CVG 2102: Geotechnical Materials and Processes Laboratory 1B Rock Identification Objective:

(i). Rock Sample Numbers and Rock Sample Names are provided in a random order in Column 1 and Column 2 respectively in Table 1. Provide the Proper Rock Sample Number in Column 3 adjacent to Rock Sample Name.
Table 1: Rock sample names and numbers

Rock Sample Number Rock Sample Name Proper Sample Number 52 66 70 71 73 75 76 77 78 86 Gneiss Shale Limestone Quartzite Granite Sandstone Basalt Slate Dolomite Conglomerate

a. Give supportive reasons for your choice. b. Research and provide and details about the engineering properties/characteristics of each of the given rocks c. Consider such things as texture, minerals present, colour, fabric toughness, hardness, density, durability, chemical stability, crushed shape, and surface character etc.

CVG 2102: Soils Lab Manual, Civil Eng. Dept., University of Ottawa

CVG 2102: Geotechnical Materials and Processes Background Information:

Different Forms of Rock Rock: Rock is defined as a natural, solid mineral matter occurring in large masses or fragments (ASTM D653-97). It is a firm, hardened material that cannot be excavated using conventional earthmoving equipment. The Earths crust is formed of rocks that mainly constitute of three main groups, namely; igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. The application of the knowledge of the mechanical behavior of rock to engineering problems dealing with rock is defined as rock mechanics (ASTM D653-97). The area of rock mechanics overlaps with structural geology, geophysics, and soil mechanics. Igneous Rocks: These rocks are formed from molten material commonly known as magma that originates below the Earths surface. This material exists in the form of a dense fluid under high temperatures and pressure. The magma that is in stable condition escapes in the form of volcanic eruptions due to changes in internal stress and strains. The molten magma reaches a region of lower temperature, higher stability and solidifies into extrusive igneous rock on Earths surface. Extrusive igneous rocks generally crystallize from lava flows with finely crystalline textures or they crystallize during the explosive eruptive phases of volcanism to form tuffs, welded tuffs, and volcanic breccia and agglomerates with clastic textures. More commonly, the magma migrates upward through the crust of the earth and becomes trapped before reaching the Earths surface. Such type of rock formations is called as intrusive igneous rocks. The cooling of magma is at a slower rate if the magma does not reach the Earths surface. The rate of cooling and the different materials with which the magma comes into during the process of cooling has a significant affect on the type of grain structure developed. The crystals of the igneous rocks that are formed when magma cools slowly underground are large. These crystals are large enough to be seen with the naked eye (Note: naked eye can see individual particle sizes of 0.075 mm or higher). However, when magma cools quickly on the surface, the crystals are very small and not visible to the naked eye. Sometimes, when the magma cools very quickly, black opaque glass is formed. Common examples of igneous rocks are granite, basalt and rhyolite. Igneous rocks typically have silicate mineral compositions and interlocking textures.

Figure 1: Details of igneous rock formation

CVG 2102: Soils Lab Manual, Civil Eng. Dept., University of Ottawa

CVG 2102: Geotechnical Materials and Processes

Sedimentary Rocks: These rocks are formed by the process of deposition of disintegrated rock particles that may or may not include remains of plants and animals. The disintegration of rocks is commonly associated with transportation and due to weathering agents such as wind, water, ice, or gravity. The different size particles form into single rock through pressure, or cementation or a combination of both. The particles are gradually consolidated by the weight of the overlying soil. Some of the particles of the rock can also be cemented in the presence of water or other chemical reactions. Sedimentary rocks pose many challenges as they exhibit a wide range of physical properties, thickness and lateral extents. Common examples of sedimentary rocks include sandstone, shale, limestone and coral.

Figure 2: Details of sedimentary rocks formation

Metamorphic Rocks: Sedimentary and igneous rocks may be altered due to the metamorphic action of heat, pressure and permeation of chemicals and fluids to form metamorphic rocks. The metamorphic action may improve some engineering properties of the rock. However, some changes that result due to metamorphism may result in reductions in strength and abrasion resistance properties. Common examples of metamorphic rocks are slate, schist, and marble.

