Μηχανική συμπεριφορά σκληρών εδαφών-μαλακών βράχων

Abstract

This thesis aims to the determination of the mechanical behaviour of geological formations which are classified as hard soils-soft rocks and are considered the intermediate transition from soil to rock. Formations of this type from Peloponnesus, Greece are examined. The first boundaries of this research have been set by recording the parameters of this type of geological formations as reported by previous researchers on this subject from the International and Greek experience. In the framework of this research, the ineluctability of examining in Greece hard soil-soft rock material behaviour by determining its mechanical properties based on a rock mechanics approach has been realized. Given the specific physis of hard soils-soft rocks there has been the need to focus on the methodology of sampling and laboratory testing and assess alterations in order to adjust them to the specialties of these certain formations. A complete sequence of methods and techniques is suggested, in order to achieve examination of the mechanical behaviour of these formations, including the steps from on site sampling to laboratory testing of mechanical properties. Sampling focused on the Peloponnesus area and more specifically on Korinth, Patras, Pyrgos and Kalamata sedimentary basins and refers to soft rocks of Neogene age from 28 different sites. Recording and systematic geological and geotechnical description of these sites of investigation has been conducted and the formations examined have been classified in their corresponding environment as far as their characteristics are concerned. 31 triaxial tests have been executed in order to determine the mechanical parameters of hard soils-soft rocks as part of a widened laboratory research which included all the mechanical and dynamical properties of these formations as well as physical parameters. Moreover, XRD testing has been included in order to provide information about the sample mineralogy and semi-quantitative analyses results were used as a means of evaluating the impact of mineralogy to the mechanical behaviour. The results of laboratory testing are used for addressing their range and typical values to the corresponding material type. Relationships between the parameters are also evaluated, resulting in empirical equations for the most strongly depended. Mohr-Coulomb and Hoek-Brown failure criteria were applied and their failure envelope fits to the true laboratory data are evaluated in order to compare them in terms of the best fit. All of the above are examined by considering the data as of corresponding to one (soft) rock type and also by considering the lithological differentiation of the sandy and finer types. Finally, the interdependence of the parameters describing mechanical behaviour was examined after taking in consideration data that refer to pure rock formations in order to reveal the equivalence in mechanical behaviour of the soft rocks to pure rocks. The results provide comparison between the intrinsic characteristics of these rock types and thus project the importance of hard soil-soft rock examination into understanding the mechanical behaviour of the full geotechnical spectrum.