Characterization and Mechanical Properties of a Conglomeratic Rock From Costa Rica, Central America

Jiménez, D. A. (Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro) | da Fontoura, S. A. B. (Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro)

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ABSTRACT: The mechanical properties of conglomeratic rocks are difficult to study by conventional laboratory tests. On the other hand, in-situ tests are more representative to establish the mechanical properties of these materials but, in general, take a long time to execute and represent a high cost for projects. This paper presents a methodology to obtain the mechanical properties of a conglomerate, using the results of a numerical modeling study carried out in virtual rock samples. A conglomeratic rock from Costa Rica was used as a study case. To determine the validity of the estimation, the results from the numerical modeling were compared with data from in-situ tests performed in the same conglomerate. 1 INTRODUCTION Many engineering works in Costa Rica are developed in conglomerates. The engineering design of these works requires a comprehensive protocol for characterization and for evaluation of the mechanical properties of these materials. The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) is currently studying the largest hydroelectric project in Central America, El Diquís Hydroelectric Project (PHED). For this project, it is expected to have open cut sections up to 110 m high, underground excavations with a span between 6 m and 32 m, and a foundation for the 170 m high concrete face rockfill dam. The conglomeratic rocks found in the area of study are classified as unwelded bimrocks (Sonmez et al. 2009). These rocks, in essence, are a mixture of good-quality blocks, embedded in a less competent matrix, whose shear strength and deformability are mainly ruled by the volumetric block proportion (VBP) (Lindquist 1994). This paper presents some of the in situ investigations carried out to describe the conglomerate of the Paso Real Formation. Samples representative of the matrix were obtained and tested in laboratory scale for both physical and mechanical properties. Field tests were carried out in order to obtain deformability and shear strength. Jiménez (2015) presents a full description of the laboratory tests and field works. The paper also presents a methodology to incorporate blocks within a fine-grain matrix and generate the rock properties through numerical experiments. Synthetic samples are generated in order to represent the conglomerate in the field. The numerical experiments results compare well with the field test results.

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