Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of Mineral Composition and Texture on Durability of Sulfate Rocks in Gachsaran Formation, Iran

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Slake Durability is one of the most important engineering properties which is investigated by many researchers. Several correlations have been proposed between the slake durability index (SDI) of some rocks and their engineering properties. The purpose of this research is to determine the SDIs of sulfate rocks, including gypsum (GP), anhydrite (AN), and clay bearing gypsum and to investigate the effect of mineral composition and rock texture on the SDI. In order to carry out this research study, rock blocks were collected from the outcrops of the Gachsaran formation in 4 under construction reservoir dam sites in Iran. Rounded rock samples were prepared according to standard methods. Due to the specific characteristics of sulfate rocks, a thorough research was carried out on the determination and application of appropriate drying and saturation methods of sulfate rocks. The slake durability tests were performed in 5 cycles of 10 min using ionized water under dry and saturated conditions. These experiments have shown that in a rock composed of GP and AN, the durability of a rock is affected by its mineral composition and as a result, the durability index in both dry and saturated conditions decreases with increasing the GP percentage, and inversely, increases with increasing the AN content. In an almost pure GP or AN rock, there is a strong linear correlation between the number of slaking cycles and the SDI. Presence of clay-sized carbonates or microcrystalline carbonates in the mineral composition of GP rocks, increases the durability of rock in both dry and saturated conditions, especially in higher test cycles. Rock texture also has an important effect on the durability index, so that in a similar mineral composition, a rock with a porphyry texture is more durable than a rock with alabaster texture.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anagnostopoulos AG, Kalteziotis N, Tsiambaos GK, Kavvadas M (1991) Geotechnical properties of the Corinth Canal Marls. Geotech Geol Eng 9(1):1–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ASTM D4644-88 (1998) Standard test method for slake durability of shales and similar weak rocks. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. www.astm.org

  • ASTM D4643 (2017) Standard test method for determination of water content of soil and rock by microwave oven heating. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. www.astm.org

  • Bell FG, Lindsay P (1998) Durability of shales of the pietermaritzburg formation, greater Durban area, South Africa. In: Proceedings of the 8th international IAEG congress, (IIAEGC’98), Balkema, Rottewrdam, pp 275–282

  • Bell FG, Entwisie DC, Culshaw MG (1997) A geotechnical survey of some British Coal Measures mudstones, with particular emphasison durability. Eng Geol 46(2):115–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bryson LS, Gomez-Gutierrez IC, Hopkins TC (2012) Development of a new loss slake durability index for compacted shales. Eng Geol 139–140:66–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Candan G, Resat U, Harun S (2000) Factors affecting the durability of selected weak and clay-bearing rocks from Turkey, with particular emphasis o the influence of the number drying and wetting cycles. Eng Geol 57:215–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deo P (1972) Shales as embankment materials. Ph.D. thesis, Purdue University

  • Dhakal G, Yoneda T, Kato M, Kaneko K (2002) Slake durability and mineralogical properties of some pyroclastic and sedimentary rocks. Eng Geol 65:31–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dick JC, Shakoor A (1990) The effects of lithologic characteristics on mudrock durability. In: Proceedings 6th international IAEG congress, (IIAEGC’90), Balema, Rotterdam, pp 3061–3066

  • Dick JC, Shakoor A, Wells NA (1996) A geological approach toward developing a mudrock durability classification. Can Geotechnol J 31:17–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erguler ZA, Shakoor A (2009) Quantification of fragment size distribution of clay-bearing rocks after slake durability testing. Environ Eng Geosci 15(2):81–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erguler ZA, Ulusay R (2009) Assessment of physical disintegration characteristics of clay-bearing rocks: disintegration index test and new durability classification chart. Eng Geol 105(1–2):11–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fookes PG, Gourley CS, Ohikere C (1988) Rock weathering in engineering time. Q J Eng Hydrogeol 21:33–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franklin JA, Chandra A (1972) The slake-durability test. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 9:325–341

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frydman JA, Talesnick M, Geffen S, Shvarzman A (2007) Landslides and residual strength in marl profiles in Israel. Eng Geol 89(1–2):36–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gamble JC (1971) Durability-plasticity Classification of shales and other argillaceos rocks. Ph.D. thesis, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, p 161

  • Gautam TP (2012) An investigation of disintegration behavior of mudrocks based on laboratory and field tests. Ph.D. thesis, Kent State University

  • Gautam TP, Shakoor A (2013) Slaking behavior of clay-bearing rocks duringa one-year exposure to natural climatic conditions. Eng Geol 166:17–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghafoori M (1995) Engineering behaviour of Ashfield shale. Ph.D. thesis, University of Sydney, Australia

  • Ghobadi MH, Fereidooni D (2015) Effect of mineralogy on durability and strength of hornfelsic rocks under acidic rainfall in urban areas. J Eng Geol 9(2):2765–2788

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heidari M, Rafie B, Mohebbi Y, Torabi-Kaveh M (2015) Assessing the behavior of clay-bearing rocks using static and dynamic slaking indices. Geotech Geol Eng 33(4):1017–1030

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heidari M, Momeni A, Mohebbi Y (2018) Durability assessment of clay-bearing soft rocks by using new decay index. Period Polytech Civ Eng 11284:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Horing ED (2010) Field and laboratory tests investigating settlement of foundations on weathered Keuper Marl. Geotech Geol Eng 28(3):233–240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ISRM (1981) Suggested methods for determining water content, porosity, density, absorption and related properties and swelling and slake-durability index properties. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 16:141–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston IW, Nevello EA (1994) Soil mechanics, rock mechanics and soft rock technology. Geotech Eng 107(1):3–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kıncal C, Koca MY, Ozden G, Demirbasa N (2010) Fractal paremeter approach on weathering grade determination of Çeşme (Izmir, Turkey) Tuffs. Bull Eng Geol Environ 69:617–629

