Physical properties of alpine rocks : a laboratory investigation

Abstract

In this study, basic physical properties of rocks from the Swiss Alp have been determined and analyzed in an integrated manner. Laboratory measurements have carried out on bulk density, matrix density, thermal conductivity, magnetic susceptibility and P-wave velocity. Thermal conductivity has been measured using a QTM (Quick thermal meter) apparatus. By analyzing the difference in thermal conductivity and its anisotropy under dry and saturated states, the pore configuration of most of the measured rock samples is shown to correspond to an inter-connected pore model. Seismic P-wave velocity under high confining pressures up to 400 MPa can be fitted to a semi-empirical relationship with 4 parameters. The relationship between the different physical properties has been investigated using correlation coefficients and factor analysis. The best relationship is between P-wave velocity and bulk density. Results from factor analysis confirm that the original 10 measured parameters are reduced to 3 independent factors.