Estimating Strength of Sandstone Using Petrographic Thin-Section Data

Abstract

Research Article| January 01, 1979 Estimating Strength of Sandstone Using Petrographic Thin-Section Data M. P. FAHY; M. P. FAHY M. P. Fahy is a geological engineer in the Resource Development and Technical Services Department of the Public Service Company of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar M. J. GUCCIONE M. J. GUCCIONE M. J. Guccione is a Ph.D. candidate in the Geology Department of the University of Colorado and is presently completing her thesis work at the University of Arkansas Geology Department, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information M. P. FAHY M. P. Fahy is a geological engineer in the Resource Development and Technical Services Department of the Public Service Company of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico M. J. GUCCIONE M. J. Guccione is a Ph.D. candidate in the Geology Department of the University of Colorado and is presently completing her thesis work at the University of Arkansas Geology Department, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Publisher: Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1558-9161 Print ISSN: 1078-7275 © 1979 Association of Engineering Geologists Environmental & Engineering Geoscience (1979) xvi (4): 467–485. https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.xvi.4.467 Article history First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation M. P. FAHY, M. J. GUCCIONE; Estimating Strength of Sandstone Using Petrographic Thin-Section Data. Environmental & Engineering Geoscience 1979;; xvi (4): 467–485. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.xvi.4.467 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyEnvironmental & Engineering Geoscience Search Advanced Search Abstract The determination of rock compressive strength is a major design requirement for underground openings in rock. However, determination of compressive strength by triaxial compression tests requires high quality core samples which are not always available from thin-bedded, fractured strata. This investigation shows that the compressive strength of calcareous sandstones can be estimated from critical petrographic properties observed in thin sections. For the sandstones from the Beehive Coal Mine, the significant petrographic properties are mean and median grain sizes, percent quartz grains, total percent quartz, sphericity, and percent intergrown and percent straight grain contacts.The accuracy of estimating compressive strength can be improved by increasing the number of petrologic properties used as estimators. A polynomial prediction equation utilizing three easily measured rock properties, percent quartz grains, total percent cement, and mean grain size, shows very good correlation between estimated and experimental compressive strengths. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.