EFFECT OF YOUNG’S MODULUS AND MINERALOGY ON ROCK STRENGTH

Abstract

The mineralogical composition is one of the main properties controlling the rock strength.
Mineralogical properties between unconfined compressive strength and Young's modulus and X-ray
fluorescence spectrometer were assessed for four rock types, including basalt, limestone, sandstone, and
siltstone, collected from different places in the new administrative capital of Egypt. During this respect, the
present study presents correlation equations between the unconfined compressive strength and Young's
modulus and X-ray fluorescence spectrometer of rocks. More than Seventy of specimens are prepared and
tested of rocks. The mineralogical composition was determined by X-ray diffraction. The abundance of
quartz and calcium oxide can affect rock strength. A high percentage of quartz and calcium oxide gave high
strength to the rocks. This study indicates that there is a straight-line correlation between unconfined
compressive strength and quartz for basalt, limestone, and siltstone rocks. This study indicates that there is a
straight-line correlation between unconfined compressive strength and calcium oxide for sandstone rocks
only. The proposed equations are valid only for selected rocks in the new administrative Capital of Egypt or
close to it.