Author:

Keywords:

Belgium, Europe, Leuven, Geochemistry & Geophysics

Abstract:

The specific objective of this study is to correlate 'measured' dynamic elastic moduli and sound velocities of various igneous and metamorphic rocks used in the construction sector with 'computed' ones. These last values are calculated from the mineralogical composition, as determined optically on thin sections, together with the known elastic properties of these minerals. Eleven different rock types have been the subject of this study and a good correlation (R2 = 0.98) has been determined between the values for E-modulus and for the sonic velocity. The ratios between the two E-moduli (quality index - IE) and the sound velocities (continuity index - IC) have been calculated to evaluate the pore structure (microcracks and pores) of the 11 samples. It was noticed that a higher porosity corresponds to a lower continuity index and a lower 'quality index' (R2= 0.85). We can conclude that both the dynamic elastic modulus and the sound velocity can give valuable information about the durability of these type of rocks when combined with their mineralogical composition.