Figure 3: Details of metamorphic rocks formation

CVG 2102: Soils Lab Manual, Civil Eng. Dept., University of Ottawa

CVG 2102: Geotechnical Materials and Processes

Figure 4 summarizes rock formation cycle showing different processes required to change between the three different types of rocks.

Sedimentary Rocks
/ re su es Pr

W ea th er ing

at He

Pressure / Heat

Igneous Rocks

Metamorphic Rocks

Magma
Figure 4: Rock Cycle

Table 2 lists the engineering properties of several common rocks. These properties include: toughness, hardness, density, durability, chemical stability, crushed shape, and surface character which are defined below in the Definitions section.

Te Mo cto ve nic m en t

CVG 2102: Soils Lab Manual, Civil Eng. Dept., University of Ottawa

CVG 2102: Geotechnical Materials and Processes

Table 2: Engineering Properties of Rocks

ROCK TYPE

TOUGHNESS

HARDNESS

DURABILITY

CHEMICAL STABILTY

SURFACE CHARACTER

CRUSHED SHAPE

AVERAGE ROCK DENSITY (kN/m3)

RELATIVE ROCK TOUGHNESS

AVERAGE ROCK CRUSHER PRODUCTION FACTOR

USE AS CONCRETRE AGGREGATE

USE AS ASPHALT AGGREGATE

USE AS BASE COURSE OR SUBBASE

Granite

Good

Good

Good

Excellent

Fair to good

Good

165

1.2-2.1

0.8 0.9

Fair to good

Fair to Good**

Good

Seynite

Good

Good

Good

Excellent

Fair to good

Good

171

1.0

0.95

Good

Good

Good

Gabbro

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Good

185

1.6

0.80

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Diorite

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Good

182

2.1

0.80

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Diabase

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Fair

185

3.0

0.65

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Basalt

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Fair

178

2.3

0.75

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Felsite

Excellent

Excellent

Good

Questionable

Fair

Fair

166

2.0

0.80

Poor*

Fair

Fair-Good

Conglomerate

Poor

Poor

Poor

Variable

Good

Fair

167

1.0

1.0

Poor

Poor

Poor

Breccia

Poor

Poor

Poor

Variable

Good

Fair

160

1.0

1.0

Poor

Poor

Poor

Sandstone

Variable

Variable

Variable

Good

Good

Good

159

1.0

1.0

Poor-Fair

Poor-Fair

Fair-Good

Shale

Poor

Poor

Poor

Questionable

Fair to good

Poor

112-156

1.0

1.0

Poor

Poor

Poor

Limestone

Good

Good

Fair to Good

Good

Good

Good

166

1.0

1.0

Fair-Good

Good

Good

Dolomite

Good

Good

Fair to Good

Good

Good

Good

169

1.0

1.0

Good

Good

Good

CVG 2102: Soils Lab Manual, Civil Eng. Dept., University of Ottawa

CVG 2102: Geotechnical Materials and Processes

Chert Good Excellent Poor Poor Fair Poor 156 1.5 0.80 Poor* Poor** Poor-Fair

Gneiss

Good

Good

Good

Excellent

Good

Good to Fair

171

1.0

0.95

Poor

Poor

Poor

Schist

Good

Good

Fair

Excellent

Poor to Fair

Poor to Fair

178

Poor-Fair

Poor-Fair

Poor-Fair

Slate

Good

Good

Fair to good

Fair to good

Good

Poor

171

1.2

0.90

Poor

Poor

Poor

Quartzite

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Good to Fair

Fair

168

1.9

0.80

Poor

Fair-Good**

Fair-Good

Marble

Good

Fair

Good

Good

Good

Good

164

1.0

1.0

Fair

Fair

Fair

* Reacts with alkali-aggregate ** Anti-stripping agents should be used

CVG 2102: Soils Lab Manual, Civil Eng. Dept., University of Ottawa

CVG 2102: Geotechnical Materials and Processes

Soil Formation: Various types of soils are formed due to the continuous geologic cycle taking place on earth. Some of the important events associated with the geologic cycle that leads to soil formation include weathering, transportation, deposition and upheavel. Weathering is the natural process of disintegration of rocks. Both the physical and chemical processes are associated with weathering that leads to the formation of soils. Several environmental factors such as the periodical temperature changes that produce reversal compressive and tensile forces on the rocks, impact and abrasive action of flowing water, ice and wind can be categorized as physical forces. Chemical weathering of rocks is mainly associated with reactions such as oxidation, hydration, carbonation and leaching of by organic acids and water. Commonly cohesionless soils are formed due to physical processes of weathering and cohesive soils are formed due to chemical weathering. A majority of rocks disintegrate due to weathering over a period of time into loose mixture of soil particles that have different sizes. Figure 5 is a schematic of weathering process and its products

