Characterization of Rock Material Through Point Load Test Index, Granulometry, and Dimensions of Specimens

Abstract

Abstract The characterization of rock material in mining projects is important, specifically with respect to compressive strength, since this parameter establishes safety factors for slopes in quarries and/or fortification systems for tunnels. This work proposes a simple and practical application methodology. It is proposed with accessible tests in situ, such as granulometric indices and point load test index, to more than a predetermined dimensioning of the specimens. The physical properties mentioned are established in a simple but methodical way; and in this work, 180 tests have been carried out on specimens of the same material, from the sector called Cojitambo, province of Ca nar (Ecuador). The results obtained allow the characterization of the rock, establishing for this work that the point load test index has values between 3037 MPa and 4992 MPa, which categorizes rock material as a class of hard rock. It was concluded that the proposal avoids the permanent sending of samples to the laboratory, saving time and money, therefore, a calculation methodology has been structured for the stated objective.

Keywords

• granulometry, compression, rock, point load test index.