Rock analysis to characterize Saudi soft sandstone rock

As more engineering projects and activities are taking place on and around weak rocks, it is becoming more important to study and characterize them. Since regular practices of rock mechanical testing are not effective for weak rocks, special laboratory tests and measurements were performed to characterize the Alkharj Saudi weak sandstone rock which is a clastic rock dominantly sandy limestone and sandstone. Test results are presented in this paper. Porosity, permeability, and mechanical properties (stress, strain, Poisson's ratio, confined compressive strength and unconfined compressive strength) were obtained and then used to characterize the proposed weak rock. This paper provides a mean of classifying weak soft rocks despite encountered problems in handling and testing such materials.

Automated summary

This paper studies the characteristics of weak sandstone rock in Alkharj, Saudi Arabia, by conducting special laboratory tests and measurements. The results include porosity, permeability, and mechanical properties, which are used to classify weak soft rocks despite challenges in handling and testing such materials.