Rocks Temperature Change Weathering Wind

Rivers

Leaching (In-Situ)

Hill Slopes

Wind Blown

Boulders

Residual Soils Gravel Sands Silts Clays

Boulders

Sands

Cobbles Gravel Sands Silts

Cobbles

Silts

Clays

Figure 5: Schematic of the weathering process and its products

CVG 2102: Soils Lab Manual, Civil Eng. Dept., University of Ottawa

CVG 2102: Geotechnical Materials and Processes Definitions:

Engineering Properties of Rock Toughness (mechanical strength): Resistance to crushing and breaking. This property may be estimated by attempting to break the rock with a hammer or measuring its resistance to penetration by impact drills. Hardness: Resistance to scratching or abrasion. This property may be estimated by attempting to scratch the rock with a steel knife blade or nail. Soft material will scratch readily while hard materials are difficult or impossible to scratch. Density: Density is the mass per unit volume. This property may be estimated by hefting a rock sample and comparing two samples of approximately equal volume. Durability: Resistance to slaking or disintegration due to alternating cycles of wetting and drying or freezing and thawing. This property may be estimated by observing the effects of weathering on natural exposures of rock. Chemical Stability: Resistance to reaction w ith alkali material in Portland cements. Several rock types contain impure forms of silica such as opal and chalcedonyl that react with alkalies in cement to form a gel that absorbs water and expands to crack or disintegrate the hardened concrete. This potential alkali-aggregate reaction may be estimated in the field only by identifying the rock and comparing it to known reactive types or by investigating structures in which the aggregate has previously been used. Crushed Shape: This property may be estimated by breaking or crushing a sample of the rock into smaller pieces. Bulky-angular fragments provide the best aggregate for construction. Surface Character: Bonding characteristics. Excessively smooth, slick, non-absorbent aggregate surfaces bond poorly with cement. Excessively rough, jagged or absorbent surfaces are undesirable because they resist compaction, placement and require excessive cementing material. Visually inspect the rock surface and feel the surface texture to estimate this property.

