Ijciet 10 01_159-2

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)
Volume 10, Issue 01, January 2019, pp. 1731–1739, Article ID: IJCIET_10_01_159
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijciet/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=10&IType=1
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316
©IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed
PREDICTION OF ENGINEERING PROPERTIES
OF BASALTIC ROCKS IN JORDAN
Abdulla A. Sharo
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Jordan University of Science and
Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan
Mohammad S. Al-Tawaha
Master Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Jordan University of Science and
Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan
ABSTRACT
This study aims at investigating possible connections between point load index
(Is50) and the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) for a Basaltic rock derived from
different regions in Jordan and examining potential relationships between Basalt
physical properties and ultrasonic pulse value (UPV). A series of lab experiments
including point load test, uniaxial compressive strength, Brazilian split test, ultrasonic
pulse velocity, dry density, and porosity were performed on a Basaltic rock cores with
dimension as per the ISRM standard. The obtained results indicated that the
relationship between unconfined compressive strength and point load test of Basalt is
restricted with the result of the previous studies and ranged between 20 to 24 times the
point load index values. Results also revealed that a good relationship may be derived
between Brazilian split test and unconfined compressive strength. Lastly, results
indicate a good relationship between ultrasonic pulse values (UPV) attained with both
porosity and dry density.
Key words: Uniaxial compressive strength, Brazilian tensile strength, point load test,
Basalt, Ultrasonic pulse value.
Cite this Article: Abdulla A. Sharo, Mohammad S. Al-Tawaha. Prediction of
Engineering Properties of Basaltic Rocks in Jordan, International Journal of Civil
Engineering and Technology (IJCIET) 10(1), 2019, pp. 1731–1739.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=10&IType=1
1. INTRODUCTION
Basalt in Jordan, as an extension to the North Arabian Basaltic Level, covers a territory of
about 11,000 km2
extending from the upper east of Jordan and expands northwest into Syria
and southeast into Saudi Arabia. In the meantime, a gathering of little mainland volcanic
rocks are available in central Jordan. Basalt can be utilized in numerous mechanical
applications, for example; rock wool, pipes, and can also be used as a construction material
[1-3].

Prediction of Engineering Properties of Basaltic Rocks in Jordan
There were no less than two periods of broad basaltic movement in central Jordan among
Neogene to Quaternary. The oldest basaltic flow crops out north of Al Hashimya where it is
incompletely secured by Pleistocene sediments. The most youthful flow secured Wadi rock
north and northwest of Jurf Ed-Darawish town. The basaltic flow of onboard level territory
contained generally gigantic and blocky in the investigated region. Volcanoclastic stores are
up to 15 m thick and uncovered in the eastern piece of Jabal Uneiza zone. The main
mineralogical components are Plagioclase, Clinopyroxenitic, Olivine, and Ore minerals
(Magnetite and Ilmenite). Some amount of Orthoclase is present and secondary Calcite occurs
[1, 4, and 5].
Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) is an imperative property of rock. Uniaxial
compressive strength is generally utilized in the slope stability investigation and in the design
of foundations and tunneling in rocks. Too many correlations exist in the literature that relates
the uniaxial compressive strength to the point load test (PLTs). Most of the existing
correlations come with relatively closer conclusions that indicate the UCS values are
approximately in the rage of 24 times the point load index [6]. Also, the literature indicates a
strong linear correlations between ultrasonic P-wave velocity (UPV) and carbonate rocks
density, porosity, void ratio. and water absorption by weight were reported by [7-9] found
exceptionally related models between P-wave velocity and density, porosity, uniaxial
compressive quality, Brazilian tensile quality, modulus of elasticity, and Poisson's proportion
utilizing basalt rock from 18 distinct areas in the Diyarbakir zone.
Yasar and Erdogan [10] found a connection between UPV with density, compressive
quality, and Young's modulus of carbonate rock. In view of 115 examples of volcanic rocks,
74 tests of changeable rocks, and 55 tests of sedimentary rocks, Choi and Seung-cheol [11]
concluded a relapse investigation between uniaxial compressive quality, Young's modulus,
and ultrasonic test. In light of a relapse investigation, Vasanelli et al. [12] found a solid direct
relationship amongst UPV and compressive quality, while a low connection amongst UPV
and density was found in Lecce stone, a delicate and permeable building limestone. Singh and
Kripamoy [13] observed that P-wave speed and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS)
diminished as the quartz content expanded and as the dampness content expanded. They
additionally announced a decline in P-wave speed as the silica content expanded.
Rahmouni et al. [14] utilized ultrasonic speed to foresee the porosity and density of
calcarenite rocks that are trademark in recorded landmarks; great relationships between P-
wave speeds; porosity and density were accounted for. Aliabdo and Elmoaty [15] explored the
connection among UPV and the compressive quality of basalt stone. They inferred that the
estimation of compressive quality for basalt stone utilizing bounce back number and UPV in
consolidated strategy was more solid than utilizing UPV or bounce back number alone. Juneja
and Endait [16] examined the connection among UPV and physical properties of vesicular
basalt. Results demonstrated an expansion of UPV with expanding dry density and the
contrary pattern with expanding evident porosity. In addition, Kallu and Roghanchi [17]
announced a solid connection among UPV and compressive strength with R2
= 0.92, for
basalt and rhyolite rock. Aldeeky and Al Hattamleh [4] studied the relationship of physical
properties of basaltic rock in Jordan with UPV. They established a wide, quick and
nondestructive evaluation method.
Based on the above discussion and in spite of the fact that there are numerous
relationships between uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and other mechanical or physical
properties of rock, there is still a room for elaborating more on the possible relations among
the UCS and the physical and mechanical properties of a Basaltic rock, particularly, for
basaltic rock in Jordan. The objective of this study was to create and assess new connections
between point load index (Is50) and UCS of basalt. Also, relationships between ultrasonic

Abdulla A. Sharo, Mohammad S. Al-Tawaha
pulse value (UPV) determined in the laboratory and other physical properties of Basalt.
Utilizing these updates, UCS of basalt can be anticipated utilizing a straightforward, quick,
and prudent method.
2. METHODOLOGY
Seventy-three samples were prepared from blocks that were taken from the Safawi region,
Mafraq city, Jordan. The rock cores were trimmed with 50 mm diameter and 200 mm height.
Dry density dry and porosity (n) of the rock cores were assessed using ISRM [18]. In these
tests, the length and the diameter of the samples were measured to obtain dry, similarly
porosity (n) value was determined using the ratio of the pore volume and the sample volume.
Ultra-sonic pulse velocity (UPV) was utilized in the study. The pulse was calculated by
dividing the lengths of the core on transmit time [19]. There are various variables that impact
the sound velocity of rocks. The imperative factors are rock type, grain size and shape,
porosity, and anisotropy [20].
Point load tests (PLTs) and UCS tests were performed on thirty dry samples. These
samples were with range of UPV greater than 4.5 Km/s to insure that it contains no micro or
macro cracks. In order to accurately contrast the PLT results and the UCS results, the core
was cut into two pieces, 50 mm in diameter and 150 mm and 25 mm in height for UCS and
PLTs, respectively. Dry samples were arranged by oven drying the samples for 24 hours and
then after checking its mass every 4 hours interval until the samples had been reached
constant value. Brazilian split value were conducted on samples of the same size of point load
test with length to diameter equal ratio of 0.5 which conveys with the ASTM standard [21].
Moreover, in order to determine the tangent Young’s modulus, the pressure rate was
applied within the rate of 0.2-0.5 MPa. Deformations were measured using an extensometer
capable of measuring deformation to high accuracy. The stress-strain curve was drawn using
strain and stress values obtained as a result of the experiment. Tangent Young’s modulus was
calculated from this curve.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
A linear relationship to anticipate Basalt properties from mechanical and physical test was
utilized by a numerous specialists in this field [22]. In such examination, a straight
investigation was done to research the connections between dry density, porosity, Brazilian
spilt value, uniaxial compressive strength, deformation modulus of elasticity and ultrasonic
pulse velocity (UPV) of basalt. Direct conditions and R2
were displayed great relationship
coefficient if R2
more noteworthy than 80% agreeing to [23].
Based on this, the correlations derived in the following sections were satisfactory obtained
on the basis of a linear regression analysis among the different Basaltic rock mechanical and
physical properties.
3.1. Relationship between unconfined compressive strength and Point load test
Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and point load test was carried out on a 30 samples of
Basalt. Tests results for UCS and PLT (expressed in terms of point load index, Is50) acquired
from the 30 Basalt samples are plotted in Fig.1

