Influence of Particle Shape and Texture on Broken Sandstone Strength Behavior

• Author / Creator

  Balideh, Saleh

• A good understanding of the behavior of broken rock helps us to make more informed decisions regarding geo-structures. The geometry of particles and confining pressure play a significant role on the behavior of broken rock. Angularity, form and texture are three parameters that represent the geometry of a particle. Investigating the effect of particle geometry on the frictional sliding, rolling resistance and packing density not only is important to determine the behavior of broken rock but also is the key point to understand the post peak behavior of a rock mass at low confining pressure. Previous work showed that the particle shape formed after peak strength dominate the post peak behavior of a rock mass at low confining pressure; therefore, the investigation of the broken rock particle geometry can help explain the post peak behavior of a rock mass. The particle geometry characteristics have different impacts on the broken rock behavior. For example, an increase of the aspect ratio increases the rolling resistance while decreases the packing density.
  The following question drives this dissertation: How does the particle geometry affect the broken rock behavior?
  
  In order to answer the question, this study pursues three objectives:(i) determining the particle geometry through employing image processing techniques; (ii) determining peak strength of broken rock through triaxial compression tests; and (iii) investigating the broken rock behavior through using the particle geometry.
  The main contribution of this thesis to the body of knowledge is a better understanding of broken rock behavior through investigating the impact of particle geometry characteristics on the broken rock behavior at low confining pressure.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Confining Pressure
  • Texture
  • Triaxial Test
  • Broken Rock
  • Shear Strength
  • Void Ratio
  • Angularity
  • Form

• Graduation date

  Spring 2015

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Doctor of Philosophy

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3NG4H09N

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.