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolay E, Kayabalı K (2006) Investigation of the effect of aggreate shape and surface rougness on the slake durability index using the fractal dimension approach. Eng Geol 86:271–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koncagul EC, Santi PM (1999) Predicting the unconfined compressive strength of the Breathitt shale using slake durability, shore hardness and rock structural properties. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 36:139–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lashkaripour GR, Boomeri M (2002) The role of mineralogy on durability of weak rocks. J Appl Sci 2:698–701

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moon VG, Beattie AG (1995) Textural and micro structural influence on the durability of Waikato coal measures mud rocks. Q J Eng Hydrogeol 28:303–312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moradian ZA, Ghazvinian AH, Ahmadi M, Behnia M (2010) Predicting slake durability index of soft sandstone using indirect tests. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 47:666–671

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nadeesha H, Koralegedara NH, Maynard JB (2017) Chemical, mineralogical and textural properties of the Kope Formation mudstones: how they affect its durability. Eng Geol 228:312–322

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oguchi CT, Matsukura Y (1999) Effect of porosity on the increase in weathering-rind thickness of andesite gravel. Eng Geol 55(1–2):77–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Olivier HJ (1979) Some aspect of the influence of mineralogy and mudrocks. In: Proceedings of 4th international congress in roc mechanics. Montreux, vol 3, pp 1–8

  • Onodera TF, Yosinaka R, Oda M (1974) Weathering and its relation to mechanical properties of granite. In: Proceedings of the 3rd congress of ISRM, Denver, Leiden, vol II(A). A.A. Balkema, pp. 71–78

  • Oyama T, Chigira M (1999) Weathering rate of mudstone and tuff on old unlined tunnel walls. Eng Geol 5(1–2):15–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson DA, Williams RBG (1994) Rock weathering and landform evolution. Wiley, NewYork

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell DJ (1982) Control on shales durability: the response of two Ordovician shales in the slake durability test. Can Geotech J 19:1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sadisun IA, Shimada H, Ichinose M, Matsui K (2005) Study on the physical disintegration characteristics of Subang claystone subjected to a modified slaking index test. Geotech Geol Eng 23:199–218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh TN, Verma AK, Singh V, Sahu A (2005) Slake durability study of shaly rock and its predictions. Environ Geol 47:246–253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor RK (1988) Coal measures mudrocks: composition, classification and weathering processes. Q J Eng Hydrogeol 21:85–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tugrul A (2004) The effect of weathering on pore geometry and compressive strength of selected rock types from Turkey. Eng Geol 75(3–4):215–227

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ulusay R, Arikan F, Yoleri MF, Caglan D (1995) Engineering geological characterization of coal mine waste material and an evaluation in the context of back-analysis of spoil pile instabilities in a strip mine SW Turkey. Eng Geol 40:77–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vallejo LE, Welsh RA, Loveil WC, Robinson MK (1993) The influence of fabric and composition on the durbility of appalachian shale. In: ASTM Spec Tech Publ 1177, pp 15–28

  • Walsri C, Sriapai T, Phueakphum D, Fuenkajorn K (2012) Simulation of sandstone degradation using large-scale slake durability index testing device. Songlanalarin J Sci Technol 34:587–596

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood LE, Deo P (1975) A suggested system for classifying shale materials for embankment. Bull Eng Geol Environ 12(1):39–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Yagiz S (2009) Correlation between slake durability and rock properties for some carbonate rocks. Bull Eng Geol Environ 70(3):377–383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yagiz S (2010) Geomechanical properties of construction stones quarried in South-western Turkey. Sci Res Essays 5(8):750–757

    Google Scholar 

  • Yagiz S (2011) Correlation between slake durability and rock properties for some carbonate rocks. Bull Eng Geol Environ 70:377–383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yagiz S, Akyol E (2008) Investigation on the relationship between lithological features and slake durability index of travertine. Project no: 2006/MHF-004 (unpublished report)

  • Yilmaz I, Karacan K (2005) Slaking durability and its effect on the doline formation in the gypsum. Environ Geol 47:1010–1016

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was funded by a grant to authors by the vice-president research office of Bu-Ali Sina University, Iran, that is gratefully acknowledged. Also, preparation of rock samples and conducting experiments was undertaken in the Engineering Geological and Geotechnical Laboratory of Bu-Ali Sina University. Therefore, thanks and appreciation of the contributions made in this field.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Mahdieh Ave, PO Box: 6517538695, Hamedan, Iran

    Mohammad Reza Rahimi & Seyed Davoud Mohammadi

  2. Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Imam Khomeini International University, PO Box: 3414896818, Qazvin, Iran

    Alireza Taleb Beydokhti

Authors
  1. Mohammad Reza Rahimi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Seyed Davoud Mohammadi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alireza Taleb Beydokhti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Seyed Davoud Mohammadi.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rahimi, M.R., Mohammadi, S.D. & Beydokhti, A.T. Effects of Mineral Composition and Texture on Durability of Sulfate Rocks in Gachsaran Formation, Iran. Geotech Geol Eng 38, 2619–2637 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-019-01173-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-019-01173-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation