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COURSE : SAW
DURATION : 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTION TO CANDIDATES:
WARNING!
Students caught copying/cheating during the examination will be liable for
disciplinary actions and the faculty may recommend the student to be
expelled from the study.
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SECTION A: GEOLOGY
Q1. Sedimentary rocks are formed by the aggregation of almost any solid
particles found on the earth surface. Based on the statement, answer all the
following questions.
(2 marks)
(2 marks)
c) Size and shape of the grain particles can be used to evaluate the history of
the sedimentary rock? Discuss.
(4 marks)
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Q2. Discontinuities is one of the major factors that can weaken the strength of
rock mass.
(2 marks)
(3 marks)
(4 marks)
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(2 marks)
(5 marks)
c) Evaluate the factors and issues to be considered when you are designing a
high rise building in a limestone area.
(6 marks)
a) List and describe five (5) factors that influence the rock material strength.
(5 marks)
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This section consists of two (2) questions Q1 and Q2, answer all the questions from
this section.
Q1. Specific rock properties dictate its suitability for use as construction materials
or, as part of structure components. The properties are commonly verified
through laboratory tests. However, careful consideration on the use of rock
properties obtained from laboratory test is essential in designing the related
structure in the rock mass. Factors like small-scale and large-scale
discontinuities in rock, degree of weathering and type of loading impose on the
rock mass all requires careful consideration when lab data is used as input
parameters in design.
(25 marks).
(a) Based on the nature of load/stress that is likely to act on a rock mass, name
one type of laboratory test (index, indirect or strength test) that is important
to verify the relevant rock properties for the construction activity/structure
listed in Table B1? (Write your answer in column 3 of Table B1)
(5 marks)
(b) UCS of fresh (Grade I) rock sample obtained from lab test is 100 MPa. If
portion of the rock body, where the rock sample is collected, is slightly
weathered to Grade II, calculate the range of UCS values for the weathered
portion of the in situ rock? [Take the range of values of SRF for Grade II
rock is between 0.25 and 1.0 in Fig. B1].
(2 marks)
SAB 2712/ SAM 3722
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(c) With respect to discontinuities in rock mass, explain why strength of rock
material obtained from lab test, such as uniaxial compressive strength
(UCS), is always higher than the mass or in situ strength of the rock?
(3 marks)
(5 marks)
Using test data for Sample X and Sample Y in Table B3, plot stress-strain
curve for both samples?
(6 marks)
Based on the stress-strain curves plotted for Sample X and Sample Y, which
curve represents loading orientation (1), and loading orientation (2) as
depicted in Fig. B2)
(4 marks)
SAB 2712/ SAM 3722
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The typical material properties for ROCK MASS A and B, obtained from lab
tests are listed in Table B4 below.
Primary wave velocity, Vp m/s 4000 – 6000 m/s 1500 – 2500 m/s
(25 marks)
(a) Verify which tunnel will be subjected to a higher overburden stress (σv)?
2 marks)
SAB 2712/ SAM 3722
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(b) The rock core samples obtained from ROCK MASS B is shown in Fig. B4
with core recovery of 100 %. Calculate the RQD value for this core?
(4 marks)
(d) Name two (2) properties listed in Table B4 which may be used to indicate
that ROCK MASS A is denser than ROCK MASS B?
(2 mark)
(e) Based on the appearance of the in situ rock mass in Fig. B3, give an
explanation why it will be easier to excavate in ROCK MASS B?
(3 marks)
(f) It is predicted that the induced compressive stress (σc) at the walls of the
tunnel is approximately equals to 3 × [overburden stress, σv]. If the
compressive strength of the in situ rock mass in the tunnel walls is
approximately equals to 1% of its laboratory compressive strength (UCS),
which tunnel will exhibit failure at its walls?
(4 marks)
SAB 2712/ SAM 3722
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(g) For both tunnels A and B, the requirement for rock stabilisation system is
unavoidable, and the expected modes of instability that will occur in the
tunnel walls are listed in Table B5. For each mode of instability listed in the
table, recommend a suitable method for stabilisation? State also whether the
recommended method is ‘rock support’ or ‘rock reinforcement’ system?
(Write your answer in column 3 and 4 in Table B5)
(8 marks)
SAB 2712/ SAM 3722
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FKA.B.PP.06.Ed.1
COURSE : GEOLOGY & ROCK MECHANICS COURSE CODE : SAB 2712/ SAM 3722
COURSE : GEOLOGY & ROCK MECHANICS COURSE CODE : SAB 2712/ SAM 3722
WEATHERING DESCRIPTION
RESIDUAL SOIL; ORIGINAL TEXTURE
STRUCTURE AND MINERALOGY
VI COMPLETELY DESTROYED
Fig. B1: Strength Reduction Factor (SRF) for rock at different weathering grade
SAB 2712/ SAM 3722
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FKA.B.PP.06.Ed.1
COURSE : GEOLOGY & ROCK MECHANICS COURSE CODE : SAB 2712/ SAM 3722
2. Joints
3. Faults
COURSE : GEOLOGY & ROCK MECHANICS COURSE CODE : SAB 2712/ SAM 3722
COURSE : GEOLOGY & ROCK MECHANICS COURSE CODE : SAB 2712/ SAM 3722
20 m SANDY CLAY
SANDY CLAY 40 m
140 m
ROCK MASS B
ROCK MASS A
TUNNEL A TUNNEL B
Fig. B3: Proposed circular shaped tunnel in ROCK MASS A and ROCK MASS B
SAB 2712/ SAM 3722
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FKA.B.PP.05.Ed.1
COURSE : GEOLOGY & ROCK MECHANICS COURSE CODE : SAB 2712/ SAM 3722
130 mm
90 mm
90 mm
75 mm
100 mm
120 mm
135 mm
1500 mm (core length)
220 mm
75 mm
95 mm
70 mm
70 mm
KEY:
COURSE : GEOLOGY & ROCK MECHANICS COURSE CODE : SAB 2712/ SAM 3722
No. Mode of instability & factor leading to instability Recommended stabilisation Rock reinforcement OR rock
system support
1. Extensive groundwater flowing into the tunnel and induces high
pore-water pressure within the fractured rock in the tunnel walls.