INFLUENCE OF CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND MINERAL CONTENTS ON SANDSTONE STRENGTH

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a laboratory investigation on chemical properties, mineralogical content, mechanical properties of the rocks, the influence of the chemical and mineral contents on the rock strength. Experimental works were conducted to investigate the effect of chemical content on rock strength, particularly in sedimentary rock of sandstone. These experimental tests include Alkali-Silica Reactivity (ASR), Petrographic Image Analysis, Unconfined Compression Strength (UCS), shear strength and tensile strength tests. The relationships and correlations of chemical properties, petrographic minerals characteristics and engineering properties of sixteen sandstone samples using simple regression analysis and bar chart were presented herein.  The abundance of quartz minerals, carbonate minerals and cement in the sandstone can increase the compressive strength of the rock. Carbonate minerals in the rock can easily dissolve and significantly reduce the compressive strength. The quantity of harmful minerals (opal, chalcedony, volcanic glass, cristobalite, tridymite and cryptocrystalline quartz) is less, showing insignificant shear strength and uniaxial compression strength