A proposal to obtain a scale factor between rock masses and laboratory specimens

M.C. Torres-Suárez

In the proceedings of: GEO2011: 64th Canadian Geotechnical Conference, 14th Pan-American Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 5th Pan-American Conference on Teaching and Learning of Geotechnical Engineering

Session: Mining and Rock Mechanics

ABSTRACT: Five years ago a new proposal to obtain a scale factor between rock masses and their respective laboratory specimens had been development, showing good results in according to estimates from classification rock masses schemes (Q, GSI, RMR). In this paper are commented the fundamentals (Brillouin, 1946), step by step, and application for some real examples, in order to offering a wide spectrum of the proposed method, which stars with the characteristic wave length () and their internal spatial dimension (a) that are in relationship and allows calculating an inherent scale factor firstly; then, from the proposal include here is possible to establish a relation between those inherent scale factors, each for rock masses and laboratory specimens. Recently was determined by the author (Utica Colombia) a scale factor (mechanical properties as c, E, G and Bk reduction factor) of 38%, high-lighting a deep gap between the laboratory specimen properties of and those assigned to the rock mass.

RESUMEN: Hace cinco años el autor presentó una propuesta para determinar un factor de reducción de propiedades físico mecánicas entre macizos rocosos y especímenes de prueba en laboratorio, la cual ha arrojado resultados coherentes con los que provienen de sistemas de clasificación de macizos rocosos (Q, GSI, RMR). Se describen los fundamentos del procedimiento (Brillouin, 1946), paso a paso, y su aplicación en varios casos, ofreciendo así un espectro amplio de aplicaciones, iniciando con la determinación de la longitud de onda característica () y la dimensión espacial interna (a), relacionadas entre sí, conllevando al cálculo de un factor intrínseco de escala; con dichos factores es factible relacionar las condiciones del macizo y laboratorio. Recientemente el autor determinó un factor de escala en un macizo rocoso (Útica Colombia), que arrojó un resultado del 38% para sus propiedades mecánicas, respecto de las determinadas en el laboratorio.

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