CVG 2102: Soils Lab Manual, Civil Eng. Dept., University of Ottawa

CVG 2102: Geotechnical Materials and Processes

Rock Characteristics: Gneiss: A high grade metamorphic rock, grey or pink with dark streaks and layers. Gneisss texture is medium to coarse-grained, characterized by discontinuous, altering light and dark layers. The light layers usually having a coarsely granular texture while the darker layers, often containing mica are finer, and may be foliated. Gneisss structure tends to be banded on a large scale with layers and streaks of darker and lighter coloured Gneiss. Granite, Quartz, and Pegmatites viens are common and may also be folded. Gneisss mineralogy is predominately Feldspar with some Quartz forming the granular, lighter coloured layers. Muscovite, Biotite and Hornblende are commonly present, while any of the minerals characteristic of higher grades of regional metamorphism may occur. Limestone: A carbonate rock composed primarily of the mineral calcite , (CaCO3). Limestone typically forms by the chemical or biological precipitation of the calcite as a soft sediment or mud on the bottom of a tropical seabed. Limestone is seldom pure calcite but usually contains variable amounts of clay, silt, sand and nodules, or globs, of Chert (SiO2). Much of the ancient limestone of the Earth has been converted to Dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) as magnesium rich solutions seeped through the rocks during and after consolidation and solidification. Limestone is a sedimentary rock that forms either by the accumulation of shells, shell fragments, or coral fragments, or by the crystallization calcite in the surrounding water. Quartzite: Is composed of Sandstone that has been metamorphosed. Quartzite is much harder though it looks similar to its parent rock. It forms from Sandstone that has come into contact with deeply buried magma. Quartzite from Sandstone can be differentiated by to breaking and examining these rocks. Sandstone will shatter into many individual grains of sand while Quartzite will break across the grains. Granite: Is an intrusive igneous rock with coarse grained size particles and has typically light colours. Granite is commonly formed by a slow-cooling process and it is the mineral equivalent of Rhylolite. Granite is primarily composed o f Quartz and Feldspar and is highly resistant to chemical weathering. Sandstone: Is a sedimentary rock composed of sand-size particles that constitutes of Quartz. Sandstone is a coarse-grained, sedimentary rock consisting of consolidated masses of sand deposited by moving water or wind. The chemical composition of Sandstone is the same as that of sand and is composed essentially of Quartz. The cementing material that binds together the grains of sand is usually composed of silica, calcium carbonate, or iron oxide. Shale: Is a sedimentary rock composed of very fine, clay-size sediment particles. Shale is the common name applied to fine-grained varieties of sedimentary rock formed by the consolidation of beds of clay or mud. Shale exhibits fine laminations that are parallel to the bedding plane. Shale will break in an irregular, curving fracture. Shale is usually composed of mica and clay minerals, but the grains are so fine that the rock seems to have a homogeneous appearance, and individual minerals cannot be identified without the aide of a microscope. Most varieties of shale are colo ured in various shades of grey, but other colo urs, such as red, pink, green, brown, and black also exist. Shale is soft enough to be scratched with a knife and feels smooth and almost greasy to the touch. True shale differs from clays in their lack of plasticity in water. Dolomite: Is a sedimentary rock composed of calcium and magnesium carbonate; usually limestone altered by magnesium -rich brines. Dolomite is composed of the mineral of the same name. The mineral dolomite is a calcium-magnesium carbonate, CaMg(CO3)2. It is seldom in a pure form but contains variable amounts of sand, silt, clay and chert. These "contaminants" occur as scattered grains and clumps and as layers or lenses within the dolomite. The name dolomite refers to both the CVG 2102: Soils Lab Manual, Civil Eng. Dept., University of Ottawa 9

CVG 2102: Geotechnical Materials and Processes

rock and mineral. Dolomite is hard and withstands weathering well. The rock is now more frequently called the Dole stone. Conglomerates: Distinguished from sandstones by having a significant percentage (i.e. >25%) of clasts greater than 2 mm in size. Conglomerates samples are characterized by rounded clasts, while Conglomerates samples containing angular clasts are called Breccias. In a clast-supported Conglomerate or Breccia, clasts are in contact with one another and a finer grained clastic matrix or chemically-precipitated cement partially or wholly fills the pore space. The volume fraction matrix or cement is sufficiently large in matrix-supported Conglomerate or Breccia to completely separate clasts. Oligomict Conglomerate or Breccia have clasts of a single rock type while polymict Conglomerate or Breccia have clasts of several different rock types. Basalt: Is a bubbly, crystalline , igneous rock type, dark in colour , heavy, iron-rich and silica-poor, volcanic rock that makes up most of the world's oceanic crust. It represents the Earth's upper mantle. Slate: Contains fine grained minerals not visible with the naked eye or with a hand lens, shows slanted cleavage, and is usually dark in colour with a dull shine. The different colours of slate are due to the presence of different minerals within the rock. Black slate caused by the presence of graphite, red and purple from iron oxide, and green from chlorite. Slate is a product of low-grade metamorphism of shale or mudstone with a foliated textured typically composed of clays, Mica, and Chlorite and easily splits into flat pieces. The parent rock of Slate can be Shale, Claystones, and rarely, volcanic ash. Rhyolite: Is a fine-grained light coloured volcanic rock, chemically identical to obsidian. Colour may range from white, through gray, and yellow to reddish-pink. Sometimes used as a raw material for lithic tools . Magmatite: Is a foliated, quasi-metamorphic rock that is the product of high pressure and temperatures that are near melting point of rock. Magmatite is the transitional rock between Gneiss and Igneous rock. Gneissose: Minerals or rocks that have the structure of Gneiss

CVG 2102: Soils Lab Manual, Civil Eng. Dept., University of Ottawa

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