variance within individual outcrops stems from real geochemical variability rather than from sampling and analytical factors. Standard ANOVA F tests showed that several of the studied outcrops are heterogeneous at the 5% significance level for one or more elements. Geochemical distinctions between some outcrops were demonstrated using discriminant analysis. PXRF analysis offers an alternative approach to conventional characterisation of outcrops, which is often based on laboratory analysis of small numbers of samples. However, PXRF data are affected by rock weathering and may require correction for this if they are to be compared with analyses of fresh rock.     

Occurrence of minor toxic elements in volcanic-sedimentary aquifers: a case study in central Italy

The occurrence of minor toxic elements (arsenic, vanadium and fluoride among others) in the volcanic aquifers of central Italy, with concentrations often above the national standards for drinking waters, has been recognized since the 1970s. However, these groundwaters are still often used for human consumption. With the aim of providing insight into the water–rock interaction processes, as well as into the evolution of arsenic and other elements, water-sampling campaigns where undertaken within a 100 km² area at the eastern margin of the Viterbo region, where volcanites overlie an alluvial aquifer complex. The samples were analysed and geochemical modelling was applied to characterize the thermodynamic state of the waters. The results indicate the existence of direct relations among arsenic, vanadium and fluoride concentrations and of their inverse relationship with calcium concentration. An evolution scheme of groundwater composition from the upstream volcanic aquifer to the downstream sedimentary aquifer is also discussed. Two hypotheses are proposed which justify the observed decrease of the cited minor element concentrations, i.e. dilution processes and/or precipitation of fluorapatite, which can include in its structure small amounts of these elements. The precipitation hypothesis is supported by modelling results.     

Construction and use of an inexpensive, lightweight free-fall penetrometer: applications to paleolimnological research

This paper describes the construction of an inexpensive, lightweight, free-fall lake sediment penetrometer with application to paleolimnological research. This penetrometer is suitable for use in a variety of fresh water lake settings. Data are collected on a laptop PC, Palm OS handheld, or a Texas Instruments handheld data collection unit and are analysed using commercially available software. The quality of these data are adequate for determining changes in substrate type based on hardness. The unit can also be used to locate sites for optimum penetration of gravity cores and to calibrate sonar records. Addition of up to three optional transducers could expand the capabilities of the unit. Other potential uses include the determination of specific geotechnical properties of the lake sediment including the undrained shear strength.     

Geomechanical characterisation of rock masses in Alpine regions: the Basque Arc (Basque-Cantabrian basin, Northern Spain)

The geomechanical characterisation of rock masses in Alpine regions is one of the main challenges currently facing rock mechanics. These rock masses, made up of very different materials and frequently tectonically disturbed, are affected by engineering works, giving rise to potentially important problems. Thus, in the Basque Country, these materials are at the cause of important fatalities occurring in recent years. In this context, we aim at characterising these materials with the ultimate purpose of predicting their behaviour. The characterisation is initially approached based on the GSI, m_i and σ_ci parameters, following the Hoek-Brown failure criterion. This information is supplemented with field and laboratory measurements, and by obtaining the RQD and RMR indices. Using the information obtained from 99 metering stations, we develop a graphic classification procedure, which allows us to distinguish materials based on their characteristics, behaviour, type and degree of associated problems, and type and effectiveness of solutions provided. Eight classes of material are established.     

Description and evaluation of the high quality photogrammetric scanner UltraScan 5000

Scanning of analogue images has become a key hardware technology specific to modern digital photogrammetry. Since specialised photogrammetric scanners have been introduced in the late 1980s, a gradual development and improvement of their performance regarding hardware, software and functionality, and productivity has been observed. Originally, geometric accuracy of scanners was the overriding specification for scanners. This is increasingly being augmented by a concern for good colour and radiometric performance. This article describes the UltraScan 5000, a modern photogrammetric scanner manufactured by Vexcel Imaging Austria, and its features, assesses its radiometric and geometric performance with various well-founded tests, and discusses its versatility and use in production. The UltraScan 5000 was introduced in November 1998 and since then, a surprisingly large number of systems has been installed worldwide. Their successful operation illustrates on a daily basis the validity of the technical solution and tests at user sites have confirmed a good to excellent performance regarding geometric accuracy and resolution, radiometric performance (noise, dynamic range) and colour rendition.     

Mesures in situ par infiltrométrie des propriétés hydrodynamiques des sols de Mnasra (Maroc)

The aim of this work is the field hydraulic characterisation of Mnasra soils in northern Morocco, which represents an essential step to study the hydraulic and chemical transports through the vadose zone. We have used a tension infiltrometer associated with a transient axisymmetric infiltration method to determine the hydraulic conductivity, which reduces the duration of measurements. This allows us to characterise a large area with many measurements. Parameters of the characteristic functions K(h) and θ(h) are estimated for six different soils belonging to two geomorphologically different domains: a sandy zone and an alluvial plain. To cite this article: K. Tamoh, A. Maslouhi, C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).