Study on uniaxial compressive strength, point load strength index, dynamic and physical properties of serpentinites from Central Greece: Test results and empirical relations

Although, many studies have been carried out to determine physical, dynamic and mechanical properties and to establish relationships among them for several rocks, only few have been focused on serpentinites. Determination of the mechanical properties, such as uniaxial compressive strength (the most fundamental property in any geotechnical work) is usually difficult for these types of rocks because preparation of the standard size cores from serpentinites is quite difficult. This paper presents the physical, dynamic and mechanical properties, investigates the relationships among them, and attempts to derive reliable, empirical approaches for the determination of uniaxial compressive strength, formed from the above-mentioned properties, for serpentinites. For this purpose, a variety of serpentinite samples, taken from the Othrys and Kallidromo mts (Central Greece), were tested in accordance with ASTM and ISRM standards. The same samples were subjected to petrographic studies. The results were statistically described and analyzed using the method of least-squares regression. (C) 2009 Elievier B.V. All rights reserved.