Effects of water content and dimensions of rockfill particles on their strength and deformability

• Grant number: 18/11928-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2018
• End date: July 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Geotechnical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Massao Futai
• Grantee: Gustavo dos Santos Sardinha
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Tensile strength and modulus of elasticity are important characteristics of rock particles used in rockfill constructions. These properties are commonly determined from specimens taken from the matrix rock. Due to quarry operations for taking rockfill blocks, these properties are modified. Since it is necessary to reduce the material gradation for laboratory test in granular media, it is important to understand the variation of the mechanical properties in different particle sizes. Other important factor is to understand the effect that the water content causes in rock proprieties, since the humidity is present has the whole life of the rockfill. The aim of this project is to analyze the effect of water content and particle size on the tensile strength and elasticity modulus of basaltic rocks particles. The Point Load Test (PLT) is a test used to determine tensile strength very applied in rocks and concrete, it allows the rapid execution and obtaining data in field and laboratory without a previous preparation of the sample. Therefore, it will be used by the research group GeoInfraUSP of the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo to test particles of rockfill. The study will be performed through PLT trials, instrumented with Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT), in basaltic rock particles with different dimensions and varying the water content of these particles.