APPENDIX A

Mechanical Properties of Rocks

The most important mechanical properties of rock materials for engi-

neering design and failure analysis are the elastic properties and strengths
of intact rocks and also strengths and stiffnesses of rock joints. The
properties given in this appendix are the typical properties of some
known rock materials which have been tested in laboratory for various
applications. It should be noted that these properties may vary signifi-
cantly depending on geological location, chemical compositions, inter-
nal defects or fissures, temperature, regional seismic activities, loading
history, age, dimensions of test specimens, and many other factors.
The typical values listed in Tables A.1 through A.3 should therefore be
used for reference only. Any real life design calculations and fracture
mechanics analysis should be based on the properties obtained from
in-situ measurements and/or laboratory tests performed on rock samples
taken from the location under study.
Although the test methods are standardized, some of the values given in
Tables A.1 through A.3 cover a broad range indicating the substantial
property difference for the same rock material taken from different
locations.

Petroleum Rock Mechanics

DOI 10.1016/B978-0-12-385546-6.00001-2
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Table A.1 Elastic properties of typical rock materials. (Gerecek, 2007; Pariseau, 2006).

Rock Type Elastic Properties

Poissons Isotropic Elastic Isotropic Shear
Ratio Modulus (GPa) Modulus (GPa)*
Igneous Plutonic Granite 0.100.32 7.899.4 3.241.1
Gabbro 0.200.30
Diorite 0.200.30
Volcanic Andesite 0.200.35 1.283.8 0.4934.2
Pumice 0.100.35
Basalt 0.100.35
Metamorphic Non-foliated Marble 0.150.30 35.988.4 14.636.1
Quartzite 0.100.33
Metabasalt 0.150.35
Foliated Slate 0.100.30 5.981.7 2.534.0
Schist 0.100.30
Gneiss 0.100.30
Sedimentary Clastic Sandstone 0.050.40 4.690.0 1.936.7
Siltstone 0.130.35
Shale 0.050.32
Chemical Rock Salt 0.050.30 1.299.4 0.541.4
Limestone 0.100.33
Dolomite 0.100.35
*
aaa Shear modulus is calculated by substituting average Poissons ratio and elastic modulus from table above into Equation 4.8.
Table A.2 Strength properties of typical rock materials.

Rock Type Strength Properties

Tensile Strength Shear Strength (MPa) SUC (MPa)
(MPa)
Igneous Plutonic Granite 725 1450 100250
Gabbro
Diorite
Volcanic Andesite 1030 2060 100300
Pumice
Basalt
Metamorphic Nonfoliated Marble 1030 2060 35300
Quartzite
Metabasalt
Foliated Slate 520 1530 100200
Schist
Gneiss
Sedimentary Clastic Sandstone 225 840 20170
Siltstone
Shale
Chemical Rock Salt 525 1050 30250
Limestone
Siliceous
Table A.3 Specific gravity, porosity (Pariseau, 2006) and permeability of typical rock materials.

Rock Type Other Properties

Specific Gravity Porosity Permeability
(%) (mm2)
Igneous Plutonic Granite 2.62.7 0.39.6
Gabbro 2.73.3
Diorite 2.83.0
Volcanic Andesite 2.52.8 2.742.5 10 420(fractured)
Pumice 0.50.7
Basalt 2.83.0
Metamorphic Non-foliated Marble 2.42.7 0.91.9 10 910 5(unfractured)
Quartzite 2.62.8
Metabasalt 2.52.9
Foliated Slate 2.72.8 0.422.4
Schist 2.52.9
Gneiss 2.62.9
Sedimentary Clastic Sandstone 2.22.8 1.821.4 10 50.1
Siltstone 2.32.7 10 420
Shale 2.42.8 10 82  10 6

Chemical Rock Salt 2.52.6 0.336.0 2  10 51

Limestone 2.32.7
Siliceous 2.22.4