Figure 1 Correlation between UCS and PLI for rock specimens
Fig. 1, also, illustrates the possible correlation between the uniaxial compressive strength
(UCS) and the point load index (PLI) for Basalt. According to Fig. 1, the distribution of data
confirms that a good relation between UCS and PLI does exist. Using regression analysis, this
correlation may be expressed as in the following equation (Eq. 1):
(1)
Generally, the correlation between UCS and Is50 for Basalt specimens is agreed well with
the pervious enormous correlation available in the literature in which most of them restrict the
correlation constant between UCS and PLI at a range of between 20 and 24.
3.2. Relationship between Brazilian split value test and unconfined compressive
strength
The empirical relationship between uniaxial compressive strength and Brazilian split value
(BSV) was also examined in this work. Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) was plotted
against Brazilian split value as shown in Fig. 2.
Figure 2 Correlation between UCS and BSV for rock specimens

From Fig. 2, a strong linear correlation is evident with a high regression value. The
possible linear correlation obtained from the regression analysis can best be described as
flows (Eq. 2):
(2)
An interesting observation can be made from the finding of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The three
values discussed in these figures (UCS, PLI and BSV) are interrelated to each other.
Determination of any one of these values can lead to the estimation of the other two values as
can be illustrated from Eq. 1 and Eq.2.
3.3. Relationship between dry density and ultrasonic pulse velocity
The experimental connection between dry density quality ( ) and ultrasonic pulse value
(UPV) was considered using the seventy three (73) Basalt samples. It plainly demonstrated
that a direct increasing pattern can be acknowledged in dry density versus UPV connection,
with R2
in the order of 0.882. For this Basalt, the linear correlation that best describe the
relation between dry density and the ultrasonic pulse velocity can be given as can be seen on
Fig. 3 by equation (3):
(3)
Figure 3 Relationship between ultrasonic pulse velocity and dry density
In Fig. 3 also the best correlation between dry density and UPV revealed from Karakus
and Akatay [24] is plotted. Despite of the common increasing pattern predicted in this study
and in the study by [24], it can also be demonstrated that the current relation reveals much
better prediction that the prediction by [24] for the Basalt samples tests in this study. This can
led to an inference that the relationship between dry density and UPV is not a unique.
3.4. Relationship between porosity and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity
The factual connection between rock porosity and ultrasonic pulse velocity was considered.
As appeared in Fig. 5 a decent straight connection between ultrasonic pulse velocity and
porosity was found with relapse coefficient, R2
of about 0.832. The connection demonstrates
that porosity decreases with increasing ultrasonic pulse velocity; this finding concurs with
past revealed results [24].

Figure 4 Empirical equations correlated rock porosity (n) and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV)
As can be revealed from the linear regression analysis, the decreasing behavior between
porosity ultrasonic pulse velocities can be described as in the equation (4):
(4)
3.5. Relationship between deformation modulus and unconfined compressive
strength
The empirical relationship between tangent modulus of elasticity (Et) and uniaxial
compressive strength (UCS) was studied. Among the tested samples in this study, only 10
samples were suitable for investigating the relation between the tangent modules of elasticity
and the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS). Fig. 5 demonstrates the relations between
tangent modulus of elasticity and unconfined compressive strength of the Basalt used in this
study.
Figure 5 Correlation between UCS and tangential modulus of elasticity for rock specimens in this
study

Figure 6 Correlation between UCS and tangential modulus of elasticity for rock specimens with
additional data taken from [4]
Almost very a negligible difference was noticed by considering the extra data set taken
from [4] which confirms that the correlation does exist in its simple form. The Linear
regression analyses types were performed. Correlation coefficient for of R2
= 0.83 was
reported from a linear form which clearly indicates that the tangent modulus of elasticity
increases with increasing unconfined compressive strength as per the following equation (Eq.
4):
(4)
Where Et is in Goa and UCS is in MPa.
By comparing the regression equation of the current study with other previous empirical
equations presented in fig.6, the reported equation is close to the reported equation by [25] for
basalt rock.
4. CONCLUSIONS
Physical properties of the basalt rock in Jordan were investigated in this study. From the
results of obtained in this using regression analysis the following conclusions were derived:
 The unconfined compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of basaltic rock can be
estimated based on simple linear relations between these engineering properties.
 Porosity of rock can be predicted based on the results of ultrasonic pulse velocity. The results
show that ultrasonic pulse velocity decreases with the increase in rock porosity.
 The dry density of rock can reasonably be estimated based on the results of ultrasonic pulse
velocity.
 The unconfined compressive strength and Brazilian split value of basaltic rock can be
estimated based on simple linear relations between these tests.
 The UCS was found to be correlated with Is50 through a linear relationship having slope of
23.52 for basaltic rock.

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