Influence of weathering processes on the shear strength of siltstones from a flysch rock mass along the northern Adriatic coast of Croatia

Abstract

Weathering processes cause significant changes in the engineering properties of rocks. Slope instability in flysch rock formations along the northern Adriatic coast of Croatia is related to the effects of weathering on the shear strength of siltstones from the flysch rock mass. Therefore, changes in geotechnical properties according to weathering grade are of immense importance in relation to instability processes. In this work, we investigated siltstones from flysch rock masses in the study area, and evaluated changes in engineering properties due to weathering. The research began with field observations and determination of the strength of different weathering grades of siltstones in the area. Mineralogical and laboratory studies were subsequently conducted, and mineral content was determined for siltstones of different weathering grades. We also performed a series of drying–wetting cycles to simulate natural conditions of the weathering process involved in the disintegration of the rock material into sand-sized and smaller particles. This weathering process resulted in disintegration of the siltstone rock mass into smaller particles that were not a unique rock block, with the soil-like material consisting of unbound particles of rock. Laboratory tests were also carried out on the soil-like material to determine the specific gravity, grain size distribution, Atterberg limits and residual shear strength for the different weathering grades of siltstones. Based on this research, we determined the changes in engineering properties for different weathering grades. Our results underscore the significant influence of the weathering process on mineral content, cation exchange capacity, liquid limit and residual shear strength, thus affecting slope stability in siltstones in flysch rock masses.